SkyClassic
Classic Charters
Relive the romance of a bygone era with luxurious classic air travel to fabulous destinations in Africa and beyond. Climb aboard meticulously maintained classic aircraft for an unforgettable fun-filled adventure combined with the charm and elegance of classic first-class-style-travel.
Relax and enjoy the lavishness of our hospitality. You will be pampered the entire journey by crew who are passionate about your well-being and comfort.
Flying at low altitudes and slow speeds, characteristic of the propeller driven airliner era, passengers are treated to spectacular and unforgettable views of the scenery below. The elegance and ambience of classic air travel on board a Douglas DC-3 or DC-4 is pure nostalgia.
Be it business or pleasure, travel with SkyClass to Africa’s most colorful destinations on board a graceful old lady of the sky, on or off the beaten track.
Aircraft Descriptions
On 17 December 1935, in Santa Monica California, an aircraft designed by Arthur Raymond took to the skies. That aircraft was model number three of the Douglas Commercial Transports. Time would show that a wonderful relationship was about to begin between man and the aircraft that had just got airborne. The Douglas DC-3 was one of the first aeroplanes to be put into service with most of the major airlines after World War Two, including South African Airways.
After the end of hostilities in the Far East a number of SAAF C-47 “Dakota” aircraft were transferred to SAA. They were soundproofed and fitted out with 21 seats for airline service. The Dakota served with SAA for nearly a quarter of a century, providing reliable service on all the internal and regional sectors. When retired from SAA service the “Daks” were sold to the SAAF.
The main task nowadays of our DC-3s is a leisurely one, taking passengers on low-level nostalgia trips, specifically safaris throughout Southern Africa to exotic places like the Victoria Falls. Scenic Sunday Sparkling Wine Flips are extremely popular giving passengers a low-level view of Johannesburg and its environs.
As a very warm and comfortable aeroplane, the DC-3 has always been at the forefront in the area of passenger comfort and this is evident when one steps on board. Durable, reliable, responsive, dependable – these are the traits that make the DC-3 one of the most respected and loved aircraft the world has ever known.
- Range – 1 650 km
- Maximum Seating x (Class) – 26 premium economy
- Minimum Runway Length – 1000m
The Douglas Aircraft Company decided to produce a four-engine transport about twice the size of the DC-3 and, in 1938, developed the single DC-4E to carry 42 passengers by day or 30 by night. It proved to be costly and airlines agreed to suspend development in favour of the less complex DC-4.
Douglas built 1,241 of the DC-4s and its military counterparts. During the war, C-54s flew a million miles a month over the rugged North Atlantic – more than 20 round trips a day. A special C-54C, nicknamed the “Sacred Cow” by the White House press corps, became the first presidential aircraft, ordered for Franklin D. Roosevelt.
After World War II, commercial airlines placed more than 300 civilian DC-4 transports into service, and new DC-4s and used C-54s carried more passengers than any other four-engine transport.
Like the DC-3, the Skymasters now have a more leisurely time plying their trade. They are great favourites in the tourism industry, able to venture as far as North America and Europe. The aircraft seat up to 50 passengers each, in a Business Class configuration. The DC-4’s range of over 3000 km puts it in easy reach of exotic destinations such as Central and East Africa as well as many of the spectacular tropical islands in the Indian Ocean.
- Range – 3 000 km
- Maximum Seating x (Class) – 50 full business class
- Minimum Runway Length – 1500m