SAAF AIRCRAFT

Shackleton 1716 (J)
No. 1716 J took part in the retirement ceremony at D.F. Malan airport on 23 November 1984 and was flown to SAAF Museum Swartkops. It was refurbished to flying condition for the SAAF Museum. The aircraft was to display as part of the SAAF Museum's Historic Flight in the UK - '94 season. Following an engine change in Abidjan, the aircraft departed on the night of 12-13 July '94 for the final leg, but en-route lost two engines in succession on the same side, therefore forced to make an emergency wheels up landing in the Western Desert, near the border with Mauritania, at 0135 GMT. No lives were lost, but the aircraft was abandoned as it was damaged beyond repair and the crash site was too remote for a recovery operation. Some of the crew returned to crash site 3 years ago to find the aircraft completely stripped.

Shackleton 1717 (O)
No. 1717 O carried out the first long range flight to Marion Island on 22 March 1957. Currently on display at Midmar Dam, Kwazulu Natal. Since moved to transport museum Stanger. Re-sparred.

Shackleton 1718 (K)
No. 1718 K Struck a peak of the Wemmershoek Mountains and crashed into Stettynskloof. A part from the engines there are very few identifiable bits, and the largest bit was an approximately 3m section of wing. Total flying hours 777.

Shackleton 1719 (L)
No. 1719 L withdrawn from service on 24 April 1978. Displayed at Stellenbosch airfield, later moved by the SAAF under considerable expenses to the Waterfront in Cape Town. Seen that these aircraft were part of Cape Town throughout their careers, it would've been the ideal static display area. The Waterfont is visited by thousands of foreigners each year. However, the aircraft was found to be in the way of future expansion and the SAAF was asked to move the aircraft again. The SAAF museum, already on a shoe string budget had to bear all the costs for the second time. In the end the different parties could not reach an agreement. Out of frustration, the SAAF removed the aircraft and sold it as scrap - it has now been cut up. A sad day for enthusiasts of these aircraft!

Shackleton 1720 (M)
No. 1720 M on display outside NCO mess, Ysterplaat AFB, Cape Town. Withdrawn from service on 10 March 1983.

Shackleton 1721 (N)
No. 1721 N on display SAAF Museum, Swartkops, Pretoria. Took part in the retirement ceremony at D.F. Malan airport on 23 November 1984.

Shackleton 1722 (P) - "Pelican 22"
Took part in the retirement ceremony at D.F. Malan airport on 23 November 1984. Following seven years in storage, No. 1722 P was flown from D.F. Malan to AFB Ysterplaat for the SAAF Museum. At the controls was Lt Gen James Kriel, then Chief of the Air Force and once OC of 35 Sqdn. The aircraft was refurbished to flying condition by a small group of enthusiasts, led by W/O "Pottie" Potgieter . It is currently the only airworthy Mk. 3 in the world! But with less than 90hours flying time left - time is catching up very fast with P1722. Thanks to a handful of dedicated enthusiasts who ensure the pristine condition of this grand old lady of the sky - visitors to air shows are treated to at least two flying displays per year. The aircraft recently moved to AFB Ysterplaat.

Shackleton 1723 (Q)
No. 1723 Q on display above Vic's Viking Garage in Johannesburg. Retired from service on 22 November 1977.

RETIREMENT