24 March1935General Information
The Anson prototype took to the air for the first time.
1941Sorties
3 Squadron (Jiggaga Airfield). Two Hurricanes flew Combat Air Patrol missions. Two were later scrambled to intercept an S-79 (unsuccessful), and a third aircraft also performed an unsuccessful intercept later the day.
Operations Instruction 172 (SAAF 2 Wing): Two Hurricanes tasked to support (Escort) an upcoming mission to be conducted by three Fairey Battle (11 Squadron).
General Information
4 Squadron was reformed and equipped with Curtis Mohawk and Fury aircraft at Air Force Base Waterkloof.
1943Accidents/Losses
A de Havilland Tiger Month (2165), crashed.
An Airspeed Oxford (3760), crashed after structural failure in flight approximately 11 nautical miles from Pietersburg, the crew escaped.
1945The following missions were flown:
3 Squadron. 12 Air-to-Ground sorties were conducted using Spitfires, on targets ranging from Ammunition Dumps to a town. Four aircraft conducted Escort sorties for supply drop missions.
The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
30 Squadron reported the loss of a Marauder, one fatality was also reported. (A ?)
A 2 Squadron Spitfire, MJ-308 crashed during an inverted dive.
A Bristol Beaufighter Mk X allocated to 16 Squadron was shot down by hostile ground fire. Aircraft serial: NV-567.
A Vickers Wellington Mk XIII, MP-285, crashed after take-off.
1976Sorties
Captain Gawie Winterbach became the first pilot to fly a Mirage F1AZ in South African skies!
1980Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Impala Mk II serial 1070.
1990Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 170 at Pietersburg, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.
1993Information Notes
State President de Klerk acknowledged that South Africa had a nuclear weapons capability, four years after ordering the complete destruction of the capability.
A 28 Squadron C-130B Hercules painted in special anniversary colours, was displayed for the first time: “SAAF Hercs 30”.