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Cape Town - One of the most legendary aircraft in South African aviation will be departing local shores for a 12-day journey to its new home in Germany.
Springbok Classic Air's Dakota DC-3 left its base at Rand Airport on Monday morning, setting off for Lanseria for the first leg of the trip.
(Springbok Classic Air/Facebook)
Purchased by captain Flippie Vermeulen in 2010, the pristine refurbished DC-3, registered as ZS-NTE became well known for its spectacular 20-minute 'safari flights' over Johannesburg, normally conducted every last Saturday of the month. It has also been one of the showstoppers at local airshows, both on its own and when joining in on radial formations.
However, the vintage 1948 aircraft has been sold to German businessman and aviation enthusiast, Peter Adrian.
(Springbok Classic Air/Facebook)
Based in Trier, Adrian has a special interest in preserving classic aircraft and currently owns, among others, a T28 and Beech 18.
He finally came upon Springbok Classic Air's Dakota after a lengthy search for a DC-3 and expressed his delight at her excellent condition and upkeep.
Refueling at Ondangwa, Namibia (Springbok Classic Air/Facebook)
While a modern commercial flight from Johannesburg to Germany can be completed in less than 12 hours, the Dakota's journey is going to take place at a snail's pace, over 12 whole days.
After transiting Africa, the plane will find its new home at one of two German air bases - either Zweibrücken EDRZ or
Luxembourg ELLX.
(Springbok Classic Air/Johan Kruger/Facebook)
Vermeulen will rather appropriately be in charge of the ferry flight, along with Captains Ulrich Spielmann and Noel Flynn, who both work for Cargolux Airlines based in Luxembourg.
(Springbok Classic Air/Facebook)
Springbok Classic Air will be keeping aviation enthusiasts posted about the Dakota's progress with daily updates on their site and Facebook page.
(Springbok Classic Air/Facebook)
The route for the delivery flight will be as follows:
Day 1 25 May, departing Rand Airport, clearing customs at Lanseria, to Ondangwa.
Day 2 26 May Ondangwa – Kinshasa – Libreville
Day 3 27 May Rest day
Day 4 28 May Libreville – Accra
Day 5 29 May Rest day
Day 6 30 May Accra - Bamako – Dakar
Day 7 31 May Rest day
Day 8 01 June Dakar – Las Palmas
Day 9 02 June Rest day
Day 10 03 June Las Palmas – Cascais
Day 11 04 June Rest day
Day 12 05 June Cascais – Avignon - Luxumbourg
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