Preller Geldenhuys
# Preller Geldenhuys

(Prop) Preller Geldenhuys was a pilot in the Rhodesian Air Force. He left Rhodesia (then Zimbabwe) in 1982 and began a new career in South Africa. After retiring, he became an author.

## Air Force

Geldenhuys joined the Royal Rhodesian Air Force in March 1962 as a general duties pilot on No 16 Pilot Training Course. After being awarded his Wings he was posted to No. 4 Squadron to fly Provost aircraft, then to No. 2 Squadron – Vampires, then No. 1 Squadron to fly Hunters FGA 9 aircraft, and then had a posting to No. 5 Squadron flying B2 and T4 Canberra bombers. Command appointments included Flight Commander on Hunters and Canberras, Officer Commanding Forward Air Field's FAF 2 Kariba and FAF 7 Buffalo Range, and Fire Force Charlie.

Ground staff appointments included Officer Commanding Admin Wing, Thornhill, Staff Officer Volunteer Reserve and Staff Officer Personnel at Air Force Headquarters.

## Later career

After retiring from the Air Force, Geldenhuys joined hardboard manufacturer Masonite as a Personnel Superintendent, retiring as a Loss Control Manager after 20 years service. He emigrated to New Zealand in 2011 and enjoys managing Peysoft Publications, specialising in the formatting manuscripts for epub publication.

## Published books

| Title | Author | Type | Genre | Topic | Year |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rhodesian Air Force Operations with Air Strike Log | Prop Preller Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | Military | Aviation | 2007 |
| Rhodesian War Casualties and Air Force Memorials | Prop Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | Military | Roll of Honour | 2009 |
| Geldenhuys Genealogy - 12 Generations (Vol One) | Preller Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | Genealogy | Family Tree | 2011 |
| Geldenhuys Genealogy - 12 Generations (Vol Two) | Preller Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | Genealogy | Family Tree | 2011 |
| Geldenhuys Genealogy: Vol One and Two | Preller Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | Genealogy | Geldenhuys | 2015 |
| Rhodesian Air Force Operations | Preller Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | Military | Aviation | 2014 |
| Nickel Cross | "Prop" Preller Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | Autobiography | Biography | 2016 |
| Thornhill 2015 Magazine | Preller Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | Education | Schooling | 2015 |
| Hongi Hika and Hone Heke | Preller Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | History | New Zealand | 2016 |
| James Cook and Samuel Marsden | Preller Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | History | New Zealand | 2016 |
| The Dash - between Life and Death | Preller Geldenhuys | Non-fiction | Personal | Experience | 2017 |
