Based at the “Old Transvaal Aviation Club” at Rand Airport in Germiston, the museum houses a fascinating collection of airline artefacts such as photographs, aircraft instruments, timetables, documentation and memorabilia from bygone era. Amongst its collection of static aircraft are two Boeing 747s – a B747-200 and a B747-SP. The museum, a volunteer, non-profit organisation, was founded in 1986 with the aim of preserving the history of civil aviation in South Africa. This was sparked off by the purchase by SAA of the famous Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft. Members of the SAA Museum Society assisted in the restoration of “Tante Ju” to flying condition and are proactive in preserving aviation history. One of the museum’s aims is to create an awareness of the greatness of South African aviation. The static display aircraft are used to their fullest extent for aviation awareness programmes and fund raising for the museum and are available for corporate related functions, conferences, product launches, award ceremonies and weddings.

The museum also owns a fleet of operational classic propeller driven aircraft, two Douglas DC-4 Skymasters, a Douglas DC-3 Dakota and the beloved Junkers Ju 52/3m. These aircraft are used for safari charters to Southern Africa’s exotic tourist destinations as well as for “scenic flights” around Johannesburg and environs. The training of aircraft technicians and cabin crew takes place at the museum’s facilities. Maintenance procedures undertaken as training exercises assist the museum with its preservation tasks, as well as being beneficial to students and apprentices who get an opportunity to work on “the real thing”.

Researchers may make use of the museum’s library, which contains over a thousand aviation related books. Members of the public are welcome to visit the museum. There is an entrance fee. Guided tours are available for school and larger groups. Booking is essential for large groups. A restaurant alongside the museum complex, serves scrumptious food and refreshments.