The South African Airways Museum Society was founded in 1986 by individuals within South African Airways and interested outside parties with the aim of preserving the history of South African Airways as well as that of general civil aviation in South Africa. This was sparked off by the purchase by South African Airways of the famous Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft. Members of the South African Airways Museum Society were instrumental in restoring that aircraft, and have ever since been proactive in preserving the colourful history of South African Airways. 