The SAA330 Puma helicopter found its new home at the Springs Mine and Military Museum on April 15. The donation is from Starlite Aviation Group in Heidelberg.

The helicopter, used prominently by the defence force during the Angolan War, will be part of the outdoor exhibit at the museum.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser, the group’s director of maintenance, Hennie Pieterson said that the donation came about after they were approached by the museum about taking the helicopter, as the company is closing their branch and heading to their head office in Durban.

He said that aircrafts at their current branch will not be accommodated in Durban, with some being donated to apprentice schools.

As the aircraft was originally used in the military, he believed that it would be a good idea to donate it to the museum, which houses antique military items.

“We are glad that it is going back into a military environment, otherwise we would have cut the aircraft up for scrap metal.

“At least now, it will be in the museum for people to come and see, and will be repainted in original military colours again. It will be on show and people can see one of the pieces of history of the military,” noted Pieterson.

Pieterson explained that the donation means so much, with younger generations being able to learn about military aviation history.

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He believes with the helicopter relocating to Springs, visitors, especially war veterans, will be able to think about their time in the military and be able to share stories with the youth.

“I hope for the younger people it creates a sense of direction; maybe there will be one or two who would like to get into aviation or aircraft mechanics, so I believe that it will serve somebody and be of value to them,” said Pieterson.

With an escort by the EMPD, the helicopter was able to make it safe to its new home in Springs.

Museum curator Errol Brits explained that the helicopter is an asset for the museum as they are not freely available, with manufacturing stopping some time ago. He said that it will be a learning tool for children.

“Many children will never have a chance to sit in a helicopter. The doors will be open for the children and older people to see the inside of the helicopter.

“We obviously have to refurbish now and have the windows all cleaned up, so people can see out and they can go in there and see what the pilot sees,” expressed Brits.

Brits shared a large donation like the helicopter attracts a lot of people to the museum, where they are able learn about the past. The museum currently has 56 large exhibits and he believes that the community as a whole is going to benefit greatly from this.

“If you look at all our assets that we’ve collected in less than three year, this is one of the main assets, and I’m sure it will make the community proud,” he said.

Brits thanked Starlite for the donation, Delmas Crane Hire for transporting the helicopter and the EMPD for providing the safe escort.