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PostPosted: 01 May 2019, 03:58 
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01 May

1917
Information Note
J. Bell, a South African pilot serving in the Royal Flying Corps (World War 1), flying a G100, shot down a German Albatros D III, claiming his 1st air-to-air victory.

1940
Deployment and Allocation Updates
Six Fury aircraft belonging to 6 Squadron (Cape Town) departed to Waterkloof prior to a flight to Durban which then saw the aircraft being shipped to participate in air operations in East Africa. It is reported that the aircraft were shipped out on 26 May 1940.
This action saw the establishment of No 1 Fighter Squadron (6 x Fury and 4 x Hurricane) at Waterkloof in preparation for the unit’s departure to conduct operations in the designate area of operation (East Africa). Key personnel were:
Officer Commanding: Major Niblock-Stuart.
Adjutant: Lieutenant Mc Keller.
1 Squadron ‘A-Flight’ Commander: Captain van Schalkwyk.
1 Squadron ‘B-Flight’ Commander: Lieutenant Boyle.
1 Squadron ‘C-Flight’ Commander: Lieutenant Theron.

1941
General Information
16 Squadron was re-established at Addis Ababa – equipped with 12 Ju-86 and two Maryland aircraft, taken-over from 12 Squadron.
Sorties
1 Squadron. A Hurricane done a Ferry flight.
51 Flight. A Ju-52 flew an Air Support mission (from Nairobi?) to Diradawa and back to Nairobi.

1943
Deployment and Allocation Updates
16 Squadron redeployed from Landing Ground 91 to Misurata West.
17 Squadron’s Blenheim aircraft were recalled to Egypt and redistributed to other squadrons. This also heralded the last 17 Squadron flight operating Blenheim V aircraft.
Accidents and Losses
A Bristol Blenheim (BA865) crashed during take-off – ‘into a lake’.

1944
Accidents and Losses
A 1 Squadron Supermarine Spitfire (JL134) crashed, after being abandoned in flight due to an engine fire.

1945
Accidents and Losses
A 5 Squadron Mustang crashed, fatally injuring the pilot.
Two Supermarine Spitfires (MH540 [shot down – ground fire] and MJ521 [engine failure]), allocated to 7 Squadron crashed.

1981
Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Waterkloof; this was show number 50.

1983
Operations and Statistics
Operation DOLFYN commenced (no further information available).

1987
Information Note (Border War)
A SADF delegation flew to Mavinga from Air Force Base Rundu to discuss the military situation in Angola, an agreement was reached that limited support would be required by UNITA from the SADF to halt the appreciated FAPLA Offensive ’87. The distance from Rundu to Mavinga is approximately 134nm, and a Puma usually took slightly over an hour to fly between the two locations.

1998
Operations and Statistics
35 Squadron conducted multi-national maritime operations together with a Nimrod MR Mk2 (from the Royal Air Force) and an Atlantique (from the French Air Force). The exercise ended on the 7th.

2003
Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Vredenburg; this was show number 408.

2004

Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Oudtshoorn; this was show number 425 and 426.


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PostPosted: 02 May 2019, 04:11 
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02 May

1891
Background Information
The future to be founder of the South African Air Force was borne, ‘Sir General Helperus Andreas van Ryneveld, KBE CB DSO MC’.

1904
Background Information
Mr P.J. van der Merwe of the farm Zuurfontein in the district of Reddersburg, near Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, wrote to the Governor of the Orange River Colony (as it then was) on 2 May 1904 asking for an advance of one thousand pounds sterling (+-R2 000) to construct a flying machine ‘for military purposes against any instrument of war, and to extinguish any position of the opponent’. Military aviation in South Africa was at least foreseen.

1918
General Information
Samuel Kinkead, a South African pilot serving in the Royal Naval Air Service & Royal Air Force (flying a Sopwith Camel during World War 1), successfully shot down a German aircraft, this was his 20th confirmed air-to-air victory.

1940
Deployment and Allocation Updates
1 Squadron was equipped four Hurricanes and six Furies.

1941
Sorties
1 Squadron. Eight and four Hurricanes conducted Combat Air Patrols and Attack missions respectively.
51 Flight. Ju-52’s flew two Air Support missions as follows: Nairobi to Diredawa and Addis Ababa to Nairobi.

1943
Accidents and Losses
A Fury (212) crashed when it suffered brake failure during landing.

1945
Deployment and Allocation Updates
40 Squadron deployed to the La Russia Landing Ground.
Accidents and Losses
A Harvard IIA (7212) crashed. One fatal injury was reported.

1949
General Information
The founder of the South African Air Force Sir General Helperus Andreas van Ryneveld, KBE CB DSO MC; retired from active military service.

1951
Accidents and Losses
Two Harvards (7146 & 7314) were involved in a fatal mid-air collision during a formation barrel role.

1969
Accidents and Losses
A Harvard (7155) crashed in the Hartbeespoort area, it failed to recover from a spin. One fatality reported.

1981
Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Pretoria; this was show number 51.

1989
Accidents and Losses
An Atlas Impala Mk 1, (490) was written off in the Thaba Nchu area. It is likely to have been an aircraft operated by 8 Squadron.

1995
Accidents and Losses
A Sikorsky S-55 crashed in the Swartkops area. The serial number ‘A4’ belonged to the South African Air Force Museum.


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PostPosted: 03 May 2019, 09:44 
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03 May

1941
Sorties
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew two Gunnery Exercises, five Combat Air Patrols, four Intercepts (unsuccessful) and seven Ferry flights.

1943
Aircraft Deliveries
Tiger Moth: 4635 to 4644 (arrived in Union)
A Hartbees (805) crashed in the Carolina area.

1944
Accidents and Losses
A Ventura (6114) allocated to 29 Squadron crashed at Brooklyn when it swung on take-off .

1951
Accidents and Losses
A Supermarine Spitfire (5625) crashed after reporting an engine failure .

1978
Deployment and Allocation Updates
2 Squadron deployed four Mirage III aircraft to Air Force Base Ondangwa, in preparation for Operation REINDEER.

1983
Incidents
During a 32 Battalion Operation (Op DOLFYN) a Puma was hit by 14,5mm anti-aircraft gun fire.

2003
Sorties
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Oudtshoorn; this was show number 409 and 410.

2012
Deployment and Allocation Updates
An announcement was made that the Air Force was awaiting a ministerial decision to move Central Flying School to Air Force Base Hoedspruit.


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PostPosted: 08 May 2019, 02:16 
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08 May

1941
The flowing sorties were flown:
Unidentified Squadrons. A Lodestar flew an Air support mission to Germiston.
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew nine Ferry flights and two Scramble/Intercepts (unsuccessful – ‘allied aircraft’)
51 Flight. A Ju-52 flew an Air Support mission from Nairobi to Addis Ababa.
5 Squadron was established at Zwartkop and equipped with Curtiss Mohawk aircraft.
21 Squadron was formed at Nakuru, Kenya. The Officer Commanding was Major J.D. Pretorius.
The following aircraft losses were reported:
A Junkers Ju-86, serial 652 was written-off during an accident in the Dalle area. No fatalities. All six persons on board survived.
An Anson (1115) was involved in an accident when it ditched due to engine failure.
Two Curtiss Tomahawk aircraft, both allocated to 2 Squadron crashed during combat missions, both pilots did not survive. The aircraft were: AK348 and AK443.

1942
A Fairy Battle (951) was involved in a fatal accident after the aircraft entered a spin.

1943
The 1st Wings Parade took place at 26 Air School - Pietersburg. 19 x RAF pilots received wings from F/Marshall Jan Smuts.

1945
40 Squadron was placed on standby to participate in Operation FREEBORN, a contingency operation, in the event of German Forces making a stand in Austria.
A 19 Squadron Bristol Beaufighter (NV603) was involved in an accident.

1953
A Harvard (7663) crashed (possible fuel starvation) when the pilot became lost during a navigation exercise.

1976
No 88 Advanced Flying School established from the Maritime Operational Training Unit.

1993
An Impala Mk 1 (537) reportedly had a main bearing failure resulting in an accident whilst on a Tactical Navigation training sortie in the Nelspriut area. The aircraft belonged to 85 Combat Flying School.

1996
A C-185D (742) crashed and was written-off.

1999
16 Squadron, Air Force Base Bloemspruit received their first Rooivalk helicopters.

2004
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Upington; this was show number 427 and 428.


PS: I've changed my working hours to our Sqn's Ramadan schedule for this month, so posts may be a day or two late this month, as I am still trying to get into a new 'sleep / work routine'.


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PostPosted: 08 May 2019, 02:17 
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Where there is a gap in the 'days' post, I'll post them as soon as I get round to them, so there may be gaps here and there this month


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PostPosted: 08 May 2019, 07:41 
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Was just wondering, thanks. :smt023

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PostPosted: 08 May 2019, 11:45 
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04 May

1918
W.L. Jordan, a South African pilot serving in the Royal Naval Air Service & Royal Air Force (flying a Sopwith Camel during World War 1), successfully shot down a German Pflaz DIII, this was his 21st confirmed air-to-air victory.

1928
An 504K (421) was written-off following an accident in the Lyttelton area, the pilot Cadet Wessels was fatally injured.

1941
The following sorties took place:
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew three Test Flights, six Combat Air Patrols and four Scramble/Intercepts (unsuccessful – ‘allied aircraft’).
51 Flight. Three Ju-52s flew the following routes during Air Support missions: Nairobi to Addis Ababa; Nairobi to Diredawa as well as Khartoum to Nairobi.
The following aircraft losses were reported:
A Vickers Wellesley aircraft used by 1 Squadron for training purposes, crashed.

1942
A Hartbees (804), belonging to 41 Squadron executed a forced landing after encountering bad weather on a cross-country navigation flight.
Three Bristol Blenheim aircraft crashed in what was referred to as the Kura Disaster, when the three aircraft crashed during bad weather, approximately 150 from Kufra. Nine fatalities were reported.

1943
The remaining elements of 26 Squadron arrived to join the unit deployed at Takoradi, following a sea journey from the Union of South Africa. The unit was also declared operational as a ‘General Reconnaissance Squadron’ under 298 Wing (Royal Air Force). The unit also received the first batch of Vickers Wellington aircraft. A total of 16 Wellingtons were operated by 26 Squadron.
The following aircraft losses were reported:
An Airspeed Oxford (3869) was involved in a fatal accident, fatally injuring all on-board.
A Harvard IIA (7281) was involved in a fatal aircraft accident in the Brooklyn area – it was an unauthorized night flight.

1944
A 24 Squadron, Marauder (FB508) crashed (due to possible hostile ground fire)– six fatalities were reported.

1945
40 Squadron was reported to be operational at the La Russia Landing Ground; the callsign for the airfield was ‘Stalin’.
25 Squadron’s Marauders took part in the South African Air Force final raid of World War II; one aircraft (HD667) was lost due to enemy action (7 fatalities).

1978
Operation REINDEER commenced. The operation’s objective was to attack three identified target areas, primarily in the Cassinga area, as well as previously identified targets for Operation BRUILOF. Operation REINDEER’s targets were as follows:
Target ALPHA (known to SWAPO as ‘Moscow’), the former mining town of Cassinga (plan to have air assault para drop of 257 troops). It was identified as SWAPO’s main Forward Operational HQ in southern Angola as well as a training camp for insurgents.
Target BRAVO (known to SAWPO/Angolans as Viet Nam) consisted of a network of six targets/bases in the Chetequera area. It was the reported SWAPO’s Forward HQ for their operations in western Ovamboland (SWA/Namibia) as well as a main supply depot.
Target CHARLIE; a number of smaller/suspect SWAPO bases approximately 8-10nm east of Chetequera, attacked by Mirage IIIs.
The ‘vlamgatte’ (fighter pilots) had been quite since 1953, when they wrote a proud chapter for the South African Air Force during the exploits of 2 Squadron in Korea. Their 1st chance to prove their worth again came on 4.05.1978, at Cassinga in Angola. True to their motto: ‘First into Action’, 12 Squadron laid out the initial ‘punishment’ with their Canberra aircraft, followed by 24 Squadron’s Buccaneers (412, 413, 416, 421, 423 & 423); the latter aslo conducting their first offensive mission in SAAF service. Combat Air Patrols were flown by 2 Squadron’s Mirage IIICZ.

1999
21 Squadron’s remaining HS-125 Mercurius aircraft were withdrawn from active service.

2002
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Mykonos; this was show number 390.
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Langebaanweg; this was show number 391 and 392.

2006
The last formation of Alouette IIIs flew at AFB Bloemspruit.


05 May

1939
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hart 1 / Serial(s): 394

1940
New Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Major Martin.

1941
Aircraft Deliveries: Tiger Moth: 2106 to 2108; 2127 (appreciated date)
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew three General Handling, 10 Combat Air Patrols and two Scramble/Intercepts (unsuccessful – ‘allied aircraft’).
51 Flight. Two Ju-52s flew the following routes during Air Support missions: Addis Ababa to Nairobi and Diredawa to Nairobi.
A Hart I (393) was involved in an accident, in the East London area.

1942
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hart ‘Trainer’ / Serial(s): 2053.
A Curtiss P-75 (2532) ditched into the sea off Durban, due to engine failure.

1943
Three Airspeed Oxfords: (1) 3364: Swung on take-off at night from Port Alfred, (2) 3689 and (3) reportedly ‘crashed as well.
A Ventura (6006) crashed – swung on take-off .

1944
1 Squadron deployed to Sinello
All remaining Wellington aircraft (26 Squadron) re-deployed from Pointe Noire to Takarodi.

1970
Aircraft Deliveries
HS-125: 04 / ZS-LPE
P-166S Albatross: 888

1983
Puma helicopters were utilised to up-load captured SWAPO documents and equipment following a 32 Battalion Operation (Op DOLFYN).

1995
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Hoedspruit; this was show number 339.



06 May

1915
Following the arrival of the South African Aviation Corps first aircraft a couple of days earlier in Walvis Bay, Kenneth van der Spuy conducted the first aerial reconnaissance flight in the area surrounding Walvis Bay. Shortly after this flight, all the aircraft departed to the South African Aviation Corps’s first base in South West Africa at Karabib. The latter base had been vacated by the previously German aircraft that had operated from there.
South African Aviation Corps under command of Major Wallace was now operational with a number of Henri Farman F.27’s and BE.2Cs

1929
The only Avro Spartan operated by the air force, conducted a ferry flight from Cape Town to Zwartkop.

1935
The first Curtiss P-36 Hawk became the first Mohawk aircraft to fly.

1940
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hind (111, K5379, K5493 and L7232).

1941
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew six Combat Air Patrols and a General Handling flight.
51 Flight. A single Ju-52 Air Support mission was flown from Nairobi to Diredawa.

1943
1 Squadron. The unit deployed to Hergla.

1952
Engine failure, jettisoned bombs, bailed out, rescued (Mustang 348)



07 May

1940
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hind (104, 108 to 110, 112 and K6831)

1941
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hart ‘Trainer’ (449, 471 and K5882) / Hind (3002 and 3006).

1942
Hartbees 814, allocated to 41 Squadron sustained Cat 1 damage during a landing accident.
5 Squadron claimed to have shot-down a Junker Ju-88. The aircraft used was reportedly a Tomahawk IIB (AN247).
A 1808 Loadstar (246) crashed in the Bulawayo (Rhodesia/Zimbabwe) area. The construction number of the aircraft was 2053, and was also a former commercial aircraft, registered as ZS-ATG.
Two Bristol Beaufort Mk 1 aircraft were involved in accidents: “755” suffered engine failure; and ‘759’ was written-off during landing .

1943
26 Squadron split into three flights ‘A, B and C’. A-Flight deployed to Pointe Noire, B-Flight to Lagos and C-Flight to Takoradi. All flights commenced the conversion course too.
A de Havilland DH.82 (2340) was involved in a fatal accident (spin) after take-off in the Randfontein Area.
A Baltimore (FA115) with six crew on-board, allocated to 21 Squadron was involved in a fatal accident, when an engine failed and the crew attempted a forced landing.

1944
1 Squadron deployed to Sinello.
26 Squadron deployed to Ikeja to conduct ‘moonlight operations’ in an attempt to locate German U-Boats operating in the Atlantic Ocean off the West African Coast.

1945
40 Squadron redeployed the unit’s Supermarine Spitfires from the La Russia landing Ground to Travise.

1952
A Supermarine Spitfire (5631) reportedly crashed in South Africa.

1957
Shackleton MR Mk 3, (serial 1717 “O”, construction number 1527) made her maiden flight in the United Kingdom.

1976
A Piaggio P-166S Albatross (894) crashed in the area of Dassen Island, fatally injuring Maj RH Carter and Capt. GMA Rossouw. The cause of this accident remains a mystery...!

1982
An Impala Mk 1 (550), presumably allocated to 6 Squadron crashed in the Port Elizabeth area, fatally injuring Capt. RR Huges. Capt. RM Turner made a successful ejection from the aircraft.

1986
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Swartkops; this was show number 160.

1994
A C-47 Dakota (6816) was written-off during an accident.

1997
A 2 Squadron Mirage IIICZ (805) was delivered to the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop.


08 May

1941
Unidentified Squadrons. A Lodestar flew an Air support mission to Germiston.
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew nine Ferry flights and two Scramble/Intercepts (unsuccessful – ‘allied aircraft’)
51 Flight. A Ju-52 flew an Air Support mission from Nairobi to Addis Ababa.
5 Squadron was established at Zwartkop and equipped with Curtiss Mohawk aircraft.
21 Squadron was formed at Nakuru, Kenya. The Officer Commanding was Major J.D. Pretorius.
The following aircraft losses were reported:
A Junkers Ju-86, serial 652 was written-off during an accident in the Dalle area. No fatalities. All six persons on board survived.
An Anson (1115) was involved in an accident when it ditched due to engine failure.
Two Curtiss Tomahawk aircraft, both allocated to 2 Squadron crashed during combat missions, both pilots did not survive. The aircraft were: AK348 and AK443.

1942
A Fairy Battle (951) was involved in a fatal accident after the aircraft entered a spin.

1943
The 1st Wings Parade took place at 26 Air School - Pietersburg. 19 x RAF pilots received wings from F/Marshall Jan Smuts.

1945
40 Squadron was placed on standby to participate in Operation FREEBORN, a contingency operation, in the event of German Forces making a stand in Austria.
A 19 Squadron Bristol Beaufighter (NV603) was involved in an accident.

1953
A Harvard (7663) crashed (possible fuel starvation) when the pilot became lost during a navigation exercise.

1976
No 88 Advanced Flying School established from the Maritime Operational Training Unit.

1993
An Impala Mk 1 (537) reportedly had a main bearing failure resulting in an accident whilst on a Tactical Navigation training sortie in the Nelspriut area. The aircraft belonged to 85 Combat Flying School.

1996
A C-185D (742) crashed and was written-off.

1999
16 Squadron, Air Force Base Bloemspruit received their first Rooivalk helicopters.

2004
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Upington; this was show number 427 and 428.


08 May

1941
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hind (3005)
1 Squadron. A Hurricane done a Ferry flight.
51 Flight. Two Ju-52 Air Support missions were flown: Diredawa to Nairobi; and Addis Ababa to Nairobi.
No 21 Squadron was established for the first time at Nakuru, Kenya. The unit was equipped with Marylands.

1942
A 60 Squadron Maryland (AH366) was shot-down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, the crew of four suffered fatal injuries.
5 Squadron reported the loss of two Curtiss Tomahawk aircraft (AN421 and AN426). Both aircraft were damaged by Luftwaffe Bf-109’s during a training sortie. (C/L during training).

2004
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Upington; this was show number 429 and 430.


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PostPosted: 12 May 2019, 09:48 
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09 May

1918
Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor, a South African pilot serving in the Royal Flying Corps (flying a SE.5A during World War 1), successfully shot down a German Albatros DV, this was his 11th confirmed air-to-air victory.

1936
Information Note (WWII East African Campaign): Benito Mussolini proclaimed his ‘Italian East Africa Empire’, by occupation of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Italian Somaliland.

1941
51 Flight. Two Ju-52s flew Air Support missions (1) Nairobi to Addis Ababa; and (2) Nairobi to Diredawa.
Captain Byers took over command of No 51 Flight.
1 Squadron, allocated a number of its aircraft to Sidi Haneish from Amirya to support allied operations in the area.
A Fairy Battle (919) crashed during take-off, subsequently written-off.

1942
A Boston (AL780) allocated to 12 Squadron was reported to have crashed during an operational mission.
A Hurricane belonging to 40 Squadron crashed.

1975
An S-316 Alouette III (62[1]), presumably allocated to 16 Squadron, ditched in the Port Elizabeth area, fatally injuring the flight engineer, F/Sgt Crause.

1979
A C-185 was reported to have crashed (not confirmed).

1980
An Impala Mk II (1037) was written off during an operational sortie over Southern Angola.

1981
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Veldrift; this was show number 52.
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Bellville; this was show number 53.


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PostPosted: 12 May 2019, 09:50 
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10 MAY

1918
Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor, a South African pilot serving in the Royal Flying Corps (flying a SE.5A during World War 1), successfully shot down a German Rumpler C, this was his 12th confirmed air-to-air victory.
Samuel Kinkead, a South African pilot serving in the Royal Naval Air Service & Royal Air Force (flying a Sopwith Camel during World War 1), successfully shot down a German Albatros DV, this was his 21st confirmed air-to-air victory.

1940
1 Squadron informed to Prepare to Ferry Their Aircraft from Hellopolis to Nairobi.

1941
1 Squadron. Nine Hurricanes ferried to Sidi Haneish (partial squadron deployment).
51 Flight. Two Ju-52s flew Air Support missions (1) Nairobi to Addis Ababa; and (2) Diredawa to Addis Ababa to Nairobi.

1950
Information Note (Aircraft). The first De Havilland Heron aircraft flew.

1979
A Cessna 185 was reported to have been in an accident (no further detail).
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Margate; this was show number 100!

1988
The first C208 Caravan, ZS-LYR (c/n 208-0071) was delivered to the Air Force. This aircraft has since been allocated serial number 3001 at 41 Squadron.

1994
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, flew at the inauguration of State President Mandela; this was show number 279. Picture of crew, prior to a ‘historic’ flypast! The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Pretoria; this was show number 280.
Aircraft Deliveries
Casa 212-200: 8010, 8011 8020 and 8021
CN235: 8026
BN2A: 16 and 17
SA365N1 Dauphin: ZS-HVI


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PostPosted: 12 May 2019, 09:52 
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11 May

1941
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hart ‘Trainer’ (451-453 and K5857) / Hind (183 and 184). Tiger Moth: 2130 to 2133 (appreciated date)
51 Flight. A Ju-52 conducted an Air Support mission from Nairobi to Neghelli via Yavello.

1943
12 Squadron’s operations in North Africa ceased.
An Anson (3643) crashed, there were two fatalities.

1945
A C47A Dakota (6807) crash in Lake Victoria .
A 22 Squadron Ventura (S6452) crashed when it ditched into the ocean after engine trouble. The position reported to have been 37:00N 07:30W. The aircraft was part of a group of six Ventura’s escorting a German U-Boat ‘U-485’.

1951
Two F-51 Mustangs (322 & 309), allocated to 2 Squadron crashed during an operational mission in Korea, reportedly 7nm west of Singye. The pilot of 322 was rescued.

1959
A T6G Harvard (7702) crashed in the Brits area during low level aerobatics. One fatality was reported. (A/I)

1966
A Canadair CL-13B Sabre Mk.6 (357) written-off during accident in the Waterkloof area, the pilot Lt Roos sustained fatal injuries.

1978
An Atlas C4M Kudu (977) was involved in an accident, reportedly at Lanseria.

1988
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Pietermaritzburg; this was show number 146.

1991
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Margate; this was show number 191.


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PostPosted: 12 May 2019, 09:55 
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12 May

1918
W.L. Jordan, a South African pilot serving in the Royal Naval Air Service & Royal Air Force (flying a Sopwith Camel during World War 1), successfully shot down a German aircraft, this was his 22nd confirmed air-to-air victory.

1939
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hart 1 / Serial(s): 397
A Fury (203) was involved in an accident.

1941
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew 12 Combat Air Patrols and seven Armed Reconnaissance missions.
51 Flight. Four Ju-52s flew Air Support missions: (1) Neghelli to Nairobi; (2) Diredawa to Nairobi; (3) Addis Ababa to Nairobi and (4) Germiston to Nairobi.

1943
1 Squadron. At the end of the North African Campaign, 1 Squadron had achieved the following combat successes: 100.5 enemy aircraft destroyed; 25 probably destroyed and 61 damaged during air combat engagements. Six enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground.
12 Squadron. Took part in the final bombing raid of the North African Campaign, operating Baltimores.

1944
An Anson (4347) was written-off during an accident.
A Supermarine Spitfire (EE-847) allocated to 3 Squadron crashed, during operations.

1967
The prototype Aeritalia/Aermacchi AM.3C made its maiden flight in Italy.

1973
A Harvard (7126) crashed, there were two fatalities (including on civilian passenger).

1976
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Impala Mk II serial 1023.

1978
An Atlas MC4 Kudu (960) crashed in the Schmidtsdrift area.

1990
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Toothrock; this was show number 174.

1995
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Bay’s Hill; this was show number 340.

2008
An Agusta- A-109 (4022) crashed into the Woodstock Dam, all three crew sustained fatal injuries, the final accident report, apparently attributed the accident to ‘pilot error’.


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PostPosted: 12 May 2019, 10:00 
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Hi to all following this thread, due to a change in my current Squadron working hours (Ramadan, in Middle East), I may not get to the ‘www’ as regular as I’d like over the next couple of weeks, so posts may be a day or so later than usual. Will post as regular as possible, and play “catch-up” too to ensure that there is a logic sequence to the thread, for those following it. June will be similar, as I’ll be travelling to SA on holiday and still need to decide if my laptop will travel with on vacation…
Regards from Abu Dhabi


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PostPosted: 12 May 2019, 15:09 
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Thanks Spice. And if I may, the decision will be for the laptop to travel with. :wink:

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


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PostPosted: 12 May 2019, 16:06 
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Dean wrote:
Thanks Spice. And if I may, the decision will be for the laptop to travel with. :wink:


Thanks Dean. The book with missing pages arrived yesterday. Will pass page number to you in the next few days.


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PostPosted: 13 May 2019, 13:28 
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13 May

1940
Three Valentia missions: Zwartkop – Pietersburg – Bulawayo – Salisbury (Air Support for 1 Squadron)

1941
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hind (3003)
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew eight Combat Air patrols and a single Ferry flight.
51 Flight. Two Ju-52s flew Air Support missions (1) Nairobi to Diredawa and (2) Nairobi to Addis Ababa.
A Savoia Marchetti SM.79 (serial MM22551) that had been captured and rebuilt by ground crew of 41 Squadron, was test flown by Maj Preller and ferried to the Union (RSA) on 11 June 1941.

1942
A (60 Squadron) De Havilland Mosquito (MM526) crashed, both on-board did not survive the accident.

1944
A Supermarine Spitfire (MH612) allocated to 7 Squadron crashed; the pilot was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War.

1949
The first English Electric Canberra flight took place in the United Kingdom.

1972
24 Squadron conducted strikes on the ‘Silver Castle’ vessel. Strike Aircraft: 419, 420, 421 + 02 unknown serials; 414 provided tanking support.

1982
Two Mirage F-1CZs conducted a mission from Ondangwa to the Cuvelai area, one aircraft was reported to have engaged and shot-down an Angolan Mi-8 Hip helicopter. 13 May 1982, it was an Angolan Mil Mi-8 which was believed to be carrying senior officers. Captain M Louw flying Mirage F1-CZ '206' and Lt. Jon Ingges flying '210' were tasked with locating and destroying the helicopter in the Cuvelai area. The helicopter was located with rotors running on the ground. Lt. Ingges attacked first but was off target. Captain Louw then followed, destroying the helicopter in a hail of 30mm fire.

2000
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Mykonos; this was show number 360.
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at de Doorns; this was show number 361.


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