Misplaced Pages

#470529

39-899: The airline was formed as a subsidiary of Central African Airways (CAA) in June 1964, but became an independent corporation on 1 September 1967. It flew internal routes to Buffalo Range, Bulawayo , Fort Victoria , Kariba , and Victoria Falls . During the 1970s, it operated international flights to Johannesburg and Durban in South Africa; Beira , Vilanculos and Lourenço Marques in Mozambique ; and Blantyre in Malawi . Air Rhodesia's mainstay aircraft were Vickers Viscount 700D turboprops and Boeing 720 jetliners, three of which were successfully purchased in April 1973 despite sanctions against

78-562: A large new hangar in 1979. Thoughts immediately turned to reopening routes to destinations long closed to the airline as a result of sanctions. After independence in Zimbabwe, Air Zimbabwe Rhodesia was renamed " Air Zimbabwe ", which went bankrupt in 2012 before being resurrected in 2013. Central African Airways Central African Airways ( CAA ) was a supranational airline corporation serving as flag carrier for Southern Rhodesia , Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland (respectively

117-429: A payment of blankets and "some other articles". As the bird on its pedestal was too heavy for him to carry, he hacked it off and hid the pedestal with the intention of returning later to retrieve it. He subsequently sold his bird to Cecil Rhodes , who mounted it in the library of his Cape Town house, Groote Schuur , and decorated the house's stairway with wooden replicas. Rhodes also had stone replicas made, three times

156-466: A profit in its first year of operation. The aircraft were then repainted in a livery consisting of a white top side, with dark blue and light blue "cheatlines" on the fuselage sides; sloping dark blue and light blue stripes also appeared on the vertical fin. The controversial "twiggi bird", a highly stylised representation of the Zimbabwe Bird , the national emblem of Zimbabwe (then-named Rhodesia),

195-550: A result, the financial situation worsened and A. E. P. Robinson became new chairman in 1957. No further growth of the route network occurred over the following years. With the Douglas C-47 Dakota , another aircraft type was introduced, which allowed for both passenger and cargo flights. During the 1960s, Central African Airways ordered two BAC One-Eleven -207 aircraft, but delivery was blocked by United Nations sanctions following UDI and one Douglas DC-6 which

234-572: A shroud of secrecy on the evening of 14 April 1973 during the Easter holiday; they had initially been purchased new by the original Eastern Air Lines , a U.S. air carrier based in Miami, and had then been acquired by Calair , a German charter airline that folded in 1972. Air Rhodesia's new jet planes were ready to be put into service in November 1973, just as fuel prices increased by 35 percent because of

273-611: A temporary solution to the problem: CAA would remain in existence but it would be responsible to a higher authority consisting of transport ministers from the three separate governments. Independent subsidiaries of CAA were formed to operate in the three countries: Air Malawi Ltd, based in Blantyre; Zambia Airways Ltd, based in Lusaka ; and Air Rhodesia (Pvt) Ltd, based in Salisbury. The administrative arrangements that operated between

312-538: A wish to operate their own airlines but this was not straightforward because CAA's core operations were mostly based in Southern Rhodesia, including the engineering base, stores and most of the infrastructure and personnel that were needed to support the airline; only minor repairs to the aircraft could be attempted away from the Salisbury base. A settlement was agreed in December 1963, which provided at least

351-505: Is derived from a number of soapstone sculptures found in the ruins of the medieval city of Great Zimbabwe . It is now the definitive icon of independent Zimbabwe , with Matenga (2001) listing over 100 organizations which now incorporate the Bird in their logo. The original carved birds are from the ruined city of Great Zimbabwe , which was built by the ancestors of the Shona , starting in

390-541: The Dakota services to Wankie were upgraded to use the Viscount; and additional revenue was earned by lending surplus aircrew to other airlines. However, Air Rhodesia's performance was affected when its competitors began to use new jet airliners, and it became obvious that jet aircraft were essential for international services. The airline covertly acquired its first jets, three Boeing 720 -025 jetliners, which arrived under

429-733: The Second World War , commercial flights in Southern Rhodesia were offered by Southern Rhodesia Air Services (SRAS), whilst Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland had a joined airline company called Rhodesia and Nyasaland Airways (RANA). In 1946, it was decided to consolidate the airline operations of the three territories into one corporation, thus creating Central African Airways. Air Vice-Marshal Sir Charles Warburton Meredith served as founding chairman, overseeing an initial fleet of fifteen de Havilland Dragon Rapide , five Avro Anson , one de Havilland Tiger Moth and one de Havilland Leopard Moth , all of which had previously been operated by

SECTION 10

#1732771771471

468-543: The Vickers Viscount was introduced with CAA on 25 April 1956. With a seating capacity of 52, this was a significantly higher capacity than the 24 passengers of a Viking. In the same year, Salisbury Airport was opened, and CAA moved its hub and headquarters to the new facilities. The new airport attracted foreign airlines (most notably South African Airways ), so that for the first time, Central African Airways experienced competitors on its international routes. As

507-630: The Yom Kippur War in the Middle East. Soon afterwards, the Bush War began to escalate sharply, and staff shortages due to military call-ups were adding to the airline's difficulties. Mozambique was granted its independence in 1975, and Air Rhodesia services to Blantyre and Beira were banned in March 1976 when Rhodesian aircraft were prohibited from overflying Mozambican territory. Until 1979,

546-472: The bateleur eagle ( Shona : chapungu ), which was held to be a messenger from Mwari (God) and the ancestors, or the fish eagle ( hungwe ) which it has been suggested was the original totem of the Shona. In 1889 a European hunter, Willi Posselt, travelled to Great Zimbabwe after hearing about it from another European explorer, Karl Mauch. He climbed to the highest point of the ruins despite being told that it

585-545: The "Colonial Coach Service", linking Salisbury , Ndola and Lusaka with London. The Doves were intended to be used for so called bush flights to poorly prepared landing strips, but proved unsuitable for the prevailing hot and high conditions. Therefore, from 1951 onwards, they were replaced by de Havilland Beavers , which had the desired STOL capabilities. Under the leadership of Sir Ellis Robins (later created, in 1958, The 1st Baron Robins ), who had taken over as chairman in 1947, another modernisation took place when

624-436: The 11th century and inhabited for over 300 years. The ruins, after which modern Zimbabwe was named, cover some 730 hectares (1,800 acres) and are the largest ancient stone construction in sub-Saharan Africa. Among its notable elements are the soapstone bird sculptures, about 40 centimetres (16 inches) tall and standing on columns more than 90 cm (3 ft) tall, which were originally installed on walls and monoliths within

663-495: The 1950s and early 1960s, CAA offered scheduled flights to the following destinations. Please note: This list follows the then valid naming of countries, cities and airports. Central African Airways (CAA) was a member of the Quadripartite agreements with South African Airways (SAA), East African Airways (EAA) and British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), thus allowing its passengers to be booked on any of

702-489: The Rhodesian government. After the country was renamed, the airline became known as Air Zimbabwe Rhodesia in 1979, before reforming as Air Zimbabwe in 1980. Central African Airways (CAA) was formed on 1 June 1946 as the joint airline of Southern Rhodesia (later Rhodesia ; now Zimbabwe ), Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia ) and Nyasaland (now Malawi ), the governments of the three countries owning 50%, 35% and 15% of

741-717: The advent of the European." Bent attributed the birds, wholly erroneously, to the Phoenicians . In 1981, a year after the attainment of independence in Zimbabwe, the South African government returned four of the sculptures to the country in exchange for a world-renowned collection of Hymenoptera (bees, wasps and ants) housed in Harare; the fifth remains at Groote Schuur. In 2003, the German museum returned its portion of

780-420: The airline's only external services would be to Johannesburg and Durban. On 3 September 1978, Air Rhodesia Flight 825 , a Vickers Viscount with registration VP-WAS, was shot down near Kariba by nationalist guerrillas. Only eight people survived the crash and the ensuing massacre by the guerilla fighters. Just five months later, on 12 February 1979, Air Rhodesia Flight 827 , another Viscount, registered VP-YND,

819-485: The airline's share capital respectively. CAA began operating with a mixture of former Rhodesian Air Services (RAS) aircraft, but soon took delivery of five De Havilland Doves and three Vickers VC.1 Vikings . Services were steadily expanded to cover a route network that extended as far north as Nairobi in Kenya , and as far south as Johannesburg in South Africa, also serving destinations such as Blantyre in Malawi to

SECTION 20

#1732771771471

858-689: The bird became a widespread symbol of the colony. The paper money and coins of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland , issued by the Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland also displayed the bird, as did the Flag of Rhodesia . The flag and state symbols of modern Zimbabwe continue to feature the Zimbabwe Bird. It is now the definitive icon of independent Zimbabwe with Matenga (2001) listing over 100 state, corporate and sporting organisations which incorporate

897-654: The bird's pedestal to Zimbabwe. The birds were displayed for a while in the Natural History Museum in Bulawayo and the Museum of Human Sciences in Harare, but are now housed in a small museum on the Great Zimbabwe site. The Zimbabwe bird has been a symbol of Zimbabwe and its predecessor states since 1924. The crest of Southern Rhodesia's coat of arms incorporated the Zimbabwe bird, and over time

936-472: The border. I selected the best specimen of the bird stones, the beaks of the remainder being damaged, and decided to dig it out. But while doing so, Andizibi [a local tribesman] and his followers became very excited and rushed around with their guns and assegais . I fully expected them to attack us. However, I went on with my work but told Klass, who had loaded two rifles, to shoot the first man he saw aiming at either of us. Posselt compensated Andizibi with

975-402: The city. They are unique to Great Zimbabwe; nothing like them has been discovered elsewhere. Various explanations have been advanced to explain the symbolic meaning of the birds. One suggestion is that each bird was erected in turn to represent a new king, but this would have required improbably long reigns. More probably, the Zimbabwe birds represent sacred or totemic animals of the Shona –

1014-575: The east, and Maun in Bechuanaland (now Botswana ) to the west. In August 1948, CAA inaugurated Africa's first air freight service. By 1954, CAA had expanded to cover routes as far afield as London in the UK. The federation that joined the three shareholders of CAA was dissolved in 1963, and Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland prepared to attain their independence the following year, to become Zambia and Malawi respectively. The two new countries expressed

1053-442: The engine nacelles , which had the effect of significantly increasing the aircraft's fuel consumption. Meanwhile, due to the ongoing war, passenger numbers continued to plummet as fuel prices soared. When Rhodesia achieved democracy as Zimbabwe Rhodesia , Air Rhodesia became "Air Zimbabwe Rhodesia". In anticipation of the new political truce bringing about stability and new opportunities, Air Zimbabwe Rhodesia ordered construction of

1092-465: The exception of Portugal's TAP Air and South African Airways . Relations between the three sister companies became strained and a split was agreed in 1967. Air Rhodesia Corporation came into being on 1 September 1967 while Rhodesia was under international isolation. Unlike Zambia, Malawi maintained "cool" relations with Air Rhodesia Corporation, and as a result, flights between Salisbury and Blantyre were maintained and soon increased; Air Rhodesia posted

1131-561: The four airlines. Zimbabwe Bird The stone-carved Zimbabwe Bird is the national emblem of Zimbabwe , appearing on the national flags and coats of arms of both Zimbabwe and former Rhodesia , as well as on banknotes and coins (first on the Rhodesian pound and then on the Rhodesian dollar ). It probably represents the bateleur eagle ( Terathopius ecaudatus ) or the African fish eagle ( Haliaeetus vocifer ). The bird's design

1170-657: The present day countries of Zimbabwe , Zambia and Malawi ), which were organised as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland , also known as the Central African Federation, from 1953 to 1963. Based in Salisbury , it offered an extensive network of domestic passenger and cargo flights, as well as international services to major cities in Southern and Central Africa, and a route to London. In 1960, CAA owned 15 aircraft and had 1,155 employees. Prior to

1209-486: The respective air forces. Originally, the airline was headquartered at Belvedere Airport (serving Salisbury, now demolished). Between 1948 and 1949, two Bristol Freighters joined the fleet. To get larger and more modern aircraft, CAA purchased three Vickers VC.1 Viking and five de Havilland Dove , the first of which were delivered in 1947. The Vikings formed the backbone for mainline passenger flights until their withdrawal from service in 1958, most notably (since 1953)

Air Rhodesia - Misplaced Pages Continue

1248-475: The route network in the respective countries. In 1965, Air Rhodesia was founded as a third CAA subsidiary. Thenceforth, only the prestigious international flights from Salisbury to London and Johannesburg were operated under the Central African Airways brand. In 1967, Zambia Airways, Air Malawi and Air Rhodesia decided to become independent of each other, and CAA was disestablished. During

1287-881: The size of the original, to decorate the gates of his house in England near Cambridge . A German missionary came to own the pedestal of one bird, which he sold to the Ethnological Museum in Berlin in 1907. Rhodes' acquisition of Posselt's bird prompted him to commission an investigation of the Great Zimbabwe ruins by James Theodore Bent , which took place in 1891 following the British South Africa Company 's invasion of Mashonaland. Bent recorded that there were eight birds, six large and two small, and that there had probably originally been more as there were several additional stone pedestals of which

1326-548: The three companies proved to be successful and profitable for all three. On 11 November 1965, the Rhodesian Government formalised the Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain, and sanctions were imposed on Rhodesia shortly afterwards by Britain and independent African states, including Malawi and Zambia; this closed down almost all international flights operating through Rhodesia, with

1365-577: The tops had been broken off. The colonists erroneously attributed Great Zimbabwe to ancient Mediterranean builders, believing native Africans to be incapable of constructing such a complex structure; thus in Rhodes' mind, as a 1932 guidebook put it, it was "a favourite symbol of the link between the order civilisation derived from the North or the East and the savage barbarism of Southern and Central Africa before

1404-424: Was a sacred site where he should not trespass, and found the birds positioned in the centre of an enclosure around an apparent altar. He later wrote: Each one, including its plinth, had been hewn out of a solid block of stone and measured 4 feet 6 inches in height; and each was set firmly into the ground. There was also a stone shaped like a millstone and about 18 inches in diameter, with a number of figures carved in

1443-649: Was leased from Alitalia between 1962 and 1965. In the wake of the Decolonization of Africa and the African independence movements , the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved on 31 December 1963. In 1964, the independent states of Zambia and Malawi were proclaimed in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. To recognise this move, Zambia Airways and Air Malawi were founded as wholly owned subsidiaries of Central African Airways, taking over

1482-424: Was shot down in the same area, killing everyone on board. As a protective measure, all of the surviving Air Rhodesia Viscounts were quickly painted in a special yellowish-green matte paint, and all shiny metal surfaces on the aircraft, including propeller blades and spinners, were painted over. In order to prevent heat-seeking missiles from locking on to the hot jet pipes, specially designed engine guards were fitted to

1521-496: Was superimposed on the two fin stripes. This was criticised in some circles as being scarcely recognisable as a Zimbabwe Bird, and it was even likened to an Arab dhow under sail. Air Rhodesia's profits increased between 1969 and 1970, and the airline continued to perform well despite the challenges brought about by sanctions and the deteriorating political environment within Rhodesia. Passenger services were introduced to Kariba ;

#470529