A Focke-Wulf Fw 190A for Türkiye - Two South African links
By Willie Bodenstein. Photos supplied
04.02.2026
Google Banner Ad
Retired SAA Captain Flippie Vermeulen, the owner of Rand Airport based Springbok Classic Air, is without a doubt the South African who has flown the most displays in international airshows. Flippie has appeared in the USA at Oshkosh (DC-4), the Royal International Air Tattoo (DC-4), the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton Airshow in a Boeing 747, in Belgium as well as in Germany.
So when Ali Ismet Öztürk, the owner of Sivrihisar International Sportive Aviation Air Park in Turkey invited Flippie and son Ben to display the ex Breitling DC-3 at the airpark's 2019 airshow they naturally jumped at it.
Developed as a private venture by Ali Ismet Öztürk, Sivrihisar International Sportive Aviation Centre (SUSHM), Necati Artan Facilities opened its doors in March 2014. Built on approximately 1000 acres of land 2790 feet above sea level, the park's main 23-meter-wide runway (05-23) is 1810 meter in length. Next to the main runway there is a grass track for gliders and other light aircraft.
There are two apron areas; a west apron and an east apron. The west apron, the operational side of the park, consists of maintenance and business hangars that houses various Turkish and international aeronautical companies as well as the administrative office building of the air park.
Displayed in one of the hangars is a T-6, an ex SAAF Harvard that was originally an AT-6 or a SNJ and then rebuilt into a T-6G in 1953. Not given a 182- c/n, it was one of 30 created by Volitan Aircraft Services in California of which all were given SA- c/ns ranging from 052 to about 080. Therefore, there is no way at present in knowing what the original airframe was. Sold in Chile in March 1993 it first became N26WR before N726KM which it is now.
In May 2025 the museum announced that it has acquired from Dan Kirkland of California a Flugwerk-built Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8/N to add to its expanding collection of historic aircraft. The historic German war bird arrived after a nearly two-month journey from the United States at the museum's restoration hangar where it joined the museum's already impressive line-up of notable aircraft such as the former Duxford-based North American P-51D Mustang Ferocious Frankie, a stunning Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX and the beautifully preserved 1940 Douglas DC-3.
Since then the aircraft's Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engine had been comprehensive overhauled. Numerous components have been refurbished. Fuel and oil lines replaced and high-pressure testing of the individual fuel injectors have been successfully completed. The oil radiators were also reconditioned. Additional work in the tail section included substantial improvements to the tail wheel assembly and elevator systems.
By late October 2025, refurbishment, painting, and assembly of the engine cowling and front radiator deflectors had been completed, followed by detailed spar manufacturing and leading-edge work. Throughout November and December, extensive wing reconstruction including the production of new main spars to aviation-grade standards and the replacement of skins, ribs, and stringers took up most of the allotted time. The wing covering and riveting where particularly time consuming with traditional bucking rivet techniques employed throughout the process.
March 2026 has been targeted as the date for mounting the airframe onto the wings. If these milestones are met the Fw 190 is destined to fly in Turkish Air Force squadron markings would hopefully be ready for its first test flight in April 2026.
When in Türkiye do visit the museum. For more information about the museum go to www.msomuseum.com
Harvard A2A Shoot 710
If your business wants to connect directly with the most engaged and influential audience in South African aviation, there's no better platform than Pilot's Post Online Aviation. In 2024 alone, we published 48 Midweek Updates and 192 in-depth Sunday feature reports, keeping readers informed, inspired, and invested in the latest developments across the aviation world. We remain the only South African publication providing daily coverage from Oshkosh and most major UK airshows, giving our audience exclusive insights they can't find anywhere else.
Over the past 14 years, we've produced an unmatched 3,729 articles and reports, building a reputation for credibility, quality, and consistency that both readers and advertiser's trust. No other aviation publication in South Africa can rival our reach, depth, or engagement and none can offer better exposure at more affordable rates. Whether you're launching a new product, promoting a service, or strengthening your brand presence, advertising with Pilot's Post ensures your message soars directly to the people who matter most in aviation.
Take your marketing to new heights-advertise with Pilot's Post and be part of South Africa's leading aviation voice.
