Zandvlei Trust

The Solomon brothers - aviation enterprise at Muizenberg 1919.

This extract from Paddy Killick's notes. (supplied by Dave and Cynthia Privett).

Frank and Shirley Solomon had been pilots in the RAF during World War 1. Both were wildly enthusiastic about flying and when at the end of the war they were demobilised and had to find employment. What could be more natural than to look for an opportunity to use their flying skills?

For 500 pounds they bought 2 DH6 aircraft G-EAMK (C9448) and G-EAML (C9449) from the British Government and spent another 400 pounds on spares, all of which they had shipped to South Africa. With the help of two former RAF members, Mr Bill Williamson an aeroplane rigger and Mr Geater an engineer, the planes were assembled on the old Rosebank Showgrounds. Minus wings they were transported by road to the Rondebosch Common, from where on completion, they were flown to a roughly made landing strip at Muizenberg on leased ground from Mr J.F. Webner for one shilling! (R0.10).

The Solomons advertised "flips" over the Peninsula at 3 guineas (R3.30) a time, officially opening their business on 22nd November 1919. Encouraged by their success they went on to arrange flights first to Port Elizabeth and then to various parts of the country, The 2 little aircraft, Hercules and Hermes, served them very well but inevitably the time came when the demand at Muizenberg began to wane.

Hercules and Hermes flying along the coast.

Undeterred the Solomons sought and received permission to use the Green Point Common as a landing ground. They engaged another pilot, Captain Hemming, but sadly he crashed into a tall incinerator chimney and he and his passengers 2 ladies and a small boy were killed. The aircraft was a complete wreck.
Using the remaining plane,  the Solomons returned to do business in Muizenberg. Ever resourceful they turned to aerial photography. This proved to be highly successful until one fateful day when soon after take off the engine cut out and Shirley had to make a forced landing in the sand dunes at Muizenberg wrecking the plane.
Undaunted the Solomons took over the first 3 garages they were to manage in Muizenberg. Later Shirley joined a Real Estate Company, but Frank carried on. It is ironical that having survived the War and at least one air crash, Shirley's death was caused by a bee sting.

A tail piece was added to the Solomon saga some years ago when what was left of the aircraft that had crashed on the beach, was found stowed away in the rafters of a building in Albertyn Road. It is said that as far as is known it is the only one of its kind left in the world, and the assistance of the De Haviland Company and the SAAF planned to rebuild it and place it in their Museum in Pretoria.