Thunder City is an aircraft operating and maintenance company based at the Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town, South Africa. It was well known for owning the largest civilian collection of former military jet aircraft in the world. These aircraft were used to perform in airshows and could also be chartered by the general public for recreational flights, including going supersonic and climbing to altitudes around 50,000 feet. Following a fatal accident in 2009 in which an English Electric Lightning crashed at an airshow, the company ceased flying operations after the accident investigation found major shortcomings in its maintenance programme.The company's other activities include upgrading older models of the Aerospatiale Puma helicopter with modern avionics and renovating airframes and engines.Company structureThunder City Holdings Ltd. is the parent company of several subsidiaries: Thunder City Aircraft Company Thunder City Aircraft Maintenance Company Thunder City Education Thunder City Aircraft Entertainment Thunder City Flying Company Thunder City Property CompanyFleetSome of the aircraft are the most recently airworthy examples of the type. Three English Electric Lightning. One T5 was lost in an accident on 14 November 2009. Three Blackburn Buccaneers. Seven Hawker Hunters. One BAC Strikemaster. One Aerospatiale Puma, a demonstrator of the company's upgrade and refurbishment services. One Gloster Javelin FAW Mk.1 (RAF No. XA553). Mounted as a "Gate Guard" on display at the entrance to the company premises. In October 2012, three Lightnings, 3 Buccaneers and four Hawker Hunters were put up for sale.
