BIG T-6 Harvard

[Guest]

I will be re-painting a full size ex SAAF T-6g Harvard that will be put up on a pole at my local flyng field.

It is in shambles of a state these days, but hopefully it will look much better within a few weeks time.

I re-covered the fabric on the rudder today and will start the priming on Thursday if the weather holds up.

I post a pix of the condition of it now and a pic of my 1/48 SAAF T-6 so you lads can get an idea of what it will hopefully look like.

Theuns

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[Guest]

I was just imformed that it will be hoisted onto the pole today and I will have to paint it 5m in the air on scaffolding.......that will be fun!

Theuns

[Dave W]

Sounds a bit like the company i work for,doing things the hard way!.Didnt the SAAF do a fly past with around 50 T6's a few years ago to mark the types retirement?.I used to work at Stansted Airport (England)With some ex SAAF guys and i remember them talking about it.

[Guest]

They did the mass flypast some time ago, it looked good!

The plane has been standing on the groung for years now and it has to be lifted today, not 2 weeks later as planed on!

I guess it just keeps life interesting.

Theuns

[yak face]

Hi theuns, good luck with the painting, its going to look superb im sure, cheers tony

[Guest]

It will not be "meseum quality" because of painting outside on a pole, but it should look stacks better than now!

T

[Guest]

Here it is sofar. The orange painting was done on Fryday in 5 deg cold and extremely gusty weather......not fun atall!!!

I need to still do the right wing and tail and "decals" then she will look a tad better.

Theuns

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[yak face]

Looking good theuns, 5 degrees you say!!? it looks lovely and warm on the photo!!LOL cheers tony

[Guest]

For us here in Africa it is COLD!!!

Just behind the planes is the area where the cold snow winds come from and it is pumping I'll tell you.Masking was real "fun"

Theuns

[Guest]

Well, here it is all shiny (although slightly dusty) and new.

Glad that is finnished!!!

Behind the T6 you can see an Atles Impala Mk1 used by the SAAF "silver falcons"

Theuns

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[Guest]

Theuns you really did it justice and under some extreme conditions ,nicely done Sir!

[Guest]

Thanx, yes I mus tsay that the job was not eazy out in the open.

Theuns

[Ian M]

Nice work Theuns. 5deg. or not you made a great job of it.

Ian M

[saguy]

hi theuns - great job .... i understand the reference to the cold bit ... these past few weeks have been a little on the chilly side here on the highveld. Have also sent yr pics onto a colleague of mine who is huge SAAF and SANDF fan (see his comments below) ..... cheers Lindsey

There are over 1,00 of these flying in the U.S. My brother-in-law in Houston had 2 ex-SAAF (7246 and 7767) but has since moved them on for a tidy sum. I find the SA Aviation scene distressing when I see things left to rot

[Guest]

Yes it is a pitty that this plane is in such a poor state, due to the corotion on the wings it will never fly again :-(

It flew here from the Congo IIRC and was stationed at the appy school and then went on the pole, a waste if you ask me.

In the US they are a dime a dozen!

A mate of mine here in SA collects them and hs 6, all different Mk's , even one in RAF Desert colours.

Theuns