Air France offered a good deal for a ticket to Joburg via Paris (what a misstake to use them) Arriving at JNB and picking up a rental car - a brand new Golf 1 from 2005. The hotel we prebooked via the internet did not live up to our expectations. No electric plugs for our computers and cameras, room seemed to be hostel style and the fact that somebody already lived there was to much for us! We called for the manager and told him we were not happy. He gave us the money back and wished us "really good luck with finding something else to this price". We then drove to one of the airport hotels (think it was  a 4 star) which offered us a deal at lower cost than the fleecircus we just escaped from! This was our new headquarter and the restaurant in the lobby turned out to be a really good one!


Day 1:
Very keen to start the photography, we rushed to the approach 03R and after a short while the first aircraft appeared - a DC-4!!! Great start of the trip but the weather was crappy.


When bored enough of dull approach shots we used the weather as excuse for doing some regocnition. We drove off to the maintenance aprons at the east side of the field and tried almost every small road we could find and suddenly a gate appeared which by the time were opened. Nobody bothered when we drove in and we started at the far end where the three ex Premiair DC-10's were parked. We found some bizjets and some of 1time's aircraft, continuing to the 748 workshop and then when passing the gate again we were stopped by security. They asked for our permission (which we didn't have) and after explaining and excusing us  we were finally told to make a visit at the airport authorities in the terminal before we came back. Not much left to come back for as we got most of it anyway!

Day 2:
Morning next to 03R from the other side due to the light. Perfect when you can sit in the car and wait. Traffic was slower than we expected and you get quite lazy. Lateron switching side of the approach and also an excursion to the maintenance area of SAA as we knew there should be a constellation somewhere around. From the rooftop of a nearby parkinghouse we got a decent view of the apron noticing the 747SP going to the museum as well as an old Vickers Viking next to the Connie. From a nearby industrial area we got a quick glance of an ex United 744 going for Corsair, one of the SAA Historical Flights DC-3's and an Air Tanzania 732 resting engineless.

After spending the morning at Joburg we took of for Rand Germiston, home of Phoebus Apollo, SAA museum and loads of other older props. The Carvair was home but not accesible from the road. We found a gate who let us in. On those small fields you simply drive along the taxiways and watch out for aircrafts. Phoebus Apollo had some DC-4's at home plus the smiling ugly one. Then out again and continuing to the terminal where SAA museum is located. From the tower balcony it was just enough with 28mm on the 747 but the Loadstar was not accesible from here. Downstairs again and a small chat with the security guy ended up with us signing papers that he was not responsible for what we did inside and with that paper in his hand he welcomed us to walk the rest of the aprons. An ex DHL CV580, a Catalina, couple of DC-3's and DC-6's, some bizjets and a SAAB 340 among others.


When ready with our succesful visit at Rand we headed for Vereenigen, a place supposed to be a L410 heaven. I read about it some weeks earlier and they were supposed to be very friendly and helpful, opening up hangars and even take aircrafts out for you. Propably the treatment you usually get - if there was someone there... Totally empty little field with everything closed and no people at all. One L410 resting between some hangars being our only catch. Fun thing with the registration on this one as we used to have three 747's in Stockholm very near (3D-NED, NEE, NEF).


Back to Joburg before sunset, this time heading for lineups 03L. Staying for a short while before last rays of light was gone really was worth it. Not every day you get TriStars any longer. In the background you can see maintenance area where the three ex Premiair DC-10s were parked.



Day 3:
Runways 03L/R in use for landings and we drove between them all day as some of the intersting ones used the wrong one. The Air Zimbabwe Xian MA-60 was a good one this trip. The company went into financial troubles shortly after and was grounded for a while. Many new prefixes for my collection with Malawi and Gambia being two of them.


Day 4:
Morning along the approach for runway 21L. Clear blue sky and light almost to bright even for 1/500 f9.5... Today it was time for a little roadtrip up north.


When it was time to leave Joburg, we made a quick one past the Comair hangars where we made some recognition before. A 737 classic from Canada nowadays without reg and two Namibia colored CN235's V5-CAN and ZS-OGE were the only ones accesible from landside. The apron was a bit elevated and some treeclimbing was necessary but well worth the effort.


On the way north we passed Waterkloof AFB where the 707 tankers are based. Nothing to see here at all except the Buccaneer at the gate.


At Swartkop AFB which was very close to Waterkloof, the Airforce Museum can be found as well as SAA Historical Flight at the time of our visit. This is an active Airforce Base and we were very surprised about what happend here. We parked outside the gate and had to fill some forms with purpose of our visit and personal details etc. They explained it was to know who was visiting. That make sence. What did not make sence was we were asked to keep this form with us during our visit and leave it when we came back! We then started with the museum and then, without anybody to ask, we headed for the DC-4's in the southern part of the hangar area, walking by the active helicopter apron. Great hospitality met us by the busy staff at SAA. They were preparing to move everything to Joburg in a couple of weeks. Due to runway works at Waterkloof, the Airforce were in needs of their hangar and we were very lucky to be here now as Joburg wouldnt give public access to the aircrafts. Two DC-4's, the Ju52 and the DC-6B were here today and in a corner of the hangar we found the fuselage of DC-3 ZS-BXJ.


At Wonderboom Pretoria great hospitality was shown. We were driven around the airfield getting pictures of most aircrafts including the row of DC-3 fuselages being part of the Turbo DC-3 conversion program. We also found a Learjet with the same registration as Nationwides 767, it was overpainted though.


Our next stop was Lanseria, I had contact with them in advance and we were already in their system. We picked up our badges and was instructed what aprons to visit. We had to walk but that was no problem. A great number of Gulfstream 1 as well as F28, 727 and 737. This was the main base of Nationwide.


When done with the aprons at the main side, we drove around the field with intention to try get the sole Nationwide 1-11 left in the scrapcorner. We found a gate next to the bizjet aprons where we showed our passes. No problem except we couldn't bring the car. Another walk in the dazzling sun, touring all the aprons before finally reaching the far corner where the 1-11 fleet used to be parked. The axeman made a great job and all but one of the Nationwide fleet were gone (within I think 2 years). Only left for us were the Rwandan 1-11, an ex Parcel Force Viscount and the Liberia registered DC-6.


Well you can't go to Africa without having a safari tour. After leaving Lanseria, a quick look at the map showed we had a park just next to the town. We made a small tour an hour before closure and saw some Rhinos, Chipmunks, Deers and numerous birds. The Tigerpark was closed already so no cats to be seen but we were quite happy anyway!



Day 5:
JNB, checkin problems with Air France...



Day 6:
JNB ramp