Shackelton 1718 | Ysterplaat SAAF Museum | November 2024

Every Saturday is open day at Ysterplaat Air Force Museum. The facility is not far from Milnerton near Cape Town. Renn and I were there for the next installment of our research into the story of Shackleton 1718 and the Stettynskloof air crash of 1963.

We met John Wilson, Chairman of the Friends of the SAAF Ysterplaat Museum. John introduced us to his colleague Greg. Later on we met Norman, the vice-chairmen. The entire museum is run by volunteers. Hundreds of visitors, including Lindsay Seymour and her son Ben, visited the various hangers, all full of planes of every description, including Shackelton 1722, the last surviving Shackelton.

Shackleton 1722 is still airworthy although it no longer flies. However, every second month they fire up the engines. I was told this is an event not to be missed. The next time this happens is on Saturday 7 December. In addition to the engine start-up the museum itself is world class and worth a languid morning visit.

Wherever we looked there were men of a certain age (our age), all busy. Some braaiing (burgers and boerie rolls) for the many visitors. Others working on old planes and related equipment. All as content as I have seen any collective of men. Sanding wood, buffing shiny metal. Talking with authority on the provenance of each and every item on display. Many with a military background. Hardly surprising as all will most likely have done national service as young men. These guys have found their tribe. Together they do a fabulous job in preserving the illustrious history of the South African Air Force.

"We rely on volunteers" said John, "always looking for more" as he eyed us, figuring that Renn looked the more likely of the two of us to have restorative and maintenance skills. His intuition was spot on. Renn offered to donate some of his surplus tools to the Museum.

We spoke about the Shackleton 1718 disaster. John shared his knowledge on what happened that fateful day of 8 August 1963. It seems as if the official accident report might have left out a few pertinent facts. I shared my somewhat fanciful theory about an unauthorized flyover past McGregor and a “waggle of the wings’ at one Desiree Barry, girlfriend of 2nd navigator on the flight, 2nd Lt. George Smith. John thought this scenario to be highly unlikely. I’m not going to abandon it just yet, it makes for a good story.

John filled me in on the 60th anniversary reunion last year. It had been his idea. We spoke about a joint initiative to track down further relatives of the 13 crew. The cemetery at Plumstead was also discussed. Gravestones need to be made for the three graves that are unmarked. A memorial plaque also needs to be erected next to the graves.  We exchanged numbers, sowing the seeds of future cooperation.

Shackleton 1718 binds all three of the Freedom Challenge cycling community, Stettyns Family Vineyards and the Ysterplaat SAAF Museum.  These are early days but my sense is that if these three groups work together going forward, we can preserve the memory of the plane and crew of Shackleton 1718 for future generations. Not forgetting Desiree Barry of course, she will not be forgotten either.

Before we left I asked young Ben Seymour if he would like to be a pilot one day. “Of course” he replied. Take your kids to Ysterplaat, such a pleasant surprise, you will not regret it.   Entrance is free but they welcome (and need) donations.