Happy Xmas and Prosperous 2014

Wishing all my blog followers a Happy Xmas 2013 and Prosperity in 2014

A few Aircraft related festive photos:

Of Shackletons and Vikings

Of Shackletons and Vikings

Steve Sheckter posted a grand old photograph above of the Vickers Viking that used to sit on top of Vic's Viking Garage (Filling station) on the Old Potchefstroom Road near the Uncle Charlies' Interchange in Johannesburg. 

In later years (1987) this aircraft was removed, and a restoration projects started. It was replaced by one of the Avro Shackletons from the SAAF, and that aircraft remains there to this day.
Sadly it does not appear that the restoration was completed. 
I hope to the contrary


As I child it was one of my biggest thrills to go past this filling station, and occasionally stop there to fill up. I think my Dad was aware of this, and indulged my aviation lust. He also took me to the Jan Smuts Airport to watch planes occasionally. 

(My other great thrill was driving to Pretoria on the Ben Schoeman highway, and seeing acres and acres of WW2 vintage armour and soft-skinned vehicles at Snake Valley.)


Pictured below is the removal pf the Viking and installation of the Shackleton:

Seeing this post has piqued my interest, and  I have found the following images and story:

The Vickers VC.1 Viking was a twin-engined short-range airliner derived from the Vickers Wellington bomber. The initial nineteen production aircraft (Mark 1A) carried between 21 and 24 passengers. The fuselage was metal but the geodetic wings and tail planes were fabric covered.

The aircraft has two Bristol Hercules 630 engines. These are 14-cylinder two-row, sleeve valve, air-cooled radial engines developing 1,690 hp each.

The VC stands for Vickers Commercial, sometimes also called Vickers Civil.

Built at the Vickers-Armstrongs factory in Weybridge, England, c/n 121 first took to the air on 30 August 1946, registered as G-AHOT with British European Airways and was used in the 1948 Berlin Airlift. On 26 September 1954 she was sold to Trek Airways, registered ZS-DKH and operated in Protea Airways colours, a second airline of Trek, and for many years, transported hundreds of passengers on leisurely and scenic flights between South Africa and Europe. She even starred in the film, “Kimberly Jim” with the late Jim Reeves.

After 13.881 flying hours she was disassembled and transported by road to Armadale south of Johannesburg, where, in January 1963 she was lifted on to the roof of the Vic de Villiers “Vic’s Viking Service Station” where she became a famous, if forlorn, landmark.

On 5 March 1987, the Viking was replaced by SAAF Shackleton 1723 and donated to the SAA Museum Society. The Viking’s wings were removed and she was towed to Jan Smuts Airport.

Unfortunately 20 years plus later, in 2008, the aircraft had not been restored and was a tatty hulk standing not too far from the engine run-up bay at OR Tambo International Airport.

More on the history of the SAAF Shackletons: a 2-part post on those magnificent ladies.
(Click on link)

First Flight for NZ Mosquito

Mosquito in NZ Skies:

From World Warbird News: Mosquito FB.26 KA114 flew in Auckland recently

 Several videos showing the event are available on Youtube:

NZ Mosquito takes to the air

SAAF Black and White Historical Photo's

From my collection of South African Air Force Black and White Images. 

My late cousin, Nick Barkhuizen was a photographer with the SAAF. 

He flew in Canberras during the Border War. I think I got these from him.

 I'm not sure if these are his work, or reprints of photographs taken by somebody else. 

Any help in attributing them correctly will be appreciated. 

I also have some large format colour photos, possibly taken by Herman Potgieter, 

which I'll post when I find a scanner big enough.

(Click on the images for a larger view)

B.E Canberra taking off

  

One that came a cropper

Canberra in Air superiority grey (?)

 Dassault Mirage F1 AZ

Dassault Mirage III EZ 

SA Navy Westland Wasp with Divers about to take the plunge

Aermacchi MB-326M Impala Mk. 1.(Built by Atlas)

Bosbok over Hartebeespoortdam (Looks like Cosmos ? I'm guessing by the Kariba weed in the picture)

Piaggio P166  Albatros 

DALLAS MAKES ME WANT TO PUT ON ALL MY JEWELRY AT THE SAME TIME

I tried it...

But seriously, rhinestones everywhere. On socks. On hats. On baby carriers. I am in the Sparkle Capital of the World. And I am loving it. But beneath all the bling, Dallas is also, among other things, the capital of BBQ, wide roads, drive-through Starbucks, SUVs in the drive-through Starbucks, big skies, friendly hellos, and great shopping. At one point, I got out at a gas station, where "America, America!" was blaring from the speakers, no fewer than six people said hello as if my personal existence made life worth living, the long horns over the door were wider than my car, and they were serving free wine samples inside (non-alcoholic, one hopes). I shed a big Texas tear. Because you can't shed small tears in Texas - everything is jumbo sized.

As are the deals... first up, the Buchanan Flea Market, where shoppers were sprinting up and down the aisles with gleeful abandon (or maybe that was just me), and there was, yet again, no danger of a sparkle shortage.

Trying on a beautiful vintage 1940s bracelet.

Real. And no longer available on the world market.

Alligator with alligators!

Gobs of furs... so many sellers had "recycled" furs - vintage pieces that had been meticulously cleaned, and if needed, restored and relined.

This booth had a scad of rabbit fur coats. For $18 a piece. SHUT UP.

Yes, you should "Decorate Your Boots."

My next stop was the fantastic Area 25, a home new and consignment items store and staging company, on West Lovers Lane - oh it was love alright. I was in love with EVERYTHING.

Chinoiserie chairs...

So many beautiful mantel displays. Their staging expertise certainly shows in the store.

Fabulous malachite tables atop a cowhide rug. So Tony Duquette goes to Texas, no?

Speaking of furs, yet again, Area 25 had a stunning selection of cowhides. I was amazed at what great rugs they make (very flat and easy to walk on). This one was a true stunner - it's speckled with silver paint!

An artful pile of still more rugs...

And yet another beautifully colored cowhide. The prices were lovely too - $350 to $550 (for the silver beauty).

The turquoise marble lamp base was incredible. You can't tell in the picture, but this is actually a matched set. What doesn't Dallas have?

All images, my own. Please attribute.

FALL'S BEST NON-TREND

Fall, 2009....

...Season of the Snood. They were everywhere - and around every neck. The Wall Street Journal, in a fit of fetish, even declared that the snood was going to "save Christmas." But one year later, this relic of 20th century female propriety has again gone the way of, well, propriety, as designers offer scarves and collars as the au courant insulation against chill. 

Which is why I'm on a mission to save the fur snood! Why not? It's stylish, elegant - and need I mention the practical factor? - WARM. And despite a lack of runway presence, there are still plenty available, in many looks and prices. Here are a few cheap and chic options for fur fabulosity:

Or, break the bank on fine furs that will feel marvelous.

One of the best sources of fur snoods is vintage - don't overlook Ebay, local vintage stores, or grandma's closet! The snood also goes by the names neck-wrap, fur collar, cowl, and muffler (keep that in mind while searching). 

A few more looks from '09...

So, do you wear a snood? Are you going to start this season? 

Images, all group shots from Fashion Time; products: Shop Bop, TopShop, NY & Co, Forever21, Coach, Burberry, Helmut Lang. 

FAVORITE FIND FRIDAYS

Two shopping "scores" this week:  yesterday, I blogged about the recent Target shoe collaboration, Miss Trish of Capri. THEN, I swung by Target, and ended up with these sassy wedges from their other latest collaboration, Cynthia Vincent for Target. Fantastic stuff. I loved the tan 'n gold (see pathetically grainy phone photo below), and they come in black and yellow too. Did I mention they're only $29.99?

Next up, vintage Vera scarves. I posted this picture last week of a framed Vera scarf, an example of a great way to decorate with scarves around your home. 

Second shopping score:  when I was out vintage shopping this week, I came across not one, but two vintage Veras! A steal at $9 for 2! I haven't decided how to use them yet, but I have options. Frame or wear?  

What about you? Any great finds this week? Do share!

Target ad image. Cynthia Vincent for Target.