The SAAF Forum

As many of you know, I'm busy researching all flight gear used by SAAF, such as helmets, masks, flight suits, life preservers, survival vests, shoes, gloves, etc for a book on all flight gear used by SAAF aircrew since 1945.

I'm building a nice collection, but still have many (many) items on my wish list!

The thread on all my SAAF helmets is at viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9773

If there's interest, I'll post some of my other collection here.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Some of the life jackets in my collection:

Life Jacket Mk4A: Used from the mid 1950’s to the 1970's


Beaufort Mk15: Used from the 1970s to 1990’s (helicopters and slow movers)


Beaufort Mk17: Used in the 1980s to 1990’s (fighters)


Secumar 150 SAF: 1994 - Current (fighters, helicopters and transport)

(The Secumar 150 above is a Frankenstein of two really old and rotten examples, so has a few clips, zips, etc missing. Still looking for a complete example )

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Here are some anti-g garments from my collection:

Dunlop Suits Flying Anti-G Mk 4A (inlet LHS, 1964)


Dunlop Suits Flying Anti-G Mk 5A (inlet RHS, 1962)


ARZ EFA Type 10 M 2 full-body (inlet RHS, 1969)


ARZ EFA Type 10 M 2 full-body (inlet LHS, 1969)


EFA ARZ Type 817 M1 (1974)


ARZ EFA Type 817-M2 (1976)


Betihut (1978)


Clansman Mk2A (1984)


Clansman Anti-G garment Mk10L (1990)


Texcraft Anti-G Garment Impala (1994 - 200s)


Clansman Mk2A modified with white strap for use on PC-7 MkII (must still attach my spare MB clip to the strap)


I know of at least five other g-suit types that I'm missing.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Nice, I also have a Clansman Mk 2 anti-G suit (made 1986). It's far too small for me though - pilot must have been a jockey.

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

A number of combat survival jackets have been used by SAAF pilots, such as:

Original version (as used by jet pilots in the 1970's and 80's. another version was used by helicopter crew)


Current version (since the 1980's):

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?