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PostPosted: 01 Jul 2019, 07:27 
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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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PostPosted: 01 Jul 2019, 07:44 
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Welcome back V. :smt006

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PostPosted: 01 Jul 2019, 07:54 
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Dean wrote:
Welcome back V. :smt006


Hi Dean. :smt023


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PostPosted: 01 Jul 2019, 21:37 
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Great collection of info, a neat start to a new month, thanks! =D>


Spice wrote:
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).


That should of course be Mouille Point, not Cape Point :D

Frank Peters-Hollenberg flew helicopters commercially until last year, well into his 70s!


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PostPosted: 02 Jul 2019, 04:33 
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wideawake wrote:
Great collection of info, a neat start to a new month, thanks! =D>


Spice wrote:
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).


That should of course be Mouille Point, not Cape Point :D

Frank Peters-Hollenberg flew helicopters commercially until last year, well into his 70s!


Thanks :smt023 , I corrected it elsewhere, forgot about this one :oops:


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PostPosted: 02 Jul 2019, 04:33 
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02 July

1940

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
1 Squadron
Two aircraft crashed during ground strafing exercises, the aircraft were stationed at Abu Suier.
Unidentified Units
A Gloster Gauntlet (K5331) was written-off. It seems it was still on the strength of 6 Squadron (RAF) at the time of the accident.

1941

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
Unidentified Units
A Maryland (1615) was reported to have been shot down by hostile anti-aircraft fire, fatally wounding the four crew members, in the vicinity of Derna.

1942

Base / Unit / Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates
7 Squadron joined No 243 Wing at Landing Ground 154 (Western Desert).

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
2 Squadron
A Curtiss Kittyhawk (ET906) allocated to 2 Squadron crashed after being shot-down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109 during a bomber escort mission
12 Squadron
12 Squadron reported the loss of a Boston (Z2198), it was written-off due to ‘severe’ battle damage, it landed safely at its home base, and was then written-off according to the interpretation of the available information
41 Squadron
A Hartbees (838) sustained Cat-1 damage during a taxi incident.

1943

Base / Unit / Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates
26 Squadron crews deployed to commence duties at Pointe Noire.

Sorties
26 Squadron
3 x Wellington; Ferry; Takoradi to Pointe Noire
Unidentified Unit
A number of Dakotas conducted Air Support sortie to Pointe Noire from Takoradi in support of 26 Squadron’s deployment.

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
Unidentified Units
A Fairey Battle (980) crashed in Natal.


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PostPosted: 03 Jul 2019, 11:42 
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03 July

1941

General Information
Italian forces deployed at Gazzera surrendered to Allied Forces (WWII East African Campaign).

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
An Anson (1158) crashed during a sortie.
A Maryland (1606) crashed at the Germiston airfield.

1942

Operations and Operational Statistics
1 Squadron. Hurricanes engaged 15 Stuka, shot-down 13, and damaged the remaining two. A Bf-109 was destroyed and a second damaged too.
The Allied air effort reached its peak in the Desert, and has been called the most critical day in the Battle for Egypt with 151 light bomber and 524 fighter sorties, 132 of the former and 219 of the latter flown by Desert Air Force’s South African squadrons. 1 Squadron performed a ‘mass intercept’ of Luftwaffe aircraft, during which the squadron shot down 13 of 15 Luftwaffe aircraft! A 1 Squadron Hurricane (BG971), shot down an enemy Junkers JU-87.

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
1 Squadron reported the loss of a Hurricane “AX-J”.

1943

General Information
Capt. Langerman (1 Squadron), became one of the first Allied pilots to fly an Fw-190.

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
21 Squadron reported the loss of four Baltimore aircraft:
 Mk III / AH142 (4 fatalities): Shot down by Anti-Aircraft Artillery.
 Mk III / FA345 (3 fatalities): Cause unknown – aircraft missing.
 Mk III / AG977 (3 fatalities): Cause unknown – aircraft missing.
 Mk III / AG877 (2 fatalities): Cause unknown – aircraft missing.

1944

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Consolidated B-24 Liberator (EW199) allocated to 31 Squadron crashed four crew members’ sustained fatal wounds when the aircraft was shot-down during an operational sortie.
Supermarine Spitfire: 1 Squadron: Mk IX ‘MA510’ (fatal) shot down and an Mk IX ‘LZ861’ also reported to have been shot-down by hostile ground fire.
Supermarine Spitfire: 7 Squadron: Mk IX ‘MH971’ shot down.

1964

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A C-47 Dakota (6875) was destroyed by ground fire at Rand Airport.

1987

Aircraft Deliveries
Impala Mk II: 1054.


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PostPosted: 03 Jul 2019, 11:56 
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Spice wrote:
03 July
1964

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A C-47 Dakota (6875) was destroyed by ground fire at Rand Airport.

As in fire on the ground, not weapon fire from the ground. 8)

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PostPosted: 03 Jul 2019, 16:42 
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Dean wrote:
Spice wrote:
03 July
1964

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A C-47 Dakota (6875) was destroyed by ground fire at Rand Airport.

As in fire on the ground, not weapon fire from the ground. 8)


:smt023


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PostPosted: 04 Jul 2019, 05:29 
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04 July

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 LVG C and Pflaz DIII, this was his 3rd and 4th confirmed air-to-air victories.

1941

Sorties
1 Squadron
Five Hurricanes flew Combat Air Patrol sorties.

1942

Operations, Statistics and Combat Claims
1 Squadron reported the possible shoot down of a Luftwaffe Junkers Ju-87. The Hurricane was the same aircraft from which the kill on 03 July 1942 had been claimed.

Sorties
The 1st Combat Air Patrol sortie was flown by 7 Squadron – Hurricanes.

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
1 Squadron lost two Hurricanes during combat operations: ‘BG971’: Shot down by Luftwaffe Bf-109; the second aircraft’s identity is unknown.

1974

Aircraft Deliveries
Impala Mk II: 1003.

1983

Sorties
32 Battalion (Op NEPTUNE) was provided with Impala Mk II Close Air Support sorties in an area north west of Ionde (Angola).

2000

General Information
All five Boeing B-707s based at Waterkloof (60 Squadron) were grounded due to ‘maintenance’ issues.

2005

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
An Impala Mk 2 (1068), allocated to 85 Combat Flying School crashed in the Hoedspruit area, following a bird-strike.


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PostPosted: 05 Jul 2019, 08:01 
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05 July

1941

Sorties
1 Squadron. 12 Hurricanes conducted a Fighter Sweep, one aircraft lost and two Ju-87s shot down.

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Hurricane was lost during a Fighter Sweep sortie, belonging to 1 Squadron.

1942

Base / Unit / Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates
A flight of 7 Squadron was re-equipped with Hurricane Mk IIIB’s.

1943

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Mosquito Mk II (DD743) was involved in a fatal accident.
A Harvard Mk IIA (7251) was involved in a fatal accident.
A Boston (AL762) allocated to 24 Squadron was written-off during a fatal accident. The aircraft’s four crew members did not survive the accident. It reportedly crashed 6 nm off Cape Carthage.

1944

Base / Unit / Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates
40 Squadron arrived at Malignane from Castiglione.

1945

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Harvard Mk IIA (7204) crashed during a training mission.

1951

Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Spitfire Mk IXe (5532) crashed due to engine failure in the Langebaan area.

1952

Base / Unit / Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates
6 Squadron was re-formed as part-time Active Force unit in Port Elizabeth operating Harvard trainer aircraft.

1983
Base / Unit / Squadron Status, Deployment and Allocation Updates
No 5 Maintenance Unit commenced operations at Air Force Base Ondangwa.

1989

General Information
An American surveillance satellite reportedly detected a ‘rocket plume’ launched form Arniston, identical to the characteristics of a Jericho II’s plume. This was detected approximately 500nm south of Arniston, and could have been a RSA-2 or 3 system fired in the OTB Test Range.

1996

General Information
The Mirage F-1 aircraft celebrated its 21st Anniversary in service with the South African Air Force.


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PostPosted: 06 Jul 2019, 07:56 
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06 July

1938
Aircraft Deliveries
Hart 1:317 and 318.

1941
Sorties
1 Squadron. Nine Hurricanes conducted Combat Air Patrols.
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Curtiss Tomahawk (AK401) allocated to 2 Squadron was damaged by hostile ground fire during a sortie and executed a crash-landing.

1942
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Month (2273), crashed during a low-level exercise as result of a stall.

1945
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Ventura (6099) crashed during landing at Air Force Base Pietersburg, when the aircraft’s brakes failed which caused the undercarriage to collapse, and subsequently an engine broke-off too.
A Junkers Ju-86 (651) was written-off during an accident.

1942
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Fury (208) reportedly crashed in the Cato Ridge area.

1943
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Bristol Blenheim (BA374) crashed after being ‘hit’ by another aircraft (presumably during a mid-air).

1944
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
An Anson (4312) was involved in a fatal accident (5 persons on board), when it broke-up in mid-flight.

1945
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Harvard (7346) was written-off during a ground collision with another Harvard.

1977
Sorties
A Buccaneer (422) deployed to conduct rocket and flare trials at St Lucia.

1978
Sorties
It is said that the Mirage F1’s entered ‘the War - by default’ and described in the book ‘VLAMGAT’: “On 6 July 1978, Capt. Steve Ferreira flew a 2 Squadron Mirage IIIR2Z on a Reconnaissance mission from Air Force Base Mpacha. Capt. Andre vd Heever, flying a Mirage F1AZ accompanied him on the mission into Zambia, flying the first operational sortie by a Mirage F1”.

1979
Sorties
Operation REKSTOK II: Two Buccaneer (24 Squadron) and seven Mirage F-1AZs (1 Squadron) conducted interdiction missions against the Tobias Haneko Training Camp (SWAPO) approximately 10 nm North East of Lubango (Angola).
Four Canberras (12 Squadron), supported the RhAF to attack targets in Mozambique (OP CUCUMBER).
Aircraft Losses / Accidents / Incidents
A Mirage IIIR2Z (856), was shot-down by anti-aircraft artillery during low-level tactical reconnaissance mission in Southern Angola, over the Ongiva area. The pilot Capt. Otto Schur ejected and was rescued. The aircraft belonged to the ‘Recce Flight’ at 2 Squadron.


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PostPosted: 14 Jul 2019, 11:13 
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Please keep Spice in your thoughts. He has had to take a break in the white hotel for a short spell. He is on the mend and should be back to fulfilling our historical fix soon.

Get well soon V. :smt023

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PostPosted: 15 Jul 2019, 12:15 
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Get well soon V


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PostPosted: 15 Jul 2019, 12:56 
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Message from Vern today:
Quote:
I was admitted to hospital 10 days ago with extreme DVT which Dr told me was life threatening at time of admission.
Last week's surgery to remove the trombosis was planned for 30 min. Four hours later the surgeon called it abort with no success. He elected to retry and gain entry into artery in left leg yesterday, 3 75 hours later a partial result, removed 100+ clots. I am doing ok, however will undergo a third session in a few weeks. Hope to be discharged tonight and regainbmy energy resting at home.

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