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August...Events: Date Unknown:
1926
Information Note: The first prototype Avro Avian flight took place, the Air Force took delivery of a number of Avians.
1934
Directorate Civil Aviation was transferred to the Department of Defence, and the post of Director Civil Aviation was suspended.
1936
The South African Air Force received seven Hawker Furies (200-206) following the purchase thereof in 1935.
This was the first single-seat fighter that had entered service since the introduction in 1920 of the 22 x S.E.5As (Imperial Gift). These aircraft were allocated to Central Flying School until early 1939 when they were transferred to No 2 Fighter-Bomber Squadron.
1939
3 Squadron moved from Waterkloof to Port Elizabeth and then later disbanded.
1940
1 Squadron engaged two Italian CR.42s during a dogfight, thereby drawing 1st blood following their entry to the East African Campaign.
1941
The following Squadron deployment and or equipment changes took place:
• No 3 South African Wing formed with two units (12 Squadron and 24 Squadron - both operating Martin Maryland) - World War II campaign.
• 1 Squadron re-deployed to Fuka from Sidi Barrni.
• 2 Squadron deployed to Sidi Haneish.
• 21 Squadron deployed to Landing Ground 21 from Shandur. The unit was part of 261 Wing.
• 60 Squadron deployed to Landing Ground 201 from Landing Ground 100.
1942
21 Squadron was re-equipped with Martin Baltimore aircraft, and deployed from Shandur to Landing Ground ‘Y’ via Landing Ground ‘Z’.
24 Squadron deployed to Landing Ground 99 from landing Ground ‘Y’.
6 Squadron based at Durban was relocated to their new base at Eerste River in Cape Town, and received 14 Hawker Fury aircraft.
1 Squadron conducted their last missions using Hawker Hurricane IIB aircraft; these were replaced by the IIC versions. 1 Squadron then deployed to Landing Ground 154 from Landing Ground 92.
40 Squadron continued operational conversion and type training to the Hawker Hurricane Mk II aircraft.
1943
The following Squadron deployment and or equipment changes took place:
• 1 Squadron moved onto the Italian mainland, where the unit remained for the rest of World War II, operating partly as a fighter squadron, and partly as a ground attack unit, attacking German lines of communication behind the front line. The unit also received its first Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX. During this month the unit deployed from Lentini west to Isola to Cassano and finally to Scanzano.
• 2 Squadron deployed from Faro to Isola to Cassano to Scanzanno.
• 5 Squadron deployed from Agone to Grottuglie to Bari.
• A 28 Squadron Detachment ceased operating at Ras el Ma. Detachments were sent to Oudna, Pachino and Bari.
• 60 Squadron deployed from Sabratha to Ariana.
The Officer Commanding of 26 Squadron requested the deployment of his unit to a ‘more active theatre of operations’, this was denied by the relevant headquarters.
1944
The following Squadron deployment and or equipment changes took place:
• 5 Squadron ceased operating Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk IV and received North American Mustang Mk IIIs.
• 60 Squadron conducted its last missions using de Havilland Mosquito PRIX aircraft.
A Lockheed Ventura (6052) was involved in an accident.
1945
The following Squadron deployment and or equipment changes took place:
• 17 Squadron flew its last Vickers Wellington Mk XIII operations from Gianacles.
• 21 Squadron concluded its participation in World War II, this also saw the end of their operations using Marauder aircraft. The unit was deployed at Rivolto at this time.
• 28 Squadron returned to South Africa after doing service in World War II. Aircraft type DC-3, Anson, Heron 2 and Devon, Lockheed Ventura and Harvard were on strength at the new home base - Swartkop. The unit also flew its last World War II missions using Douglas Dakota aircraft, from Blache airfield.
A Lockheed Ventura (6524) was involved in an accident.
1946
The Bombing, Gunnery and Air Navigation School received its first 10 Avro Anson aircraft following its establishment earlier during August 1946.
1948
A Lockheed Ventura (6080) was involved in an accident.
1956
1 Squadron’s de Havilland Vampires were finally replaced by the Canadair Sabre CL13Bs.
1958
According to published sources, the South African Air Force had evaluated the following aircraft as Strategic Bombers, the Mirage IVA, Victor and Vulcan as part of the planned Force Modernisation Program.
1968
Information Note: The first Aerospatiale S330C Puma (initial export variant) flight took place in France.
1982
The first Dassault Falcon 50 (ZS-CAS) was delivered to 21 Squadron.
1983
ZS-LIG, a Cessna 550 Citation was delivered to the South African Air Force, this aircraft is operated by 21 Squadron.
ZS-LME, a HS-125 Mercurius was delivered to the South African Air Force. It was not part of the original order in the early 70’s.
1985
Information Note (Border War): Operation MAGNETO commenced, when SADF elements assisted UNITA against FAPLA forces (Op 2nd Congress). This operation entailed SADF Artillery Advisors and Medical staff attached to UNITA elements in the Cazombo Front. The South African Air Force, contributed by providing logistic transport flights from Grootfontein to forward bases, as well as ‘trooping’ missions from Mavinga airfield (most likely Pumas).
1987
Ten Aermacchi/Atlas Impala Mk II light attack aircraft deployed to Air Force Base Rundu, and 12 x Dassault-Breguet Mirage F-1AZ, four Blackburn Buccaneers and three English Electric Canberra deployed to Air Force Base Grootfontein.
1990
The last flight of a Westland Wasp in South African Air Force service with 22 Squadron took place from Air Force Base Ysterplaat.
1992
Following the introduction into service in the mid-80’s the South African Air Force displayed its Boeing B-707 to the public for the first time at Pietersburg, during the 25 Anniversary air show of the establishment of 85 Combat Flying School.
1993
The following former South African Air Force Aermacchi/Atlas Impala Mk-1s arrived in the USA: 468, 469, 471, 472, 474, 478, 481, 493, 497 and 498.
2000
The Belgian Air Force’s 2nd Air Wing deployed to the RSA, Air Force Base Louis Trichardt to conduct cooperative training with 2 Squadron operating Cheetah C and D aircraft. The Belgian deployment consisted of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.
01 September ...
1918
Information Note: Arthur E. Reed, a South African pilot serving with the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force (WW1), flying a SE5A, successfully shot-down a German Fokker DVII, it was his 15th confirmed ‘kill’.
1939
The following Air Force Squadrons were formed: 13, 17 and 19 Squadron. The latter unit as part of the so-called ‘Airways Wing’ at Swartkop operating militarized Junkers Ju-52/3Ms transport aircraft.
An Airspeed AS6J Envoy (257) suffered engine failure and crashed during the attempted forced landing. The incident took place in South West Africa, exact location not known. No fatalities reported.
1941
Sqn/Sorties/Aircraft Type/Mission/Home Base/Remarks
1/29/Hurricane/CAP/Sidi Barrani East/-
2 Squadron deployed to Sidi Barrani (North) from Sidi Haneish.
1942
The following aircraft losses were reported:
• Curtiss Kittyhawk ET575: 2 Squadron; 1 fatality, lost in the vicinity of El Alamein, it is presumed to have been shot down by opposing fighter aircraft.
• Curtiss Kittyhawk EV351: 2 Squadron; Shot down by two Bf-109s; 16nm SW of Alamein.
• Curtiss Kittyhawk EV366: 2 Squadron; Abandoned by pilot in the vicinity of El Alamein after it had been damaged during an air-to-air engagement with a Bf-109.
• Curtiss Kittyhawk ET903; 4 Squadron; 1 fatality when the aircraft was hit from behind on the runway at Landing Ground 97 by a P-40 allocated to the US forces.
• Curtiss Kittyhawk ET904: 4 Squadron; written-off during cross-wind landing.
• An Avro Anson (3266) whilst departing from Youngsfield, during bad weather conditions, hit a tree and high tension wires, fatally injuring one crew member on-board the aircraft.
• Curtiss Tomahawk: AK559: 5 Squadron, 1 fatality, shot down by unidentified hostile forces fighter aircraft.
• Curtiss Tomahawk: AM390: 5 Squadron, missing from a fighter escort duty mission.
• A Douglas Boston (AL674) belonging to 24 Squadron crashed, three fatalities were reported, after it had conducted an interdiction mission against opposing forces tanks.
• A Hawker Hurricane allocated to 1 Squadron was reported to have been involved in an accident (no further information).
1944
40 Squadron down-sized from three flights to two flights.
The following aircraft losses were reported:
• A report indicated that a Bristol Beaufighter crashed no further information available.
• A Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX (MA475) crashed due to fuel starvation after a strike mission, it belonged to 1 Squadron.
• A Lockheed Ventura (JT827) allocated to 17 Squadron did not return from a maritime patrol mission along the Italian coastline. Five crew on-board.
1951
A 2 Squadron North American Mustang (342) was involved in a fatal accident during an operational mission in Korea.
1952
Two North American Harvards (7033 and 7120) were involved in a fatal mid-air collision, two fatalities reported.
1981
Operation PROTEA: Five English Electric Canberra aircraft (12 Squadron) attacked targets North East of Ongiva; and the same target was later attacked by three pairs of 1 Squadron Dassault-Breguet Mirage F-1AZs.
1984
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (Impala Mk 1) flew show number 89 at Saldanha.
1987
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (Impala Mk 1) flew show number 124 & 125 at Pretoria.
1990
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (Impala Mk 1) flew show number 178 at Citrusdal.
1997
An Atlas/Denel Cheetah C (360), allocated to 2 Squadron, piloted by Major Keith Fryer was written-off during a take-off accident at Air Force Base Louis Trichardt.
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