Late entry, thanks Stefaan for picking up the missing date, you may be the only one reading the thread
14 February1941Information 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.
1942The 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.
1943An Anson (4239) became lost at night during training mission, the aircraft crash landed in Beaufort West.
1944Major 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.
1945A Hurricane (5215) was written-off during a forced landing after a reported engine fire, the accident took place in South Africa.
1958A 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.
1970The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team, performed at Bloemfontein, this was official display number 12.
1974The 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.
1988An 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).
1990During 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.
1998According 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".
2008The 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).