Aviation Museums › Air Force & Military Aviation
The national museum of the South African Air Force, established in 1973 and headquartered at Air Force Base Swartkop at Zwartkops, near Centurion in Gauteng. Additional branches operate at AFB Ysterplaat near Cape Town and in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). The museum preserves restored SAAF aircraft and is open to visitors most weekdays 08:00–15:00.
Founded 1973Address Air Force Base Swartkop, Zwartkops, Centurion, Gauteng, 0001, South AfricaOfficial website ↗
Notable Exhibits
- Avro Shackleton MR.3 — Maritime patrol aircraft that served the SAAF until 1984
- North American P-51 Mustang — Legendary Second World War fighter used by the SAAF
- Atlas Cheetah C — South African-developed development of the Mirage III
- Blackburn Buccaneer — Carrier-capable strike aircraft operated by the SAAF from the 1960s
- Dassault Mirage F1 — Frontline fighter of the Border War era
- Atlas Impala — South African-built jet trainer and light attack aircraft
- Supermarine Spitfire — Second World War fighter restored by the museum
- Replica Patterson No. 2 biplane — Replica of the first South African-designed aircraft from 1910
Founded on 26 October 1973; the museum's Swartkop branch occupies the historic World War I-era aviation structures of AFB Swartkop.
A 'flying museum', with restored aircraft such as its P-51 Mustang in airworthy condition.
Branch at AFB Ysterplaat preserves the SAAF Museum's collection in the Western Cape.
Verified 2026-09-13 · SAAF Museum – South African Air Force official site, South African Air Force Museum – Wikipedia