01 July
1913
The Early Days / Military Aviation Foundations – Prior to 01 February 1920
A disastrous fire in February 1913 had destroyed all Weston’s aircraft and his workshop, but his dream of the establishment of a flying school for South Africa was about to become a reality. Alas, without Weston for on 1 July 1913, the Paterson Aviation Syndicate was registered in Kimberley.
1918
The Early Days / Military Aviation Foundations – Prior to 01 February 1920
Thomas S. Harrison, a South African pilot, serving with the Royal Flying Corps (World War I), flying a SE5A, shot down a German Hanover C, this was his 2nd confirmed air-to-air victory. Horace D. Barton, a South African pilot, serving with the Royal Flying Corps & Royal Air Force (World War I), flying a SE5A, shot down a German LVG-C, this was his 8th confirmed air-to-air victory.
1942
Operations, Statistics and Combat Claims
1 Squadron formally adopted a ‘Fluid Four’ formation posture in favour of the previous ‘Four Line Astern’ formation posture in an effort to commence standardisation of SA Air Force Battle Formation Postures and Tactics.
Base/Unit/Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates
22 Squadron was formed in Durban by renaming 31 Flight to 22 (Torpedo-Bomber-Reconnaissance) Squadron. It was equipped with a number of ex-South African Airways Junkers Ju 86s as well as a number of Anson aircraft. The unit’s assigned roles were to conduct anti-submarine, coastal reconnaissance and convoy support duties, along the South African Coastline. 25 Squadron was formed from ’33 Flight’ - Port Elizabeth (1st time) as a Torpedo, Bomber & Reconnaissance Squadron.
Accidents / Losses / Incidents
1 Squadron Two Hurricanes (serial unknown) allocated to 1 Squadron reportedly crashed
5 Squadron A Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk (ET915) crashed; it hit a truck during take-off.
24 Squadron A Boston (Z2298) crashed, when it flew into the ground during bad-weather, on return from an operational mission.
1943
Base/Unit/Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates
No 11 Operational Training Unit was established at Waterkloof.
Accidents / Losses / Incidents
7 Squadron A Hurricane (HV850) allocated to 7 Squadron, crashed.
Unidentified Units A De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth (2432) crashed at Wonderboom. An Airspeed Oxford (1910) crashed during a ground related incident.
1944
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
4 Squadron A Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX (MJ713) crashed during take-off when it hit a (fuel) drum.
1951
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
2 Squadron A Mustang (328) was downed by AAA while flying CAP for 2 other downed SAAF pilots, out of K-10.
1966
Sorties 17 Squadron The SA Seafarer, ran aground 300 meters off-shore from Cape Point. The following 17 Squadron Alouettte III’s participated: 53 (Lt Palin; 2Lt Wilkins and Sgt Oosthuizen); 58 (Lt Peters-Hollenberg, 2Lt Briscoe & Sgt Steyn) and 61 (Cmdt Tatham, 2Lt Bartmann and F/sgt Robertson). Alouette 53 conducted the first rescue (hoist).
1968
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
Unidentified Units A Harvard IIA (7386) was involved in a fatal accident (2 POB) after hitting high-tension wires after take-off.
1978
Base / Unit / Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates Air Force Base Hoedspruit was officially opened.
1982
Base / Unit / Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates 87 Advanced Flying School was re-named to 87 Helicopter Flying School.
1983
Sorties
SWA-Angola Theatre of Operations A flight of Pumas were used to recover a Special Forces element in the Oncocau (Angola) area on completion of Operation BLOUWILDEBEES.
1986
Base / Unit / Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates 89 Combat Flying School established at Air Force Base Pietersburg, in anticipation of the first delivery of the Cheetah D aircraft to the South African Air Force.
2000
General Information The entire Atlas Oryx fleet was ‘grounded’ due to budget limitations, following the support to rescue flood victims in Mozambique earlier the year.
2004
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents An Atlas Oryx (1249) crashed in the area of Kempton Park.
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