The Mirage F1CZ "211" Restoration Project

The Friends if the South African Air Force Museum have embarked on a project to restore a Mirage F1CZ interceptor, tail no "211", to a pristine static condition. the colour scheme chosen is the original delivery scheme, comprising of   Olive drab and Deep buff camouflage on th top and light Admiralty grey on the underside.  

"Barbie Mirage" in the Bush at Waterkloof
photo: Chris Oosthuizen

The original initiator of the project was Lt.Col Chris Oosthuizen, who headed the rescue of the aircraft from the scrap metal dealers, as she had been left out in the weather for approximately twenty years and was earmarked for destruction . The aircraft then, nicknamed "Barbie Mirage" due to the oxidation of the paint which left it an ugly shade of pink, was moved by tractor AFB Waterkloof  to the SAAF Museum at AFB Swartkops.

Lt.Col Oosthuizen accompanied by members of the newly founded SAAF Museum Photographic Club, started cleaning the pink aircraft and also sanded her in preparation for paint, the project unfortunately came to a halt late in 2011.

In August 2012 a group of enthusiastic members of the Friends decided to continue the project.

Photo: Wally Moll 

After consultation with Lt.Col Mike O'Connor the aircraft was moved to the parking area outside the Friends of the SAAF Museum's clubhouse. Where she will be for the duration of the restoration project

Photo: Paul Hoffman

Russell Dixon-Paver, Annelie Potgieter and myself undertook to photograph and document every missing piece of the aircraft, a report was compiled and sent to the 2 AC at AFB Ysterplaat as there was a Mirage F1CZ at the Museum in Cape Town that was in a much worse condition than 211 was. They were tasked to remove all the parts from the aircraft in Cape Town as she was about to be scrapped. In the interim 211 was cleaned and a ejector seat was sourced for her, the seat was installed. Front tyres have been sourced 60sqd as they use the same size wheels as the Mirage, all the rust on the Aircraft has been treated with a Rust converter.

Arthur Piercy with his Fiancé Gerda, father Cyril and mebers of
 the restoration team.

Much interest was generated by putting the project on social media, many ex 3 Squadron members  have made contact and asked to join the project, one of these is Arthur Piercy who's F1CZ was badly damaged by a missile shot from a Mig21, his drag chute had been damaged and had fallen off the aircraft and his hydraulic system had been damaged which left the breaks unusable. When he landed he had no way to stop the aircraft and it ran off the end of the runway, the nose and left main gear collapsed, somehow in the process the ejector seat deployed, the seat in a Mirage was never designed to by deployed while on the ground. Arthur was unfortunately badly injured and was left paralysed.

"211"s Current haome

Mr Andy Kiel General Manager of Elegant line road painters had offered to sponsor the paint and thinners for the repainting of the aircraft. After Mr Kiel approached Plascon  they decide to donate R60 000-00 worth of paint for present and future projects Mr Kiel also offered to donate sinage to the museum.

Cloth patches, Caps and Zippo lighters are being made available to all the members of the restoration team, they will all carry the logo as posted above (Patches and caps are on black and embroidered in gold lighter are silver and are engraved)