The SAAF Forum

15 February

1918

General Information:
Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor, a South African, serving in the Royal Flying Corps (84 Squadron), shot down an enemy aircraft whilst flying his S.E.5a aircraft – this was his 2nd air-to-air kill.

1938

Aircraft Delivery:
Hart 1 / Serial(s): 301, 304-306 and K2970.

1940

Accidents and Losses:
A Wapiti (622) was written-off during an accident.

1941

Sorties:
1 Squadron: Four Escort missions were flown, together with four Combat Air Patrols, the latter resulted in three Hurricanes intercepting three CR42s.
2 Squadron: A B1 Detachment Fury conducted Test Flight from Husseini aerodrome.

1942

Deployment Updates:
1 Squadron. Ordered to deploy to Sidi Haneish, for an ‘R&R’ period as well as to re-equip, after suffering regular attacks at the deployed airfields, namely Gambut and El Adem.

Sorties:
No 44 Air School (Grahamstown): The first night flying training sorties commenced following the establishment of the Air School.

1945

Accidents and Losses:
An Anson, whilst taxing at night, collided with a second aircraft on the ground, Anson 4362 was written-off.
During a ‘routine’ training mission, a Curtiss Kittyhawk (5065) reported an in-flight fire, and crashed into the sea of the Durban coast.
A De Havilland Mosquito (NS689) crashed during landing after returning from photo-reconnaissance mission over enemy targets. It is presumed to have been allocated to 60 Squadron. (Possible C/L due to damage)

1949

Accidents and Losses:
A Harvard (7159) crashed due to a spin, the crew survived the accident.

1951

Accidents and Losses:
A F-51 Mustang (304), 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 Kaesong, fatally wounding Lt Doreton.

1979

Accidents and Losses:
A Mirage F-1CZ (200) from 3 Squadron crashed (fatal) in the Cullinan area, shortly thereafter a second Mirage F-1AZ (246) crashed too in the vicinity of the first accident. The pilots were Major Chris Brits and Captain Wasserman.

1980

Sorties:
Three Canberras allocated to 12 Squadron, conducted Alpha Bomblet attack on targets in Angola.

1988

Operations and Statistics:
The South African Air Force’s deployment in South Eastern Angola (Operation ARNO/ARNOTT), engaged a second MiG-23 Flogger operating at low-level with the ZU-23-2 Anti-Aircraft Artillery cannon (captured by South African Defence Force). The result of the engagement has not been published and it is doubted to have any success, based on previous firings during the deployment. The ZU-23-2’s were mounted on Samil 100 trucks and received the South African designation of ‘ZUMLAC’! It is a twin barrel 23mm cannon, with a practical rate of fire in the order of 400 rounds per minute. The effective range between 2,000 and 2,500 meters, with a maximum altitude threat to 6,600 feet.

1990

Accidents and Losses:
An Alouette III (637), presumably allocated to 17 Squadron crashed in the Hammanskraal area (north of Pretoria), fatally injuring the pilot Capt. C. de Jongh.

1992

Accidents and Losses:
A Mirage F-1AZ, serial 221 was written-off during an accident in the Hoedspruit area.

1996

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (PC-7 Mk II / Astra), performed at the Cape Town Waterfront, this was official display number 404.

2005

General Information:
All of 28 Squadron’s C-130 Hercules aircraft were grounded, except 408 and 409.

16 February

1920

General Information:
The crew of the crashed ‘Silver Queen 1’ returned to Cairo from Wadi Halfa.
1941

Sorties:
1 Squadron. Conducted a fighter/bomber escort mission (escorting 15 Wellesley aircraft) for 47 & 223 Squadron (Royal Air Force) en-route to attack the Gura Airfield. The six Hurricanes also strafed the target, claimed to have destroyed two Italian S-79 aircraft on the ground. A Hurricane conducted a Combat Air Patrol

1942

Accidents and Losses:
An Airspeed Oxford (1932) suffered structural failure in flight (section of wing broke-off), north-west of Kimberly. One person was fatally injured.

1944

Accidents and Losses:
A 16 Squadron, Bristol Beaufighter was lost during an operational mission following an anti-shipping strike, when the aircraft attempted to land in Greece, the crew of LZ333 were taken Prisoner of War.
A Curtiss Kittyhawk, FX688, allocated to 5 Squadron was involved in a fatal accident after the pilot attacked a ship, and ditched into the ocean.

1945

Accidents and Losses:
A C-47 Dakota (6845) crashed at Tabora, the serial 6845 was later re-used on a C-47 Dakota in service with the South African Air Force.

1958

Accidents and Losses:
A Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXe (5568), operating from Langebaanweg, crashed in the Hopefield area after experiencing engine failure.

1976

Accidents and Losses:
A C-185D (736) deployed in support of operations in Rhodesia, crashed during an operational sortie. One fatality (the passenger) reported. (Possible A)

1988

Operations and Statistics:
After a number of unsuccessful engagements the Cactus Surface to Air Missile deployment in South Eastern Angola (Operation ARNO/ARNOTT) engaged two MiG-21 Fishbeds, it was reported that one missile missed, and the second missile exploded in close proximity to a MiG-21 which was damaged by the explosion. Both MiG-21 aircraft returned to their home base at Menongue.

17 February

1918

Information Note:
Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor, a South African, serving in the Royal Flying Corps (84 Squadron), shot down an enemy aircraft (German Albatros DV) whilst flying his S.E.5a aircraft – this was his 3rd air-to-air kill.

1940

Accidents and Losses:
A M.14 (ZS-AMV), which was impressed into the South African Air Force, crashed in the Randfontein area during low-level training. The aircraft had not yet been allocated a military registration number.

1941

Sorties:
1 Squadron: Four Escort missions were conducted, and a single Hurricane done a Ferry flight.

1943

Operations and Statistics:
A 15 Squadron Bisley whilst escorting a naval convoy near Apollonia, witnessed a depth-charge attack by a Royal Navy destroyer HMS Paladin. The Type VIIC (below) submarine (U-205) surfaced and was bombed by the 15 Squadron aircraft. This final blow, forced the submarine to surrender, which was taken on tow by the destroyer, it sank six hours later. U205 sunk at position 32:56N 22:01E. Eight submariners died and there were 42 survivors.

Accidents and Losses:
A De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Month (2174), crashed after the pilot failed to recover from a low-level spin at Wonderboom. The accident resulted in one fatality.
Two Airspeed Oxford aircraft were involved in separate accidents, no fatalities were reported, and however, both aircraft were ‘write-offs’: ‘1924’ reported a fire, and crashed during landing. ‘3701’ overshot the runway at Port Elizabeth and crashed.

1945

Accidents and Losses:
A Curtiss Kittyhawk was involved in a fatal accident, no further information.
A Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX (PT709), allocated to 3 Squadron, was involved in a fatal accident, during a strafing run on enemy targets.

1995

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed a flypast in Cape Town, this was official display number 309. Opening of the Parliament.

1997

General Information:
The first pre-production Atlas Rooivalk attack helicopter was displayed to the public for the first time.

2003

General Information:
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the South African Air Force and the Royal Air Force, to attach South African Instructors on Royal Air Force Flight Instruction duties at Royal Air Force Hawk units. Both air forces have since have since exchanged instructors on Hawk aircraft.

18 February

1918

Information Notes:
W.L. Jordan, South African serving as a pilot during World War 1, in the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps successfully engaged and shot-down an enemy Albatros DV (Kill # 18).
Horace D. Barton, South African serving as a pilot during World War 1, in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, flying a SE5A, successfully engaged and shot-down a German DFW-C (Kill # 01).

1941

General Information:
South African forces captured ‘Mega (Southern Ethiopia). (WWII East African Campaign)

Sorties:
1 Squadron: Two General Flying sorties were flown using Hurricanes. Furthermore three Combat Air Patrols and seven Escort missions were flown too.
2 Squadron: A Fury attached to ‘B1 Detachment’ flew a Communication mission from Husseini aerodrome.

1942

Deployment Updates:
40 Squadron deployed to Landing Ground 117.

1943

Sorties:
1 Squadron. Two Spitfires arrived in Malta on a ferry flight. These two aircraft became the first two SAAF aircraft to land outside Africa during WWII.

Accidents / Losses:
A Harvard (7200) crashed during a forced landing; the aircraft was written-off.

1944

Accidents and Losses:
A 16 Squadron Beaufighter (LZ481), ditched after being hit by anti-aircraft artillery fire, fatally wounding both crew members.
A 29 Squadron, Ventura (6111), crashed, after take-off due to incorrect trim setting, all four crew members’ sustained fatal injuries.

1953

Accidents and Losses:
A 1 Squadron De Havilland Vampire FB6 (218) crashed in the Karoo.

1971

Accidents and Losses:
A Canadair CL13B Sabre Mk.6 (362) crashed during a (training) mission in the Pietersburg area. The pilot 2 Lt W Hartogh ejected.

1972

General Information:
The B-707 acquisition project was initiated, this led to the initial acquisition of three B-707’s in 1982 (10 years after the project was initiated). Two additional aircraft were later acquired.

1976

Aircraft Delivery:
Impala Mk II serial 1020.

1980

Sorties:
Three Canberras allocated to 12 Squadron, conducted Alpha Bomblet attack on targets in Angola

1982

Accidents and Losses:
The South African Navy lost the SAS President Kruger during an exercise south of Cape Point, it collided with the SAS Tafelberg, a Fleet Replenishment Vessel, and the incident had a number of fatalities at sea. A Wasp (84) from 22 Squadron was on-board the SAS President Kruger and sank with the vessel.

1988

Sorties:
1 Squadron was tasked to start offensive missions against FAPLA logistics infrastructure in the Cuito Cuanavale area, and later the day the squadron started offensive missions when seven Mirage F1AZs attacked a convoy between Menongue and Cuito Cuanavale. The vehicle park in the Cangumbe Logistics Base (close to Menongue) was also attacked. During a last-light strike of the day (19h00) the Longa Logistics Base was also attacked by eight Mirage F1AZs.

2012

General Information:
The South African Air Force’s Museum, received the Atlas Rooivalk (ex ADM).

Hi.
No entries for 14 Feb???
Thx so far
Stefaan

Ooops, will post

Late entry, thanks Stefaan for picking up the missing date, you may be the only one reading the thread

14 February

1941
Information Note: Allied forces captured the Port Kismayo (WWII East African Campaign).
The following missions were flown:
1 Squadron: Seven Combat Air Patrols were flown using Hurricanes. Two Escort missions were flown too.
2 Squadron: A single Fury conducted a mission from Husseini aerodrome.

1942
The first C-54 Skymaster prototype made its maiden flight in the United States of America. The South African Air Force would take delivery of its first aircraft in 1966.

1943
An Anson (4239) became lost at night during training mission, the aircraft crash landed in Beaufort West.

1944
Major Schoombe appointed as Officer Commanding 1 Squadron.
The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
An Airspeed Oxford (3588) was involved in a fatal accident – the aircraft crashed on the third attempted landing.
A 5 Squadron Curtiss Kittyhawk (FX613) was shot down during a strafing run, by enemy anti-aircraft artillery.
A Ventura (JS897) crashed during an attempted forced landing, after reporting engine trouble.
A Supermarine Spitfire VC (LZ980), allocated to 4 Squadron, crashed during landing.

1945
A Hurricane (5215) was written-off during a forced landing after a reported engine fire, the accident took place in South Africa.

1958
A further batch of 35 Squadron Shackleton aircraft (1722 and 1723) departed from the United Kingdom on their delivery flight to South Africa, destined to land at Air Force Base Ysterplaat.

1970
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Bloemfontein, this was official display number 12.

1974
The first flight of the locally produced AL-60-C4M Kudu took place from Jan Smuts (now OR Tambo International) on its maiden flight. The aircraft registration was ZS-IZF which became South African Air Force serial 960 when it was delivered to the customer. Reports also indicate that this first flight took place on the 16th.

1988
An Atlas Impala Mk 1 (495) was written-off following an accident in the Operational Area/South West Africa in the area of M’pacha (Eastern Caprivi).

1990
During an annual Weapons Camp deployment to Air Force Base Langebaanweg, a Mirage IIICZ from 2 Squadron crashed into the ocean of the West Coast, the pilot Captain Mark Edwards safely ejected from the aircraft (802). Reports also indicate the date of the accident to be the 15th.

1998
According to www.saairforce.co.za, The SAAF intended to sell 12 C-47TP Dakotas rebuilt during an upgrading programme which began seven years ago. The sale comes after criticism of the airworthiness of the upgraded aircraft and their suitability for parachute troops because turboprops have been fitted and the fuselage lengthened. The SAAF last year answered criticism leveled at the upgrade programme and admitted at the time that, while there had earlier been restrictions on parachuting from the aircraft, this was no longer the case. "Extensive monitoring confirmed conclusively there had been no adverse effect on the plane" from vibrations experienced at low speeds. An in-service modification programme was "implemented to ... enhance safety operations".

2008
The first Lynx was handed over to the South African Air Force; the aircraft are operated by 22 Squadron, based at Air Force Ysterplaat (Cape Town).

No he's not!

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

Got it. Thx a mil

Dean, it was a test to see if you would pick it up....

Wrong! We may be silent, but we appreciate the knowledge gained in that silence!

_________________
MAMBA

Keep your feet on the ground, and reach for the skies!

It's the first forum and thread I look at when I arrive at work each morning.

_________________
A plan is simply a basis for change.

It was a bit of a tongue in cheek remark from my side

On my ide it is the last thing I try and do before leaving to work in the morning over a cup of coffee

19 February

1918

Information Note:
Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor, a South African, serving in the Royal Flying Corps (84 Squadron), shot down an enemy aircraft (German Albatros DV) whilst flying his S.E.5a aircraft – this was his 4th air-to-air kill.

1941

Accidents and Losses:
An Anson (4338) overshot the runway at Bloemfontein during landing, it was declared a ‘write-off’.
A Baltimore (FW795), belonging to 15 Squadron crashed during take-off, apparently hit a tree, there were two fatalities.
Two B-26 Marauders (HD505 and HD526), both 12 Squadron aircraft were involved in separate accidents. One member sustained fatal injuries

Sorties:
1 Squadron: Five Hurricanes (1 Squadron) escorted six Royal Air Force Wellesley bombers Asmara Airfield (target). Once the bombers had completed the bombing mission, the 1 Squadron escort mission, Hurricanes strafed the following aircraft belonging to the Italian Air Force too: three S-79s; two Cr-42s and four Ca-133s. (See claims section). Furthermore, ten Hurricanes conducted Ferry missions and a single base defense sortie.

1945

Sorties:
7 Squadron: 12 Spitfires conducted an Escort mission for a Maurader formation involved with carrying out interdiction.

1962

Accidents and Losses:
A Harvard (7040) during a mission in the Durban area, was involved in a fatal accident – a wing broke-off during a roll.

1968

Deployment Updates:
15 Squadron was re-formed at Air Force Base Zwartkop (also reported to be Durban) with the newly acquired SA-321L Super Frelon helicopters. The Frelon remained in service till the early 1990’s. Today 15 Squadron operates the Oryx medium-lift helicopters from its base at Durban International Airport as well as a number of BK-117s.

1980

Sorties:
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Langebaanweg, this was official display number 45.

1988

Sorties:
The Cactus deployment in Angola re-deployed to the Chambinga High Ground, east of Cuito Cuanavale