South African Air Force Museum — Attraction in Tshwane Ward 66

During Airshows or other performances, this place is fantastic!

However, outside of those specific days, the management is a disaster and trying to visit the museum is almost a lost cause.

Their hours and open days are meaningless, so you have to make sure they are open by calling or emailing. However NONE of the phone numbers even ring at all. The emails go unanswered, even ones sent months ago.

I came to visit the museum a week or two ago and they were closed, but I was assured that they would be open on Saturday the 24th. I double checked with them multiple times as it is a very far drive for me, all good. I arrive on Saturday and they say no they are closed. This is the 3rd time this has happened to me, I know others who have tried far more times and have still, to this day, not seen the inside of the museum outside of an airshow.

I understand that this is a military base first and foremost, but having a working phone number is...

If you are a flight enthusiast like myself this is a must. The exhibition itself needs to be cleaned and updated as it needs serious upkeep.

Expect a bit of a walk as you cannot park inside AFB Swartkop but just outside in the public parking space. There are 3 hangars filled with old aircraft and old related articles such as engines and the like. To get in you have to fill out a form and make a donation of any amount which isn’t compulsory but welcomed if you want to see this museum maintained.

After visiting the hangars you can go close to the landing strip where there is a collection of more fighter jets, an Avro Shackleton and a few other aircraft on the tarmac. It’s a self guided tour so you can take your time and also get really close to these aircraft. Expect to walk. The Officers are friendly and very welcoming and I can’t wait to go back for the upcoming air shows.

Hope that in time this museum can be restored...

🛩️☢️🧃 Five out of five stars for a museum that charmingly redefines the term "run-down." The only person I could find was the caretaker. During the obligatory entry of my personal details in the register, I noticed that the last guests had been here seven days ago. Wow. He kindly opened the four dusty hangars for me personally. Inside, Mirage fighter jets, relays from the Bronze Age of IT, and thorium-contaminated exhibits await, although warning signs at least kindly point out that they might be a bit radiant. There's no lighting, no explanatory panels, and it smells of 80s rubber, waste oil, and government failure. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For connoisseurs of well-maintained military decay, this place is a paradise. And if you get thirsty, the military café even serves water from PET bottles and chips with Soviet charm. Two hours passed...