I should probably start by saying that I love South Africa. Stunning scenery, great food and wine and friendly, welcoming people. What more could you ask for? Not only that, but as a nation, South Africans seem to have a great sense of national pride and awareness of their heritage. Pleasingly, this awareness extends to aviation heritage, with several unique operators of wonderful classic aircraft, such as the world famous “Thunder City” at Cape Town International. A more recently established operator with a great pedigree in classic aircraft operation is Skyclass Aviation of Johannesburg.
Skyclass Aviation was established in late 2006 by Marilyn Andre as a private entity to manage and operate the assets of the former South African Airways Historic Flight. Unusual amongst major airlines, SAA had preserved a selection of its former airliners in flying condition, even going so far as to visit Europe and North America with its classic airliners.
A change in corporate policy brought about the transfer of the assets of the Historic Flight to the newly established SAA Museum Society. In order to keep the airworthy aircraft flying, Skyclass Aviation was set up, and has now become an established name in the specialised air charter business.
Currently the fleet of aircraft operated by Skyclass consists of three DC-4s and three DC-3s. Two of the DC-4s and one DC-3 are the SAA Museum Society aircraft and are leased to Skyclass for operations. In addition the company has a further DC-4 (also on lease) and two DC-3s of its own. Most of the aircraft now reside in the Denel Aviation industrial complex at OR Tambo International where Skyclass has a well equipped hangar complex able to hold a pair of DC-3s, or a single DC-4 - with some fairly precise towing!
Previously, the aircraft were based at the much smaller airfield at Rand, but earlier this year, Skyclass moved to OR Tambo International, which is Johannesburg’s main international airport. This move brought a huge improvement in airfield facilities and also had the benefit of offering a simpler connection service for clients arriving from scheduled international or domestic services.
Currently two of the DC-4s and one of the DC-3s are available and used for specialised air charter services for both the tourism and corporate markets, operating within South Africa and beyond if required. The passengers are treated to first class travel with a nostalgic feel, including crew dressed in period attire to provide a unique travel experience. Popular destinations include national parks within South Africa and in the neighbouring countries, or flying safaris to more distant places such as Victoria Falls.
All of the aircraft operated by Skyclass have rich histories and are all genuine ex-SAA aircraft carrying colour schemes in which they served the airline in their operational days. The oldest of these aircraft is DC-3 ZS-BXF, which boasts two stints with both SAA and the South African Air Force. Beginning life as a C-47 transport in the SAAF during WWII, the aircraft flew transport missions in the Far East. With the end of hostilities, several surplus SAAF Dakotas were transferred to SAA to supplement the Lockheed Lodestars used on its services. After a career of almost 25 years, ZS-BXF was one of several aircraft withdrawn and sold… back to the Air Force!
After a second spell “in uniform”, ZS-BXF was once again acquired by SAA and allocated to the Historic Flight. After a thorough restoration she made her debut at the Vereeniging Airshow in 1993, bearing the name “Klapperkop” and carrying a representative 1940s SAA colour scheme. She remains active and leads a busy life operating a variety of charter and sight seeing flights.
The larger aircraft in the fleet consist of a pair of DC-4s, both delivered new to SAA in the 1940s. These aircraft are registered ZS-BMH and ZS-AUB and both share a similar history. Oldest of the pair is ZS-AUB ‘Outeniqua‘, delivered new to SAA on 10th May 1946. ZS-BMH ’Lebombo’ was in fact the last DC-4 built by Douglas and was completed in April 1947.
Used initially on domestic services, as the DC-4 fleet grew, it took over the international services, especially the prestigious “Springbok Service” from Johannesburg to London. After the arrival of the Lockheed Constellation in 1950, the DC-4s were relegated to domestic and regional services, before being retired during the 1960s. ZS-AUB and ZS-BMH were amongst several aircraft sold to the SAAF on retirement. In common with the DC-3, the aircraft once again returned to SAA on retirement from the SAAF - ZS-BMH in 1993 and ZS-AUB in 1995.
Today both DC-4s are immaculately restored and maintained by Skyclass. ZS-BMH carries a colour scheme reflecting its delivery scheme, and the SAA colours of the 1950s, whereas ZS-AUB carries the spectacular orange tail scheme in which it flew during the 1960s. Both aircraft reside at OR Tambo Intl, where for reasons of space they often share the ramp with withdrawn and derelict jet airliners. The contrast between the immaculate classics and younger but dilapidated jetliners could not be more marked. It is also ironic to reflect that these jet airliners were once the replacements for workhorses such as the DC-4, but they find their final resting place alongside veteran aircraft which will remain in use for many years to come.
Operating alongside these immaculate passenger carrying aircraft are two further DC-3s. The first of these is ZS-CAI, which remains a real workhorse, carrying cargo five times a week between Johannesburg and Gabarone, Botswana. The other is a more recent acquisition, with an interesting history.
ZS-LVR was delivered in 1944 to the USAAF as a C-47A, serial 43-16009. Later that year, after entering service in Alaska, the aircraft was apparently forced to make an emergency landing in a snow storm and abandoned, being salvaged by Salvage Elmendorf in 1948. Between that time and 1990, the aircraft served with a variety of civilian operators throughout the US, under a variety of identities, finishing up at Miami with Starflite Corporation as N5000E. At some point in its career it acquired a non-standard nose section, believed to have housed developmental radar equipment.
Embarking on a new career, the aircraft arrived in South Africa in 1990, being operated by Bazaruto Air Charter at Lanseria Airport and registered ZS-LVR. Later it flew for National Airlines and Nelair Aviation Services, before being acquired by Marilyn Andre for Skyclass in May 2008. It is currently in the process of receiving a full restoration to allow it to operate charter flights once again and will make a great addition to the fleet.
Currently the Skyclass operation is confined to these classic aircraft, but the company plans to expand its exclusive charters, to include operating more modern aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Fokker 100. These aircraft will allow Skyclass to offer higher capacity and longer range charters, which maintain their unique flavour.
As the last company to be licensed to carry passengers in the DC-4, Skyclass faces some unique challenges in operation and maintenance. However, thanks to a superb team of engineers and administrative staff, they are able to maintain a very high standard of operation, with the aircraft being meticulously and lovingly looked after by a very professional team. With the move to OR Tambo International and plans to expand their operation in the near future, Skyclass Aviation looks set to be a familiar name for many years to come.
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