The SAAF Forum

26 March

1925
Accidents
A de Havilland DH-9 (128) was written-off following an accident - no further information.

1930
Accidents
An Avro 504K (429) was written-off following an accident, the pilot survived the accident. It was involved in a mid-air collision with a de Havilland DH-9.

1941
General Information
Lt Kershaw, 3 Squadron, became the first SAAF pilot to be awarded the DSO.
Sorties
Unidentified Squadrons. A Lodestar conducted an Air Support mission from Nairobi to Germiston.
51 Flight. One Ju-52 flew a support mission from Eastleigh.

1942
Accidents
A de Havilland Tiger Month (2181) crashed during a low-level exercise.

1943
Accidents
A Boston (AL-276) allocated to 24 Squadron did not return from an interdiction mission.
A Ventura (6061), allocated to 22 Squadron, suffered engine failure after take-off and crashed.
Three Curtis Kittyhawks were involved in accidents: 4 Squadron: ET-851; possibly shot down by anti-aircraft artillery; one Prisoner of War. / 5 Squadron: EV-430; missing from interdiction mission, pilot presumed killed. / 5 Squadron: AK-615; possibly shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
Two Baltimore aircraft crashed during missions: 21 Squadron: AG-919, Baltimore Mk III; engine failure – forced landing. / 21 Squadron: AG-956, Baltimore Mk III; forced landing (reason unknown).

1944
Accidents
A Vickers Wellington Mk IX (MP692), suffered engine failure after take-off and ditched.

1945
Accidents
An Anson (3174) was involved in an accident.
A Harvard (7372) crashed in the Rietkuil area.

1957
Accidents
An AT-6A Harvard (7644), crashed during a night navigation exercise. The crew sustained fatal injuries.

1971
Accidents
A Canadair CL13B Sabre Mk.6 (377) was written-off during an accident on the Bloubergstand beach area.
General Information
The prototype Casa-212 Aviocar also took to the skies for the first time, the Air Force operates a number of Casa 212 (-300s).

1977
Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 32 at Van Rynsdorp, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.

1981
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF
Impala Mk II serial 1082 / 1083.

1987
Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 113 at Langebaanweg, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.

1988
Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 143 at Rand Airport, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.

1992
Accidents
An S-316 Alouette III (40[2]), crashed in the Louis Trichardt area.

2003
General Information
The first all-black crew mission took place in the South African Air Force, from 21 Squadron in a Falcon 50 that flew from Waterkloof to Bloemspruit then back to Waterkloof.

2006
Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 481 at Simonstown, equipped with PC-7 Mk II Astra aircraft.
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 482 at Langebaanweg, equipped with PC-7 Mk II Astra aircraft.

27 March

1918
Information Note. J. Bell, a South African , serving in the and Royal Flying Corps, flying a Sopwith Camel during World War 1 shot-down a German LVG-C (Kill Claim #13).

1941
The following missions were flown:
3 Squadron. A Hurricane escorted three aircraft allocated to 12 Squadron during a bombing mission. Two Hurricanes were scrambled – unsuccessful. Two aircraft escorted an 11 Sqn mission. Two Combat Air Patrols were also flown.
51 Flight. A Ju-52 conducted a mission from Nairobi to Khartoum.
3 Squadron’s HQ contingent had their first view of enemy aircraft, when four Fiat CR.42 aircraft attacked their airfield.

1 Squadron took part in the fighting around the key Italian fortress at Keren, which fell on 27 March 1941.It is reported that during the ‘Battle for Keren’, +- 4,000 Allied troops and 3,000 enemy troops lost their lives.

1942
5 Squadron: A Tomahawk IIB (AN448) successfully shot down a Bf-109 approximately 15nm from El Adem.
A Master (2628) reportedly crashed.
Two Curtiss Tomahawks, allocated to 2 Squadron were shot down by enemy aircraft (most likely Bf-109s), the serial numbers were AN-295 and AN439.

1943
The following Curtiss Kittyhawk aircraft were written-off during operational missions:
4 Squadron; EV-418; Pilot – Prisoner of War.
4 Squadron; AK-741; Aircraft did not return from interdiction mission.
4 Squadron; ET-244; Damaged by anti-aircraft fire; returned to home base; written-off.
5 Squadron; AK-766; fatal accident – crashed on road.
5 Squadron; ET-926 and ET-1025; Damaged by anti-aircraft fire; returned to home base; written-off.

A 1 Squadron Spitfire V intercepted and damaged a Messerschmitt Me-210 approximately 30nm North West of Gabes.

1944
A Harvard Mk IIA (7283) was involved in a fatal accident – a wing broke off during flight.

1945
A 22 Squadron Ventura, participated in a Search and Rescue mission for a USAAF B-17 Fortress that had been reported missing. After an 18hour search, the aircraft was found in Southern Portugal subsequent to a forced landing.

A Harvard Mk III (7420) crashed in the Heidelberg area, both crew sustained fatal injuries.

1968
A de Havilland Vampire (225) was involved in a fatal mid-air collision with a Sabre in the Pietersburg area.

2004
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 424 at Simonstown, equipped with PC-7 Mk II Astra aircraft.

28 March

1935
General Information
The first Consolidated PBY Catalina made its prototype flight. The South African Air Force took delivery of a number of Catalina’s during World War II.

1941
Sorties
3 Squadron. Two Hurricanes were scrambled to do an intercept from Jiggaga, it was not successful.
Accidents and Losses
A 18-08 Lodestar (ex ZS-AST, c/n 2034), crashed during bad weather in the Eland’s Bay area. There were seven fatalities.
Deployment and Allocation Updates
Four Gladiator aircraft were attached to 3 Squadron.
General Information
The Jiggiga airfield came under attack, where 3 Squadron was deployed at, by four Italian Fiat aircraft.

1942
Accidents and Losses
A Boston allocated to 12 Squadron, was written-off due to shrapnel damage after returning safely to home base, one crew member sustained fatal injuries. Aircraft serial: Z-2198.

1944
Accidents and Losses
A Curtiss Kittyhawk (5069) crashed at Waterkloof.

1945
Sorties
3 Squadron. Two Spitfires flew a Weather Reconnaissance sortie.

1969
Accidents and Losses
A Dakota (6818) was involved in an accident.

1977
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF
Impala Mk II serial 1035.

1981
Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 48 at Goodwood, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.

1982
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF
Impala Mk II serial 1096.

1991
General Information
The remaining Buccaneers , allocated to 24 Squadron were withdrawn from active service during a final farewell parade held at Air Force Base Waterkloof.

2002
General Information
ZS-RSA, the South African Air Force’s Boeing B-737 BBJ was rolled-out at the Boeing factory in the United States of America.

29 March

1941
The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
Hurricane (287) “S’ destroyed on the ground, during a strafing run executed by an CR32 aircraft, following the aircraft initially being shot-up by own ground fire earlier the day!
A Vickers Valentia (264) was destroyed by enemy aircraft (strafing) at Jigjigga airfield. No loss of life reported. A Junkers Ju-52/3M (serial 660, ex ZS-AFD) was also destroyed during the strafing.
3 Squadron ‘ran short’ of Hurricanes, as a stop-gap measure, 12 Gladiators were allocated from 94 Squadron (Royal Air Force).

1942
The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
A 5 Squadron Curtiss Tomahawk IIB (AN-448) shot down a Luftwaffe Bf-109.
A Maryland (1679) crashed after take-off – cockpit hatch opened, one fatality reported.

1943
The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
A de Havilland Tiger Month (2476), crashed in the Bloemfontein area.
5 Squadron reported the loss of the following Curtiss Kittyhawk aircraft: ET-793 ; shot down by hostile anti-aircraft artillery. / ET-1021; shot down by hostile anti-aircraft fire – ditched.

1944
5 Squadron reported the loss of the following Curtiss Kittyhawk aircraft:
FX-574; ditched during operational mission. (C/L?)
FX-714; damaged by hostile anti-aircraft fire – written-off at home base.

1945
The following sorties were flown:
3 Squadron. Spitfires conducted 18 Air-to-Ground sorties against oil filed infrastructure and eight aircraft performed Escort sorties for Air Drop aircraft.
The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
11 Squadron reported the loss of a Curtiss Tomahawk (FT945) crashed – engine failure after take-off.
A Hurricane (5341) crashed in the Pretoria area, the pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft ran out of fuel.
A Supermarine Spitfire (PT-455), allocated to 3 Squadron suffered engine failure whilst escorting transport aircraft (apparently C-47 Dakotas).

1958
Sorties
A Shackleton conducted a second flight to Marion Island, following a successful first flight earlier the month.

1969
Accidents and Losses
A Harvard IIA (7291) was involved in a fatal accident in the Thabazimbi area.

1979
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF
Impala Mk II serial 1059.

30 March

1941
Accidents and Losses
No 51 Flight reported the following: 1 x Ju-52 (660) destroyed by fire; 1 x Ju-52 (669) damaged by machine gun fire; and No 50 Flight reported 1 x Valentia (264) destroyed by fire. All these aircraft were on the ground when damaged/destroyed.
Sorties
3 Squadron. Three Spitfires were scrambled to intercept hostile aircraft, unsuccessful.

1943
Accidents and Losses
A Ventura (6003) crashed.

1944
Accidents and Losses
Two fatal Kittyhawk accidents took place at Umkomaas. The aircraft were reported to be serials 5006 and 5096.
27 Squadron reported an aircraft accident that involved one of the units Ventura aircraft (6404), apparently the brakes failed and the aircraft then overshot the runway on landing.

1945
Sorties
3 Squadron. Spitfires conducted 20 Air-to-Ground sorties against ground deployments.

1946
Accidents and Losses
An Anson (1103) crashed at Khartoum during landing.

1955
Accidents and Losses
17 Squadron reported a loss of a Ventura (6527) in the Port Elizabeth area.

1979
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF
Impala Mk II serial 1057.

1988
Accidents and Losses
An Impala Mk II (1010) was involved in an accident in the Ondangwa area. (If my memory recalls correctly, a ‘panel’ opened in-flight).

1994
Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 274 at Hoedspruit, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.

2004
General Information
Buccaneer ‘412’ was unveiled as a static display at AFB Waterkloof

2006
Operations and Statistics
The Pilatus PC-7 Mk II aircraft reached the 100,000 flying hours mark.

2013
Accidents and Losses
An Agusta A-109 (4018), allocated to 15 Squadron, crashed during an Anti-Poaching mission in the Kruger National Park. Tragically five members of the SANDF sustained fatal injuries during the accident.

31 March

1939

General Information
The prototype Master made its first flight.
SAAF Order of Battle
Hartbees (65), Hart (74 with 23 still to be delivered), Fury (6), Wapiti (23), Tutor (37/still in production), Airspeed Envoy (6), Hurricane Mk1 (3 with 4 still to be delivered), Bristol Blenheim (1), Fairey Battle (1), Gloster AS.31 (1), DH.66 Hercules (3) and DH9J (1).

1941
Accidents and Losses
The following aircraft were reportedly destroyed at Jijiga (Giggiga) airfield during an attack conducted by the Italian Air Force: 1 x Valentia; 1 x Ju-52; 1 x Hartbees; 1 x Hurricane. A number of aircraft were damaged too, these being: 2 x Ju-52; 1 x Vega Gull; 1 x Rapide; and 1 x Hurricane. Two Italian Air Force aircraft crashed while attacking the aerodrome.
A Fairy Battle (907), crashed.
A Hurricane (VT733) allocated to 1 Squadron, was shot down, in the Asmara area. The pilot was fatally wounded.
Sorties
3 Squadron
2 x 2 Hurricane flights from Jijiga (Giggiga) escorted three Ju-86 (12 Sqn) and three Battles (11 Sqn). Three Gladiators conducted Tactical Reconnaissance from the deployment at Diredawa airfield, one of the aircraft performed a forced landing.

1942
Accidents and Losses
A de Havilland Tiger Month (2251), crashed during a low-level flying in the Kroonstad area, the aircraft struck a ground object (telephone pole).
A 2 Squadron Curtiss Tomahawk (AN-429) whilst in the circuit, preparing to land, was shot-down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109!

1943
Accidents and Losses
A Hartbees (810) was written-off during an accident in the Eastleigh area of Nairobi, fatally injuring the pilot Capt. Donnelly - no further information available.
Two Airspeed Oxfords (3448 and 3729) were involved in a mid-air collision.
An Airspeed Oxford (3716), crashed in the in the Alicedale area along the Bushman’s River, during a night flying sortie. Both crew sustained fatal injuries.
A Master (2879) was written-off during a forced landing, the aircraft’s reduction gear and propeller fell off in flight.

1944
Accidents and Losses
Two Harvard Mk IIAs (7160 and 7217) were involved in a fatal mid-air collision during low-level aerobatics.

1945
Sorties
3 Squadron. Eight and four Spitfires conducted Combat Air Patrols and Escort duties respectively.

1952
Accidents and Losses
Two Supermarine Spitfires (5561 and 5616) crashed during landing at Air Force Base Ysterplaat.

1975
Information Note
South African and Israeli officials met to discuss the possible sale of Main Battle Tanks, Fast Attack Craft to South Africa, as well as joint development of aircraft engines. During the meeting, an official offer was made to sell Jericho nuclear capable missiles to South Africa.

1976
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF
Impala Mk II serial 1022.

1983
Two Puma helicopters deployed to the Evale Helicopter Administration Area to support 32 Battalion. An undisclosed number of Impala aircraft were also on standby (most likely at Ondangwa).

1999
8 Squadron was disbanded at AFB Hoedspruit.

2005
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 460 at Langebaanweg, equipped with PC-7 Mk II Astra aircraft.