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PostPosted: 01 Feb 2019, 07:29 
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01 February

1920

General Information:
During 1919 the South African Government approved the formation of an Air Force, and subsequently in June 1920, with effect from 1 February 1920, Lieutenant Colonel van Ryneveld was appointed Director of Air Services.
The date 1 February 1920 is therefore accepted as the official birthday of the South African Air Force, but is a retrospective date too, because the statutory authority is (apparently) dated 1 February 1923, three years later! The actual date of the recruitment of the first airman (Sgt W.G.L. Harvey) was reported to have been 21 June 1920, Sgt W.J. Parker was attested on 5 July 1920, and the first South African Air Force pilot was, once again, Lieutenant Colonel K.R. van der Spuy, MC, who was attested on 1 April 1921. The retrospective date meant that van Ryneveld was a South African Air Force officer when he made the historic flight to the Cape with Brand (albeit in Royal Air Force uniform).

1923

General Information:
By 1922 the South African Air Force comprised of two flights with six aircraft each, based at Zwartkop, but as already stated not until 1 February 1923 was the South African Air Force listed under the provisions of the Union of South Africa’s Defence Act Amendment Act as one of the units of the reconstituted Permanent Force.
Van Ryneveld proposed the organization of one or two squadrons, of 18 aircraft, divided into three flights each, plus a headquarters or administrative flight each, and the organization of No 1 Flight at Zwartkop began. He arranged the system so that each flight would form the working nucleus of a squadron.
A flight of SE5As was to be the core of a fighting/ground strafing squadron; the 504Ks a training and artillery squadron, and DH9s (and DH4s, 10 of which had been returned by the London Overseas Club, as they had originally been gifts from overseas, plus a further DH9 that had been returned by the City of Birmingham, England. These aircraft, added to the 100 of the Imperial Gift, and Miller’s 2 BE 2Es, meant that South Africa’s Air Force started off with 113 aircraft), were to form the cadre of a long-distance communication, photographic, bombing, and reconnaissance squadron.
The South African Air Force was officially listed as a unit of the reconstituted Permanent Force.

1941

Sorties:
1 Squadron: Hurricanes flew 16 Combat Air Patrols, 12 Ferry flights and two unsuccessful intercepts. Gladiators flew four Ferry flights and two Escorts.

1942

Accidents and Losses:
An Anson (1212) crashed following a mid-air collision during a ‘photo’ sortie. Five crew members sustained fatal injuries.

1943

General Information:
No 43 Air School (Port Alfred): Work commenced to install a HF Direction Finding station at the aerodrome.

Accidents and Losses:
A Bristol Blenheim (BA331) suffered an engine failure and was written-off following an attempted forced-landing.

1944

Accidents and Losses:
A Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB (ER588), allocated to 1 Squadron did not return from a Tactical Reconnaissance mission and it is presumed the pilot did not survive the accident/incident. (Possible C/L)

1945

Accidents and Losses:
22 Squadron participated in an Air Sea rescue mission to search for a Ventura (‘G’ 6455 / 22 Squadron) which had not returned. It was discovered that the aircraft had been involved in a fatal accident – the crew had been reported to have been buried in a single grave in Algiers.
It was reported that a Hurricane crashed, no further information is available.

1946

Accidents and Losses:
A Harvard (7080) crashed when it struck a tree during a low-level mission, the pilot suffered fatal injuries.

1958

Deployment Updates:
16 Squadron, Bravo Flight, became the first South African helicopter squadron to be stationed at Air Force Base Durban.

1968

General Information:
Air Force Station Langebaanweg was renamed to Flying Training School Langebaanweg.

Deployment Updates:
No 16 Squadron was re-established, operating Alouette III helicopters based at Air Force Base Ysterplaat.

1979

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Langebaanweg, this was official display number 40.

1983

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team performed at Langebaanweg, this was official display number 75.

1992

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Worcester, this was official display number 219.

1995

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at the Air Force Day Parade (Pretoria), this was official display number 308.

1996

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Zwartkop, this was official display number 334.

2005

General Information:
The remaining fleet of Atlas Impala Mk 1 and Mk 2 aircraft were withdrawn from active service, the last unit to be equipped with these aircraft was 85 Combat Flying School. The Impala was replaced by the BAE Hawk Mk 120 Lead in Fighter Trainer.


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PostPosted: 03 Feb 2019, 04:14 
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02 February

1939

Accidents and Losses:
A Hartbees (850) was written-off during an accident, fatally injuring both crew members.

1941

Deployment Updates:
1 Squadron deployed to Kassala to support operations in the Kerren area (Kenya), using Agordat as an alternate airfield.

Accidents and Losses:
A Hartbees (834), was shot-down over ‘Hobok’ (Ethiopia?).
A Hurricane (reportedly 291) was involved in an accident.

Operations and Statistics:
Extract: No 12 Squadron (SAAF) Operations Order 59 / Intent: Destroy the two CR42 aircraft at Godwin Airport. Plan & Allocation: 12 Squadron will attack the targets, using three Junkers Ju0-86 aircraft each loaded with four 250lb, four 25 lb and four 20lb bombs Bomb Damage Assessment (photography) will be performed too using equipment fitted to aircraft 649. The following Ju-86 will be used: 649, 650 and 655.

Sorties:
Unidentified Squadrons: A Rapide conducted an Air Support mission for 2 Squadron’s “B2” detachment.
1 Squadron: Six Hurricanes flew Combat Air Patrols whilst one aircraft was tasked to conduct Tactical Reconnaissance. Six Gladiators flew Ferry missions.

1942

Deployment Updates:
40 Squadron deployed at Burg Al Arab, the squadron also received its first Hurricane Mk 1 aircraft.

1943

Accidents and Losses:
A Master M-19 (2884) was involved in a fatal accident in the Standerton area during a night flying mission.

1944

Accidents and Losses:
An Airspeed Oxford (3698) was written-off following a crash.

1945

General Information:
No 262 Squadron (Royal Air Force) was re-numbered and became 35 Squadron (South African Air Force).

1951

Accidents and Losses:
A F-51 Mustang (319), allocated to 2 Squadron, based in Korea crashed during an operational sortie, in the area North East of Wonsan, fatally wounding the pilot.

1953

Deployment Updates:
No 2 Group (South African Air Force) was relocated to Youngsfield, in the Cape Town area.

1968

General Information:
The designation ‘Central Flying School’ was changed and became Flying Training School Dunnottar. This name change lasted till 1977.
Air Force Station Pietersburg was officially re-named and became known as Air Force Base Pietersburg.

1973

Accidents and Losses:

An Impala Mk 1 (485), presumably from Flying Training School Langebaanweg was written-off in an accident in the Darling area (Western Cape). Captain Marshall was fatally injured.

1980

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Ysterplaat, this was official display number 44.

1991

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Worcester, this was official display number 186.

2007

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (PC-7 Mk II / Astra), performed at the Zwartkop, this was official display number 509.


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PostPosted: 03 Feb 2019, 12:28 
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03 February

1939

Aircraft Deliveries:
Hart 1: K3821-3825; K3827-3829; K3956; K4477; K4479; K4485; K4488 and K4490.

1941

Operations and Statistics:
No 1 Squadron claimed a kill on one of two Italian Air Force CR-42s that attacked a Royal Air Force bomber on a mission to Gura Airfield. Later today (1941), 1 Squadron’s Gladiators attacked ground targets at Azozo (Ethiopia), destroying five CR-133 and one S-81 aircraft, belonging to the Italian Air Force

Sorties:
Unidentified Squadrons: A Rapide conducted an Air Support mission for 2 Squadron.
1 Squadron: Hurricanes were tasked with nine Combat Air Patrol and two ferry sorties. Gladiators flew five Ferry missions and five Air to Ground missions. An aircraft also flew a ‘Communications / Liaison’ sortie.

1942

Deployment Updates
1 Squadron. Ordered to deploy from Derna to Gambut, as well as to deploy a detachment to El Adem.

1943

Accidents and Losses:
An Airspeed Oxford (3577) was involved in an accident and written-off.

1944

Accidents and Losses:
A 26 Squadron, Vickers Wellington (HZ524), overshot the runway during night bad weather conditions (reportedly fog) crashing approximately 2nm from the Robert’s Field airbase in Liberia.
A De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth (2322) ditched into a dam, following a steep turn.
A B-26 Marauder (FB478), allocated to 24 Squadron was shot down, fatally wounding four crew members and it was reported that two crew members were taken Prisoner of War.
An Anson (3177), crashed during bad weather conditions approximately 25 nautical south of Riversdale, the crew of four sustained fatal injuries.

1945

Accidents and Losses:

A Hurricane (5351) ditched into the ocean along the coast in the St Alban’s area (South Africa).

1953

Accidents and Losses:
A 17 Squadron Ventura (6442) crashed, reportedly due to engine failure.

1977

General Information:
Flying Training School Dunnottar reverted to its previous name: CFS.

1985

General Information:
The locally built XH-1 Alpha flew for the first time. This aircraft is currently on static display at the South African Air Force Museum.

1988

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Mossel Bay (Diaz Festival), this was official display number 137.

1996

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at the FNB Stadium (Soweto) this was official display number 335.

1997

Accidents and Losses:
A Pilatus PC-7 Mk II (2021), Central Flying School was written-off following an accident in the Langebaanweg area.


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PostPosted: 04 Feb 2019, 05:48 
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04 February

1920

Sorties:
The Silver Queen 1 departed from Brooklands (United Kingdom) to Turin, piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Pierre van Ryneveld and Captain Brand. The aircraft, a Vickers Vimy flew with the registration G-UABA.

1941

Sorties:
1 Squadron: Hurricanes flew 19 Ferry flights, four Combat Air Patrols, three Air-to-Ground sorties and a General Flying sortie. The Gladiators flew six Ferry flights and three attack missions during which one aircraft was written-off (see above).

Accidents and Losses:
A De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth (505) suffered engine failure and crashed, fatally injuring both crew members.
Reports indicate that a Gloster Gladiator allocated to 1 Squadron was written-off due to damage to its main spar (bullet holes).

1942

Accidents and Losses:
A De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth (1546) crashed at Randfontein, both crew sustained fatal injuries.
An Anson (1220), crashed whilst executing a forced landing in the area of Somerset East.

1944

Accidents and Losses:
A Bristol Beaufighter (LZ332), allocated to 16 Squadron, was involved in a fatal mid-air collision.
A 17 Squadron Ventura (FP543) was reported missing during a Maritime Patrol mission. The four crew members were not found.

1945

Accidents and Losses:
A Mustang Mk IVA (KH861) allocated to 5 Squadron was reported missing during an operational mission. The pilot was not found.

1949

Accidents and Losses:
A Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXE (5546) crashed during take-off, presumably at Langebaanweg.

1982

Aircraft Deliveries:
Impala Mk II: 1091.

1984

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Worcester, this was official display number 84.

2004

Sorties:
The first Hawk Mk-120 “SA-001” made its maiden “military” flight at the Test Flight Development Centre. Aircraft serial: 250


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PostPosted: 05 Feb 2019, 05:55 
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05 February

1920

Sorties:
The Silver Queen 1 arrived in Rome (Italy) after a flight which departed from Turin (France).

1941

General Information:
The Battle for Keren commenced (WWII East African Campaign)

Sorties
1 Squadron: At approximately 12h00, four Hurricanes and two Gladiators from 1 Squadron whilst conducting an offensive Combat Air Patrol Asmara, stepped up in echeloned pairs, noticing six Italian Air Force CR.42s also stepped up in pairs, on the port beam. The 1 Squadron aircraft climbed to attack and the CR.42s which tried to evade the intercept, by entering the cloud cover in the area. Captain Driver, in a Hurricane, attacked the leading hostile (CR-42) head on, and struck the engine; the pilot broke-off the attack and headed towards Asmara. Captain Driver again fired at the enemy aircraft, which then reportedly crash landed at an airfield in the vicinity. Lieutenant John Coetzer, in one of the Gladiators, claimed a second in a stern attack, firing three bursts before it dived into a cloud. Pulling up and over the cloud, he saw the CR.42s crash in flames near a road, around 4.8km east of Asmara around 12:45. A third was claimed by Captain Le Mesurier, also in a Hurricane, but this could have been confused with Coetzer's claim. One Gladiator was hit in the engine, but managed to land at Agordat. Italian records show that one CR.42 crash-landed badly damaged and with the pilot slightly wounded, while a second from 412 Squadriglia was shot down, the Sottotenente Giovanni Consoli bailing out. He was badly injured and is reported to have passed away due to injuries sustained. The squadron also flew four Combat Air Patrols using Hurricanes and three Escort missions (latter unknown aircraft).

1942

Accidents and Losses:
A Master M-19 (2729), crashed during landing, when it hit a tractor.
It was also reported that a 1 Squadron Hurricane was written-off, most likely due to hostile action. The serial number is not known.

1943

Sorties:
Unidentified Squadrons: Six Venturas conducted Maritime Patrol missions, via Port Alfred.

Accidents and Losses:
A DH.82A Tiger Moth (562), crashed after take-off (presumably from Wonderboom) when it flew into a hill in the Magaliesberg mountain range

1945

Accidents and Losses:
An Anson (4421), conducting a night flying sortie, became lost, executed a forced landing, writing off the aircraft.

1973

General Information:
The first production variant of the Mirage F-1 made its maiden flight in France. The South African Air Force was to become an operator of both the Mirage F-1AZ and Mirage F-1CZ.

1976

Accidents and Losses:
An Impala Mk 1 (510), presumably from Flying Training School Langebaanweg was written-off in an accident in the Aurora area (Western Cape). The cause of the accident was reported to have been an on-board fire. The crew successfully ejected from the stricken aircraft.

1991

Accidents and Losses:
An Impala Mk 1 (604), from 85 Combat Flying School, Air Force Base Pietersburg was written-off in an accident in the Pietersburg; the cause of the accident remains unknown, however the pilot Lt Neuhoff sustained fatal injuries.


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PostPosted: 06 Feb 2019, 05:52 
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06 February

1941

Deployment Updates:
2 Squadron’s ‘B-1 Detachment’ deployed at Archer’s Post (Kenya) received orders to deploy to Garissa, via Isiola (“Isola”)

Sorties:
1 Squadron: Two Hurricanes conducted formation training. Three Combat Air Patrols and three Escorts were flown using either Hurricanes or Gladiators.

1942

General Information:
No 11 Air Depot was re-established (second time) at Air Force Station Brooklyn (Ysterplaat), where it remained till the unit’s second closure during 1944 (the date not known).

1943

Accidents and Losses:
A Master M-19 (4018) was written-off after it hit a second aircraft (it is assumed to have been on the ground).

Deployment Updates.
1 Squadron Deployed to Catle Benito (part of 244 Wing).

1944

Accidents and Losses:
An Anson (3271), whilst conducting a low-level air-to-ground training mission crashed in the Katberg area, fatally injuring all five on-board.
A PV-1 Ventura (FP635), allocated to 17 Squadron was reported missing whilst on a Maritime Patrol Mission; the crew have been presumed to have not survived the ‘accident’

1945

Accidents and Losses:
A Ventura (6424) belonging to 23 Squadron, suffered hydraulic failure during landing and crashed.

1987

Sorties:

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Bredasdorp, this was official display number 106.

1988

Sorties:
A Buccaneer formation flew a second strike using H2 weapon system against the Cuito Cuanavale Bridge, the results were reported inconclusive.
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Vredenburg, this was official display number 138.

1990

Accidents and Losses:
An Alouette III (42) allocated to 22 Squadron, Air Force Base Ysterplaat crashed on Table Mountain during a mountain rescue mission. This was the last in a series of ‘near’ write-off accidents this Alouette had been involved in.


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PostPosted: 07 Feb 2019, 11:34 
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07 February

1941

Operations and Statistics:
Extract: No 12 Squadron (SAAF) Operations Order 60 / Intent: The primary objective is to conduct photo-reconnaissance of an area of interest and to destroy the bridge over the Juba River. Targets of opportunity may be engaged as a secondary priority. / Plan & Allocation: 12 Squadron’s C-Flight will attack the targets, using three Junkers Ju0-86 aircraft each loaded with four 250lb and eight 20lb bombs Bomb Damage Assessment (photography) will be performed too using equipment fitted to aircraft 658. The following Ju-86 will be used: 643, 648 and 658.

Sorties:
1 Squadron: Two Hurricanes and a Gladiator conducted Navy Cooperation training in the Port Sudan area with HMS Kingston. Three aircraft flew Tactical Reconnaissance flights and one aircraft conducted an Escort mission.

1942

Accidents and Losses:
An Airspeed Oxford (3318), crashed after take-off from Collingdale when it failed to gain altitude, and reportedly struck some trees.

1951

Accidents and Losses:
A F-51 Mustang (307), allocated to 2 Squadron, based in Korea crashed during an operational sortie, after being damaged by hostile ground-to-air fire in the area of Yonghung (North Korea), fatally wounding 2 Lt Leah.

1953

Accidents and Losses:
A Harvard (7414) was involved in a fatal accident, after colliding with Harvard 7073 in-flight.

1958

General Information:
Shackleton MR Mk 3, (1722), construction number 1532, made her first flight in the United Kingdom, painted in South African Air Force colours. The aircraft was coded “P”.

1979

Accidents and Losses:
Two Impala Mk 1 aircraft (496 and 543), presumably from 5 Squadron were written-off during a mid-air collision in the Ixopo area (Natal). The crew safely ejected from both aircraft.

1987

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Paarl, this was official display number 107.

2007

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (PC-7 Mk II / Astra), performed at the Maputo – Mozambique (International Air show), this was official display number 511.

2012

General Information:
Colonel Christo Stroebel accepted command of Air Force Base Ysterplaat.


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PostPosted: 07 Feb 2019, 17:41 
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"1958

General Information:
Shackleton MR Mk 3, (1722), construction number 1532, made her first flight in the United Kingdom, painted in South African Air Force colours. The aircraft was coded “P”."


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PostPosted: 08 Feb 2019, 09:25 
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08 February

1920

Sorties:
The Silver Queen 1 arrived in Sallum (Western Egypt) after a long over-water flight which originated in Rome.

1941

Accidents and Losses:
A Hurricane Mk1 (291) was involved in an accident and reportedly written-off.

Sorties:
1 Squadron: A formation of two Hurricanes performed an unsuccessful intercept mission in the Port Sudan area. Four Combat Air Patrols were flown which included intercepts, together with two aircraft that performed Escort duties.

1942

Accidents and Losses:
Hurricane; ‘un-identified serial’, crashed after being damaged by cannon fire from a Luftwaffe Bf-109 fighter. The aircraft belonged to 1 Squadron
Hurricane (Z5069) was also involved in an accident, presumably on an operational mission – allocated to 1 Squadron.

1943

Deployment Updates:
26 Squadron crews and aircraft deployed to Germiston Airfield to commence their operational training.

Accidents and Losses:
A Hartbees (837) crashed during a mission in the Witbank area.

1944

Accidents and Losses:

Two Supermarine Spitfires were lost during operational missions, after being shot down by enemy anti-aircraft artillery: Serial JK-922, an Mk VC, allocated to 4 Squadron. Serial ER-465, an Mk VB, allocated to 40 Squadron.

1945

Accidents and Losses:
A 12 Squadron B-26 Marauder (HD521), crashed when it overshot the runway during landing.
Three Anson aircraft were written-off during un-related accidents: Serial 1126, crashed – two fatalities. Serial 4272, crashed during a bad weather take-off from East London, both crew sustained fatal injuries. Serial 4364, reported to have crashed as well, no further information.
A Bristol Beaufighter (NT998) was shot-down by enemy anti-aircraft artillery, fatally wounding one crew member.

1982

Accidents and Losses:
A SA-330L Puma (163) was written-off during an operational mission in the Cahama area, Southern Angola.
An Atlas Kudu (983) reportedly crashed; no further information is available as to the location and or fate of the crew.

1985

Accidents and Losses:
A Mirage F-1CZ was written-off, following a fire during landing at Langebaanweg. The aircraft serial was reported to be 205. It is likely to have been during a routine 3 Squadron ‘Air-to-Air Camp’ deployment to the Western Cape. This aircraft was later re-built with parts from the Mirage F-1CZ lost at Air Force Base Rundu in 1987.


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PostPosted: 10 Feb 2019, 04:09 
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09 February

1920

The Silver Queen 1 arrived in Cairo (Egypt) after its flight from Sallum.

1932

An Avian (507) was involved in an accident, the airframe was written-off due to damage caused as result of the accident

1941

2 Squadron (B.1 Detachment) deployed to Husseini Aerodrome from Garissa.
The following missions took place:
1 Squadron: Four Combat Air Patrols and three Escort missions were flown.
2 Squadron: Three Furies flow a Ferry mission from Garissa to Husseini Aerodrome, the aircraft belonged to B1 Detachment.

1943

A Master (2931), crashed after take-off – the aircraft flew into a hill, both crew sustained fatal injuries.

1945

A Bristol Beaufighter (NV121), was shot down during operations by enemy anti-aircraft artillery, the crew survived the accident.


10 February

1920

The Silver Queen 1 departed Cairo (23h36 Cairo Time) en-route to Khartoum (non-stop flight – approximately 850nm!).

1934

The ‘Cape Squadron’ was established thus forming the future nucleus of No 2 Squadron that would be established sometime in the future. The Cape Squadron was established at Zwartkop Air Station.

1941

The following missions were flown:
1 Squadron: Three Combat Air Patrol and three Intercepts were performed (see claims secion).

1942

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
A Fairy Battle (943), crashed at Port Elizabeth, following a reported engine failure after take-off.
A Curtiss Tomahawk (AN243), allocated to 2 Squadron crashed unfortunately the pilot did not survive the accident. (Possible C/L)
An Airspeed Oxford (1939), crashed when it overshot the runway on landing, and then stalled. The accident occurred at Kimberly airfield.

1943

A Boston allocated to 12 Squadron, crashed during take-off, two fatalities were reported.

1954

A Harvard (7659) was involved in a fatal accident when it struck the ground during low-level flying.

1958

An Shackleton MR Mk 3, (1723, c/n 1533) conducted its first flight painted in South African Air Force colours with the code “Q”.

1961
The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
Five persons (including crew) sustained fatal injuries when a C-47B Dakota (6856) crashed at Bizina.
An AOP Auster also crashed at Flagstaff (in the vicinity of Bizina), the aircraft serial was reported to be 5413.

1988

To enhance operational air defence coverage and support of ground and air operations in South Eastern Angola, the South African Air Force commenced Operation ARNO/ARNOTT (sources report different spelling), which saw the first ever operational deployment of a Cactus mobile Surface to Air Missile into Angola.
No 19 Squadron (Zwartkop) deployed a number of Puma helicopters to support the security forces, following an attempted coup in the former homeland territory, Bophuthatswana.

1994

A C-185A (720), crashed in the Carleton area, fatally injuring Lt Esterhuizen.

1998

22 Squadron, stationed at Air Force Base Ysterplaat won the Sword of Peace, sixth time running during the preceding seven year period.


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PostPosted: 11 Feb 2019, 04:14 
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11 February

1920

Accidents and Losses:
The Silver Queen 1 crashed at Wadi Halfa en-route to Khartoum (Sudan). The aircraft was written-off; according to records the engines were undamaged during the accident. The forced-landing took place at night which was reportedly caused by a leaking radiator.

1941

Sorties:
1 Squadron: During a Combat Air Patrol mission, 1 Squadron encountered three CR.42, after the subsequent engagement, a Hurricane (V7705) crashed. The squadron flew 11 Combat Air Patrols.
2 Squadron: A Fury allocated to the B1 Detechment flew a liaison mission and a second aircraft conducted a test flight. B1 is stationed at Husseini aerodrome.

1942

Accidents and Losses:
Two De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth aircraft (1454 and 1468) were involved in presumably two separate fatal accidents in the Randfontein area.

1943

Accidents and Losses:
A Fairy Battle (1054), crashed whilst performing a forced landing, following engine failure incident.
A Master (2772) was written-off during a forced-landing and subsequent wheels-up.

Sorties:
61 Air School: Six Ansons participated in a Navigation Exercise, via Port Alfred from their home base.

1952

Accidents and Losses:
A F-51 Mustang (375), Oil leak, mechanical failure, unable to jettison bombs, crashed while returning to K-46. Fatal accident.

1978

Operations and Statistics:
No 22 Squadron embarked on a historic deployment for the South African Air Force when two members of the unit (Captains Neil Malan and Derek Emery) on-board the SAS Protea which sailed to the continent of Antarctica. These two pilots became the first two South African Air Force pilots to fly a Wasp (93) helicopter in Antarctica. It is most likely to have been in direct support of the establishment of the new South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) base. “SANAE III was built in 1978-79. It consisted of large diameter steel pipes, designed to more easily resist the enormous pressure imposed by the steadily increasing mass of snow. A new field base to support the summer activities was built at Grunehogna and christened ‘Sarie Marais’. Sarie Marias was about 200 km south of SANAE III at the foot of the Grunehogna Mountains.” In the years thereafter, the South African Air Force on a regular basis conducted missions in support of the South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) missions in Antarctica, primarily using two SA-330J Puma helicopters (ZS-HJA and ZS-HIZ) operating of the SA Agulhas. With the introduction of the Oryx M2, the J-models were withdrawn from service. The service was later taken over by civilian operators in South Africa.

2012

Aircraft Deliveries:
The South African Air Force’s Museum, received the Atlas XTP-1 Puma (ex SA-330L serial 190).


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PostPosted: 11 Feb 2019, 06:07 
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Spice wrote:
11 February

... two members of the unit (Captains Neil Malan and Derek Emery) on-board the SAS Protea ...


I remember Cdt Emery when I was based at Ysterplaat, a real gentleman with a moustache that would have made a RAF officer proud.

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PostPosted: 11 Feb 2019, 07:25 
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Dean wrote:
Spice wrote:
11 February

... two members of the unit (Captains Neil Malan and Derek Emery) on-board the SAS Protea ...


I remember Cdt Emery when I was based at Ysterplaat, a real gentleman with a moustache that would have made a RAF officer proud.

:smt023


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PostPosted: 12 Feb 2019, 06:33 
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12 February

1941

Sorties:
1 Squadron: The following operational sorties were reported to have been flown by Hurricanes: two Combat Air Patrols, one Intercept (Port Sudan area – turned out to be an allied Blenheim). One Hurricane done a general Flying sortie. Six additional Combat Air Patrols were also reported.
2 Squadron: Two Furies assigned to the B1 Detachment flew General Flying from Husseini aerodrome.

1943

Accidents and Losses:
A Hurricane belonging to 7 Squadron “the Lords of the Sky”, HV337 was involved in a fatal accident.

General Information:
No 43 Air School (Port Alfred): Passing Out Parade held for the 19th Air Gunnery Course.

Sorties:
61 Air School: Five Ansons returned to home base after a night stop at Port Alfred, see 11 February.

1944

Accidents and Losses:
A 17 Squadron, Ventura (FP593) did not return from a Maritime Patrol mission, the four crew members were not found.

1975

Information Note:
UNITA, South African ‘Military Intelligence’ officials and members of ‘BOSS’ (Bureau of State Security) met at Cangumbe (Angola) to discuss ‘matters of mutual affairs’


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PostPosted: 13 Feb 2019, 16:21 
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13 February

1941

Sorties:
1 Squadron: 1 Squadron was involved in a air-to-air engagement (5 Hurricane vs. 4 x CR42), the unit shot down 1 x CR42. A total of seven Hurricane Combat Air Patrols were flown, which included the latter intercepts. A single Hurricane also performed a routine test flight (post maintenance).
2 Squadron: Two Furies conducted sorties from Husseini aerodrome (B1 Detachment)
5 Squadron: During routine 5 Squadron operations, Hurricanes conducting a Combat Air Patrol mission in the Asmara area intercepted five Italian Air Force CR-42s, and claimed kills on three aircraft

1942

Accidents and Losses:
1 Squadron reported two operational losses of a Hurricane; the first aircraft Z-2317 was reported as ‘crashed’ and the second aircraft shot-down during an air-to-air engagement with a Luftwaffe Bf-109.

1945

Accidents and Losses:
A Supermarine Spitfire Mk VC (EF750) crashed during landing; it reportedly struck a second aircraft.

1958

Sorties:
Two Shackleton MR Mk 3 (1719 and 1721) aircraft departed from the United Kingdom on their delivery flights to South Africa. The destination was Ysterplaat. It has been reported that 1721, routed via “St Eval”, the detail route information of the two aircraft is not known.

1974

Sorties:
The first Impala Mk II sortie was conducted in SA airspace. \:D/

1978

Accidents and Losses:
An Atlas Impala Mk 1 (581) experienced an engine flame-out and crashed whilst conducting a Navy Cooperation sortie.

1988

Operations and Statistics:
The Cactus deployment in South Eastern Angola (Operation ARNO/ARNOTT) fired one missile at a Mikoyan MiG-23 Flogger, with no success. The aircraft reportedly flew faster than the missiles! The Cactus was deployed 27nm north east of Cuito Cuanavale.


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