AIRCRAFT AT WAR - 100

The South African National Museum of Military History (The War Museum) in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, with the assistance of the SA Military History Society, is holding a special exhibition in December to mark the centenary of powered flight. The Wright brothers first took "The Flyer" into the air at Kitty Hawke on December 17th 1903, and the anniversary is being marked worldwide.

Titled "Aircraft at War-100", the exhibition will run from December 8th 2003 to January 9th 2004, and will feature aircraft paintings on loan from the Ron Belling Gallery of Port Elizabeth. Ron Belling, who died in 1998, is recognised as one of the world's best aviation artists. Also on show will be a special selection of outstanding photographs by the late Herman Potgieter, international award-winning SA aviation photographer.

The Museum will mark out an Aviation Trail, taking visitors past some of the rare and fascinating exhibits in its collections marking the evolution of military aviation in South Africa. Visitors will also be able to see the Museum's collection of rare and unique aircraft, including the recently acquired Impala Mark II.

There will interactive flight simulators, an aviation store selling all kinds of memorabilia and books, as well as toys and games for children. Admission to the Museum is just R10 for adults, R5 for children and Senior Citizens, and the exhibition will be open every day except Christmas Day.

This will be the place to be in December!

In conjunction with the opening of the exhibition will be the launch of "In Southern Skies", a superb new coffee table book on the history of early aviation in South Africa by Pretoria author, John William Illsley. The lavishly illustrated, large format book tells the story of aviation in South Africa between 1816 and 1940, from its humble beginnings to the aeroplanes used in World War II. The book includes more than 800 images over 361 pages to convey the excitement of the pioneers who took to the air In Southern Skies, and is a "must have" for anyone interested in the history of flight in South Africa.

In Southern Skies is published by Jonathan Ball Publishers and is available from leading booksellers at R398,00.

For more information on "AIRCRAFT AT WAR 100", call Alan Sinclair, Aviation Curator at the SANMMH at (011) 646 5513.

For more information on "IN SOUTHERN SKIES", call Tanya White of Jonathan Ball Publishers at (021) 423- 3911.

For more information, visit the website : www.militarymuseum.co.za/main.htm