Newbie - Hello from South Africa

[GregZA]

Hi to all the forum members,

just joined and i am hoping to begin a teardrop build of my own very soon . I am 48 years old and I live in Witbank (Emalahleni) South AFrica with my wife and I have been blessed with 3 boys, 17, 21 and 28 years old . I am looking forward to connecting with the many wonderful people who have taken the time and effort to share their experience and knowledge on the forum .

Camp greetings
Greg

[Redneck Teepee]

Welcome Greg and hope to follow your build...we like pic's.

[bc toys]

Welcome Greg glad to have you on this great site

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Welcome aboard Greg!
I enjoyed a number of visits to SA, mostly Jo-Burg and Lanseria areas teaching aircraft maintenance. I spent a number of days in Pillanesburg Park taking pics of the fantastic wildlife!

I wish you a great time building your TD and with your boys and wife input, I am sure all will go well!!

Good luck and have fun

[Woodbutcher]

Welcome aboard! Maybe once you get your trailer done we can hold South Africa's first teardrop gathering at your place. Is there a camp ground near by?

[GregZA]

Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome.

Desert Rat, i am myself a qualified Aircraft Mechanic and worked for 6 years on the MD DC3 (C47) and DC4 aircraft whilst i was in the South African Air Force, we also maintained the State Presidents official Aircraft at the time, which was a Vickers Viscount. I no longer practice my trade, but still have a love for the two aircraft in particular and know them back to front. I also flew Microlight Aircraft weightshift trikes for about 5 years as a hobby.

Woodbutcher, we have many, many wonderful and beautiful camping grounds here, SA is really a tourist haven, anything from the Kruger National Park (Big five country, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino), right down to 20m from the seashore and everything in-between. We currently have about 4 businesses who have started-up and are building the teardrop design in one shape or the other. We also have many caravan and 4x4 off-road trailer builders over here. With the Rand/Dollar exchange rate being what it is, it is very,very cheap for overseas people to visit our country, especially those with US $, Euro`s and UK Pounds. So many overseas people think nothing goes on here in wild Africa and they are suprised when the step of the aircraft right into first world mega cities, like Johannesburg, and Cape Town, you would think you where in New York City.

I have received my braked Axle (1.5 ton), draw bar and jockey wheel incl 3 rims 14", which i still must put tyres onto.

Once i start my build, i promise to post photos...
regards
Greg

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi GregZA,
SA was one of the most interesting countries I have visited and I taught a couple of APU classes for the C47 in one trip. Most trips were for commercial birds, SA Express for the CRJ200 and out at Lanseria for the small jets --- CRJ200 as a business Acft (CL800) and a number of others. Great trip and I had to pass up an opportunity to travel with a professional photographer to the Cape and back on a photoshoot ... I kick myself today for not taking the month-long trip ...

SA must have changed since I was there last; there were lots of problems with thieves and road bandits. I received warnings about stopping (even for stop signs and street robots) if I saw anyone standing around and the B&B I stayed in had a 10' fence around the place.

[grantstew8]

Hey Greg. Welcome. This is a great site.

Been to witbank several times. A buddy's oldman was the mine manager at arnot coal mine. Lived in joburg for a decade in the 80's. Ex zimbo now in Scotland.

Geniet!

[Junkboy999]

Welcome to the sight.


I have been to Egypt 3 times and to kenya once while in the US AF. Never had the chance to go any farther south than that. Definitely post pictures up when you start building and I would love to see picture of where you get to camp. Maybe I offer a bit of advice. Don’t paint your camper the same color as a Female Rhino Ha ahahahah

Again Welcome.

[Breytie]

Welcome bud - I am in Pretoria and also ex SAAF 1982 to 1990 at Ysterplaat and ADAG. Currently building the body of a lightweight weekender. Good luck!