South African Airways Museum - closer to aircraft than you've ever been before

South African Airways Museum at Rand Airport, Johannesburg has the tag line of "Get closer to aircraft and the inside story of our airline industry than you’ve ever been before" which is a major understatement.
As an AvGeek I got to see parts of the 747SP - Maluti that I never expected, including climbing into the Avionics bay, walking through the cargo bay, and sitting in the pilots seat of the fully intact and operational cockpit while they demo'd everything from gauges to the stick shaker.
I forgot I had a camera multiple times on this tour and spent hours and hours looking around and chatting to many of the friendly and enthusiastic volunteers. No video could do the experience justice.
If you are anywhere close, this museum is a one of a kind.
saamuseum.co.za/

[@Kai-NikolausSchmitt-u4y]

Flew the sp during '90 on JNB sydney Routing via Perth. Great SAA memories

[@Jean-MichelTrabaud]

Wow! Released regularly this aircraft as ground engineer, at CDG airport back in 1990's... I'll be soon retired too 😉

[@PetrolHeadBrasil]

I worked for six years at SBSP airport. This vision of yours was my routine, daily. How I miss it... =(

[@garycusack9247]

the queen awakens

[@antonpandoursky9790]

That looks like B747SP😁Awesome airplane and I think only 45 were built.

[@TheKingTubby1]

That be the little SkyPig Maluti - Pappa Charlie. She had an even more famous sister - Matroosberg which held a 17hr non stop flight record for many years.

[@TheKingTubby1]

Hello Pappa Charlie - AKA Maluti - a great video and so looking forward to visiting the museum in January 25. Hope they let me take a seat up front in the skippers chair too. Thanks for posting

[@stephenryan747]

Thank you, I got so shocked by the experience, I forgot to hit record multiple times. You will definitely enjoy the visit.
They let you into the cockpit, and many other places during the technical tour. The volunteers are amazing and worth chatting too. All are incredibly friendly and willing to share knowledge.

[@BinyMemi]

Analog, cockpit is cool, idk why they never allow me in the cockpit

[@stephenryan747]

This was an entirely unique experience that caught me by surprise. I think they are able to do it as they have volunteers in with you so can protect everything.
The tour massively undersells itself. I was in the cockpit about 15 minutes before I remember I had a phone that could record some of the experience.