31 March
1939
General Information The prototype Master made its first flight. SAAF Order of Battle Hartbees (65), Hart (74 with 23 still to be delivered), Fury (6), Wapiti (23), Tutor (37/still in production), Airspeed Envoy (6), Hurricane Mk1 (3 with 4 still to be delivered), Bristol Blenheim (1), Fairey Battle (1), Gloster AS.31 (1), DH.66 Hercules (3) and DH9J (1).
1941 Accidents and Losses The following aircraft were reportedly destroyed at Jijiga (Giggiga) airfield during an attack conducted by the Italian Air Force: 1 x Valentia; 1 x Ju-52; 1 x Hartbees; 1 x Hurricane. A number of aircraft were damaged too, these being: 2 x Ju-52; 1 x Vega Gull; 1 x Rapide; and 1 x Hurricane. Two Italian Air Force aircraft crashed while attacking the aerodrome. A Fairy Battle (907), crashed. A Hurricane (VT733) allocated to 1 Squadron, was shot down, in the Asmara area. The pilot was fatally wounded. Sorties 3 Squadron 2 x 2 Hurricane flights from Jijiga (Giggiga) escorted three Ju-86 (12 Sqn) and three Battles (11 Sqn). Three Gladiators conducted Tactical Reconnaissance from the deployment at Diredawa airfield, one of the aircraft performed a forced landing.
1942 Accidents and Losses A de Havilland Tiger Month (2251), crashed during a low-level flying in the Kroonstad area, the aircraft struck a ground object (telephone pole). A 2 Squadron Curtiss Tomahawk (AN-429) whilst in the circuit, preparing to land, was shot-down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109!
1943 Accidents and Losses A Hartbees (810) was written-off during an accident in the Eastleigh area of Nairobi, fatally injuring the pilot Capt. Donnelly - no further information available. Two Airspeed Oxfords (3448 and 3729) were involved in a mid-air collision. An Airspeed Oxford (3716), crashed in the in the Alicedale area along the Bushman’s River, during a night flying sortie. Both crew sustained fatal injuries. A Master (2879) was written-off during a forced landing, the aircraft’s reduction gear and propeller fell off in flight.
1944 Accidents and Losses Two Harvard Mk IIAs (7160 and 7217) were involved in a fatal mid-air collision during low-level aerobatics.
1945 Sorties 3 Squadron. Eight and four Spitfires conducted Combat Air Patrols and Escort duties respectively.
1952 Accidents and Losses Two Supermarine Spitfires (5561 and 5616) crashed during landing at Air Force Base Ysterplaat.
1975 Information Note South African and Israeli officials met to discuss the possible sale of Main Battle Tanks, Fast Attack Craft to South Africa, as well as joint development of aircraft engines. During the meeting, an official offer was made to sell Jericho nuclear capable missiles to South Africa.
1976 Aircraft Delivery to SAAF Impala Mk II serial 1022.
1983 Two Puma helicopters deployed to the Evale Helicopter Administration Area to support 32 Battalion. An undisclosed number of Impala aircraft were also on standby (most likely at Ondangwa).
1999 8 Squadron was disbanded at AFB Hoedspruit.
2005 The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 460 at Langebaanweg, equipped with PC-7 Mk II Astra aircraft.
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