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Public Gallery>John Schmidt (dc8schmidt@twc.com)>Miscellaneous>
Remembering South African Airways
The year was 1929, when Union Airways was formed, much like other pioneer airlines, as a mail carrier. By 1934 passenger services had been undertaken, but the airline was in distress.  The South African government took over the operation, adding Southwest Airways a year later, forming the South African Airways which operated until 1940.
Following the war, service was restarted with a fleet of Lockheed Lodestars, and soon thereafter, the Avro York was temporarily used to provide an air service to England. By 1946, DC-4s were introduced, and the airline emerged as a modern international airline.
A long history of excellence and professionalism followed, both domestically and internationally. But the political revolution that ended apartheid also gradually impacted the operations of South African, and today we most likely are about to witness the end of this great airline.
Following is a post card history of  South African Airways.
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Enlarge photo 1 South African JU-52s #3 KCF
A splendid Junkers issue from 1934 showing the original South African fleet of JU-52s.
Enlarge photo 2 South African JU-52s #2 KCF
This vintage German Publisher card, using the previous image, also shows the 3 original JU-52s in formation.
Enlarge photo 3 South African JU-52s #1 KCF
A Bruno Hallsman issue of the first 2 South African JU-52s in 1934
Enlarge photo 4 South African JU-52 #1 KCF
This rare Real Photographs issue, kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu, shows the fourth JU-52 received by South African. It's fate is unclear.
Enlarge photo 5 South African JU-52 #3 KCF
A very nice Avimage issue of the restored JU-52 in flight. The original ZS AFA went to Varig in 1938 and was written off at Porto Alegre in 1942
Enlarge photo 6 South African Lockheed Lodestar #1 KCF
South African began receiving the new Lockheed Lodestars in 1940, but their entry into service was mostly delayed by the war. ZS ASJ, shown on this rare Real Photographs issue, was the first delivered.
The Lodestars served until 1955, when a number of aircraft were sold to East African.

Enlarge photo 7 South African DC-4 #4
The post war South African Airways took delivery of 6 newly built DC-4s in 1946, the second of which is shown on this first of 5 SAA issues.
Enlarge photo 8 South African DC-4 #5a
An outstanding image of ZS AUB in flight.
Enlarge photo 9 South African DC-4 #1
An iconic image of ZS AUB flying in front of Lion's Head Mountain.
Enlarge photo 10 South African DC-4 #2a
An excellent South African issue of ZS AUB over Johannesburg. The airliner is restored in the later 1960s SAA livery.
Enlarge photo 11 South African DC-4 #3
A final view of ZS AUB on a SAA issue
Enlarge photo 12 South African DC-4 interior #1KCF
An excellent South African issue, illustrating the DC-4's interior and cabin service.
Enlarge photo 13 South African DC-4 #7KCF
Perhaps the most famous DC-4, ZS AUB was restored and remains  operational with South African Historic Flight.
Card kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

Enlarge photo 14 South African DC-4 #8KCF
Another South African Historic Flight issue, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.
Enlarge photo 15 South African DC-4 #6KCF
This splendid DC-4 was the last DC-4 delivered, on August 9, 1947. It, too is fully restored and operational.
Enlarge photo 16 South African DC-4 #9KCF
Another excellent view of ZS BMH
Enlarge photo 17 South African DC-4 #10KCF
A nice image which serves to remind one of SAA's original connection to South African Railroad
Enlarge photo 18 South African DC-4 #11KCF
A spectacular view of the restored ZS AUB
Enlarge photo 19 South African DC-3 #2 KCF
Although I've found no vintage cards of South African's DC-3s, the South African Historic Flight issues provide an excellent view of the airliner as it appeared in the 1940s.
Enlarge photo 20 South African DC-3 #1 KCF
South African Historic Flight issue shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.
Enlarge photo 21 South African DC-3 #3 KCF
This outstanding Avimage issue also shows the restored DC-3 in flight
Enlarge photo 22 South African Viking
South African acquired 8 Vickers Vikings in 1947, which operated only until 1950, when sold to British European.
This is a not a postcard

Enlarge photo 23 South African Constellation #1
In 1950, four new L-749 Constellations were acquired to handle services to Europe. Shown on this South African issue is ZS DBU, the 4th Constellation received.
Enlarge photo 24 South African Constellation #4GS
An excellent South African issue of ZS DBR, South African's first Constellation, kindly shared by Greg Smith.
Enlarge photo 25 South African Constellation #3
A rare color card of South African's ZS DBR. All four of the Constellations ended their service with Ace Freighters of England.
Enlarge photo 26 South African Comet 1 KCF
In 1952, the Comet I was introduced on South African's route to England, leased from BOAC,  the Comet flew until the break up of flight 201 over Stromboli in April, 1954. Card is a rare South African issue, by courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu.
Enlarge photo 27 South African DC-7B #1
February of 1956 brought the new DC-7B to South African's inter continental routes. This South African issue shows ZS DKE, the 2nd DC-7B in flight over Johannesburg.
Enlarge photo 28 South African DC-7B #2
This outstanding South African issue features ZS DKD, the first DC-7B delivered to South African on February 26, 1956. After 10 years of service it was sold to Transair of Sweden.
Enlarge photo 29 South African DC-7B #4KCF
This rare over-length DC-7B card, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu,  was used to promote travel on South African, rather than foreign carriers.
Enlarge photo 30 South African DC-7B #3MC
This rare South African issue shared by Mike Charlton, shows ZS DKD in the later South African livery. A card at the top of my want list!
Enlarge photo 31 South African Ramp
A nice South African issue, showing some of South African's active airliners in the late 1950s.
Enlarge photo 32 South African Viscount 800 #5 KCF
This stunning Vickers issue, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu, shows ZS CDT,  the first of 8 Viscount 800s operated by South African. After 14 years of service, this aircraft was sold to British Midland.
Enlarge photo 33 South African Viscount 800 #2
This A P C publications issue Provides a nice view of ZS CDT, deplaning passengers.
Enlarge photo 34 South African Viscount 800 #1
A South African issue showing the Viscount in flight over Capetown
Enlarge photo 35 South African Viscount 800 #3
A nice South African issue of a Viscount at Bloemfontein
Enlarge photo 36 South African Viscount 800 #4MC
A very rare in flight view of the South African Viscount in it's 1960s livery, kindly shared by Mike Charlton.
Enlarge photo 37 South African 707-320 #2
In May of 1960, South African took delivery of their first 707-344. Various 707 models flew for South African for 20 years. The card is an early South African Issue.
Enlarge photo 38 South African 707-320 #1
The same image was cropped and rotated slightly to create this more appealing 707 card.
Enlarge photo 39 South African 707-320 #3
Another nice in flight SAA issue
Enlarge photo 40 South African 707-320 #4
An early South African issue showing ZS CKD, boarding passengers.