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31 January 2025
Shrinking SAAF budget puts Denel’s aircraft maintenance and repair facilities in jeopardy
Answering a Parliamentary question regarding Denel aircraft maintenance capabilities, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga acknowledged the State-owned defence and technology conglomerate faced a skilled personnel shortage as well as hav Read More...
31 January 2025
SAAF explains golf day held amid DRC fighting
All revenue generated by this week’s SA Air Force (SA) golf day â€" better known as the CAF (Chief Air Force) golf day â€" will go to support the families of 13 soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Read More...
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Grensoorlog DVD Vol 2 (Afrikaans)
DVD / Shows
Border War Vol 2 Episodes 14 - 26 Original Afrikaans language 26 part MNet series on the Bush War / Grensoorlog. This 26 part documentary serie...
Buy online  |   R180.00

Ysterplaat Airshow 2003 (DVD)
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Ysterplaat Airshow 2003 DVD The Ysterplaat airshow are renowned for featuring air displays by classic aircraft such as the Shackleton, Lightnings,...
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WELCOME
Welcome to my privately run, unofficial website on the South African Air Force. It is maintained by myself during my (limited) spare time so please read the Terms of Use. I hope you enjoy the experience and visit again soon. All suggestions are welcome, as are old uniforms, squadron badges, patches, memorabilia, books, etc. - Dean Wingrin
Tumult in the Clouds
New SAAF book launched!

A new book on the personal history of the SAAF has been launched. Titled "Tumult in the Clouds - Stories from the South African Air Force, 1920 - 2010", the book has been compiled by Dean Wingrin who personally interviewed and corresponded with nearly all the contributors.

The South African Air Force (SAAF), formed on 1 February 1920, is the second oldest air force in the Commonwealth. The air arm played a major role in securing victory for the Allies during the Second World War, in the 1948/49 Berlin Airlift, and in Korea in the 1950s. The SAAF assisted Rhodesia in the 1960s and ’70s, made a major contribution to the ‘Border’ or ‘Bush’ war in South West Africa and Angola, participated in the transition to a new democracy in South Africa and continuously supports South African peace missions in Africa. It has also assisted in countless relief and rescue missions in southern Africa throughout this entire period.

However, the SAAF is not just about aircraft and ordnance; it is made up of people and it is in this compilation that these people, airmen and ground crew alike, find their voice. These are their stories, all told in the first person by the actual participants as unvarnished, unabbreviated and intensely immediate and personal recollections.

Through their stories of heroism, duty, adventure and tragedy, the reader will follow the history of the SAAF prior to 1939 to the present day.

To complement the stories, the final chapter includes a collection of squadron pub songs from the Second World War, Korea and the Border War.

The highly successful formal launch took place at the SAAF Museum Flying Training Day, Zwartkop airfield, on Saturday 2 February 2013. Lt Gen Denis Earp, who wrote the Foreword, was guest of honour, together with Maj Gen Tsoku Khumalo and Lt Col Mike O'Conner.

Purchase your copy now fromThe Airforce Shop and other fine bookshops.
 
 
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