SAA Orange Tail

NO. 77

MAY/MEI

1970

 

HOPE BECOMES REALITY

Thirteen newly qualified travel hostesses were recently presented with their wings by Mr. A. M. Conradie, Chief Executive, in the Cabin Services Building at Jan Smuts Airport. Among those present were senior members of the staff, members of the press and parents and friends of the successful candidates. In a short address Mr. Conradie stated that he was looking forward to the day when second generation hostesses would be joining the flying ranks of SAA. Mr. Conradie and ail those present were surprised and delighted to learn that one of the mothers present had indeed served with SAA as an air hostess as far back as 1947 during the propeller-driven aircraft era. Thus the recruitment of second generation hostesses had already begun and Mr. Conradie’s hopes were therefore, realised on the spot. Mrs. McGregor, formerly hostess Beatrix Lategan and still as attractive as at that time can be seen in our photo (above) with her daughter Sherrilou and Mr. Conradie. To the left is a photo taken in 1947 of the then Miss Lategan in SAA regalia of the day. Another highlight of the day was when Miss Marion Messerschmidt was presented with a St. Johns cup by Mr. Muller (First Aid Instructor) for having attained top marks in this category. It is believed that Marion, who was born in Hamburg, Germany, is distantly related to the famous Messerschmidt aviators of Germany – her late father having been a Junkers test pilot. In expressing our heartiest congratulations to the new hostesses we sincerely hope that many of them will become milage “millionaires” without a “hitch”.

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EX A.O.I. ITALIAN COLONIALS REUNITE

Approximately 70 immigrant families, all ex Italian Colonials from erstwhile “Africa Orientale Italiano” (Ethiopia) gathered for a reunion picnic at Gillooly’s farm near Johannesburg on Sunday April 5, 1970. Mr. M. Maio, SAA’s District Sales Manager for the Italian Community, who spent his childhood in Asmara, Eritrea during World War II, combined pleasure with duty and presented each of the 50 or more children present with a beach ball bearing the South African Airways’ logo. The gesture was greatly appreciated by both young and old. In the photo­graph some of the children can be seen proudly displaying their SAA gift. In addition to a truly South African “Braai­vleis” (barbecue) the group had plenty of beer and wine to wash down the national dish of Ethiopia, “Zighini” which is a type of chicken peri-peri garnished with chili.

Young Italian immigrants with their SAA beach balls.

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METRICATION PROGRESSING

According to Dr. S. J. du Toit, Manager of the S.A. Bureau of Standards Metrication Department, the progress made with the change-over to the metric system is most encouraging and if this is sustained there is every hope that South Africa will basically be a Metric Country within a few years. The textile and leather industries would be fully metricated, by the end of 1972, all building work would be executed in metric units by the end of 1973 and the Chamber of Mines had prepared a comprehensive programme whereby the mining industry as a whole would be metric by the end of 1971. The advantages of the Metric System were so great that nothing should be laid in the paths of organisations which wanted to change over. Dr. Du Toit advised that the key to a smooth changeover was the availability of metric measuring instruments assized in correct units. Wherever possible, people should not be expected to work with two systems simultaneously and conversions should be reduced to the minimum. It was even better not to convert at all. Here’s something for drivers to start with: 5/8 of a mile = 1 Kilometre – or should we refrain from conversions?

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NEW HEAD GIRLS

Congratulations to Miss Babs de Villiers, S.A.A’s newly appointed Chief Hostess smiling happily on our photo. Heartiest congratulations also to the two new instruc­tresses Misses Neil Haasbroek and Soekie Mentz as well as the four new Check Hostesses Misses Daleen Basson, Dina Taute, Heleen du Plessis, Ruth Claasen.

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TWO S.A.A. BOEINGS TO GET `ELIXIR’

Two South African Airways Boeing 707′s are to be given a “youth treatment” which will keep them flying for three times their normal life. SAA has awarded a R114,000 contract to BOAC, its oldest pool partner, to carry out major life extension work on its two Boeing 707B models. The airline has three types of Boeing 707′s – A, B and C models. The A models were given an extended life after they had been modified by the technicians of the Belgian airline, Sabena.

LONGER LIFE

The changes, which give longer life to the long range jets, have all been incorporated at manufacture in the C models bought by the airline. The work on the two B model Boeings would give them a”life” of 90,000 flying hours – or about 30 years – instead of the normal 30,000 hours. The Boeings which are to be modified by BOAC are still a long way from the end of their normal working life, but the work is being carried out earlier to fit in with SAA’s needs. Each of the aircraft will spend six weeks in London between June and August while the modifications, involving about 13,000 man-hours for each aircraft, are carried out.

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OUTOMATISASIE

Een van die modernste papier-optelmasjiene is in die S.A.L. se afdeling publikasies op die Jan Smutslughawe in werking. Terloops, daar is net drie van hierdie eenhede in die Republiek. Die werking is elektronies en die program­meerstelsel kan links voor gesien word. Met ‘n drom wat 50 vakkies bevat kan die eenheid 25.000 velle papier per uur optel en in volgorde vir boekbinding plaas. Sou dit gebeur dat die masjien ‘n bladsy mis of ‘n dubbel­blad optel kom dit onmiddellik tot stilstand en flits dit ‘n liggie of ‘n M’ vir mis, of ‘n D’ vir dubbel en kan die operateur die fout onmiddellik regstel. Hierdie masjien werk ‘n groot besparing in arbeid en tyd in die hand.

Die blitsige papiersorteermasjien in die onderafdeling publikasies. Die groot wenteldrom wat 50 vakkies velle papier neem kan duidelik gesien word.

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OBITUARY

We mourn the demise of Johan van Tonder, Senior Flight Engineer, at the comparatively young age of 39 years – a spritely young man who was indeed well liked for his outstanding friendly personality. He was an ardent sportsman and excelled in both smallbore and .303 bisleys as well as golf. Johan’s final flight, SA.233, arrived from London via Ilha do Sal on Thursday April 9. Shortly after landing he was admitted to hospital with cerebral haemorrhage and his sudden passing away, on April 16, was a severe shock to his many friends and colleagues. A large number of flying staff in uniform and other S.A.A. personnel attended the very impressive funeral in Kempton Park on April 20. In paying their last respects the church choir, the formation of which Johan was responsible for and which he regurlarly conducted, rendered his famous ballad in a manner which we are certain would have pleased him. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his bereaved wife, Lorraine, and can assure her that the image of a warmhearted friend, colleague, churchman and sportsman will remain with us.

The late Johan van Tonder

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VERSEKERING VAN REUSE-STRALERS

Ondanks pessimistiese voorspellings ‘n jaar of wat gelede het die wêreld se versekeringsmarkte daarin geslaag om die nuwe Boeing 747-superstralers se versekering to behartig. Volgens die tydskrif Insurance Monitor het Pan American, T.W.A., Lufthansa, American Airlines, B.O.A.C., Alitalia en Air France reeds daarin geslaag om versekering vir hul 747-straalreuse te verkry.

Die verwagting is dat daar teen Julie 1970 sowat 45 Boeing 747′s in die wêreld in gebruik sal wees. Elk van die superstralers wat tot dusver in gebruik gestel is, is vir sowat R15 miljoen verseker plus ‘n bedrag van ongeveer R60 miljoen vir aanvullende aanspreeklikheid, soos bv. passa­siers.

Die S.A. Lugdiens verwag aflewering van sy eerste Boeing 747 superstralers teen die einde van aanstaande jaar en op hierdie stadium word geen probleme ten opsigte van versekering voorsien nie.

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1927 MODEL WINS PRIZE

Messrs. Garlicks Office Machines (Pty.) Ltd., recently staged a Republic-wide competition to establish the where­abouts of the oldest Facit Calculator still in operation and, not surprisingly, S.A.A’s 1927 model came a close second. The second prize netted for S.A.A. by Facit Calculator, Serial No. 5824, Model IS, consisted of a brand new Facit Calculator, Serial No. 1919869.

Now No. 5824 is being reconditioned and will earn a well-deserved rest in the Railway Museum – an appropriate “home” after such a long and active career.

Mr. A. M. Conradie, Chief Executive (right) receiving the prize from Mr. J. A. Formby of Garlicks Office Machines.

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RARIN’ TO GO

A study by night of South African Airways’ latest addition to its Boeing 707 1st fleet, the “East London” (ZS-SAJ), prior to departure from Jan Smuts Airport to carry the SAA emblem to distant horizons.

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WITHDRAWAL OF DAKOTA DC-3 AIRCRAFT

The many thousands of people who travelled by Dakota aircraft on S.A.A’s domestic routes and even those who only watched them fly past, will probably view the with­drawal of these stalwarts from service as from May 4 this year with mixed feelings.

South African Airways introduced its first Dakota ser­vices with two machines in 1946 and by 1954 had increased the fleet to seven of these aircraft. They were placed in service on the shorter routes and operated mainly between towns where airport facilities were not adequate for the landing and take-off of the larger aircraft.

Since 1969 the Dakotas were confined to the operation of the services between the Republic and its neighbour states of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, serving, inter alia, centres such as Gaberone, Francistown, Maseru and Manzini. These venerable workhorses will, initially at least, be replaced by Hawker Siddeley 748 Propjet aircraft in 40­seat configuration on the routes concerned.

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‘N REKORD

Mnr. G. P. Labuschagne en sy span jong klerke van die onderafdeling verrekenings in die eindpuntkantore in die Rotonde, Johannesburg, het ‘n rekordbalansstaat vir die maand April opgestel. Die bedrag van R4,507,835.28 oortref die stasie se vorige hoogste syfer vir ‘n maandbalans wat in April 1968 behaal is, met R452,869.27. Die rekordbalans is in rekordtyd behaal.

Hierdie prestasie is sprekend van die pligsgetrouheid en toewyding wat die groep manne aan die dag gelê het. Ons wens hulle geluk en meer soortgelyke prestasies toe!

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AN HISTORIC OCCASION

Gillian Sparks of S.A.A’s Sydney Office is pictured above planting a tree at Sydney’s new International Air Terminal which was officially opened by the Queen of Britain on May 3.

The various International Airlines operating into Australia were each invited to plant a tree in the grounds surrounding the new terminal.

Work is continuing on the massive gardening project at Sydney Airport and when completed the Overseas Terminal will be set amongst 30,000 native Australian trees and shrubs.

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TOP WINDOW DISPLAY

The result of the 12th Christmas Window Display Com­petition held in Rome saw S.A.A. being awarded the first prize of a gold medal. The display appeared in the airline’s Sales Office and the competition was sponsored by the Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Council of Rome.

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