The SAAF Forum

14 May

1940
Three Valentia aircraft flew from Salisbury – Brokenhill – M’pika (Air Support for 1 Squadron)

1941
1 Squadron. Five Hurricanes flew Combat Air Patrols.

1942
An Anson (1119) crashed during bad weather in the Cape Town area.
A Hind (178) crashed during bad weather conditions whilst on a night sortie, fatally injuring the crew, 2nd Lt N Jacobs and A/P JL Acheterberg.

1944
A 4 Squadron Supermarine Spitfire (MJ727) was shot down during an interdiction mission, fatally wounding the pilot.

1946
The first jet fighter to take to the skies in South Africa was a Gloster Meteor III, which had been assembled at Ysterplaat.

1976
Four Mirage IIIR/R2Zs deployed from 2 Squadron to conduct tactical photo-reconnaissance missions over Angola, their route: Waterkloof – Grootfontein – Ondangwa.

1982
1 Squadron arrived at Air Force Base Ondangwa to commence standby and/or operations over Southern Angola.

1988
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Margate; this was show number 147.

1991
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Langebaanweg; this was show number 194.

1994
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Margate; this was show number 281 and 282.

2006
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Rand Airport; this was show number 485.

15 May

1918
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 22nd and 23rd confirmed air-to-air victories.

1940
Three Valentia flew from M’pika – M’beya - Nairobi (Air Support for 1 Squadron)

1941
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew nine Combat Air Patrols and four Interdiction missions.
Within days of the surrender of Asmara 1 Squadron moved to Egypt, arriving just in time to take part in Operation Brevity (15 May 1941), the first attempt to lift the siege of Tobruk. This short-lived Allied offensive was ended by a German counter-attack.

1942
43 Air School (Port Alfred): #01 Air Gunner’s Course commenced.
A Master (2802) crashed during an attempted forced landing.

1944
An Airspeed Oxford (3337) crashed when the undercarriage collapsed during landing.

1945
A Hurricane (5322) executed a forced landing on a beach after encountering engine failure.
22 Squadron’s La’cenia Detachment (operating Venturas), closed and moved to its home base at Gibraltar.

1951
An F-51 Mustang (330), allocated to 2 Squadron, crashed during take-off from the K-16 airfield in Korea, fatally injuring Lt MH Rorke.

1970
An Atlas C-4M Kudu (960) crashed in the Schmidtsdrif area. This was the 1st C4M built.

1975
Whilst on an operational deployment, a 24 Squadron Buccaneer (418) crashed in the Grootfontein area after a mid-air collision with another Buccaneer (426). Buccaneer ‘426’ made a safe landing at Air Force Base Grootfontein (SWA/Namibia). The aircraft was part of a formation of four, which flew from Waterkloof as a show-off force.

1981
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Bloemfontein; this was show number 54.

1982
The following sorties were flown:
Interdiction (8 x Mirage F-1AZ and 4 x Mirage F-1CZ): Target ‘SWAPO Log at Cassinga).
Interdiction (9x Mirage F-1AZ), the target was reported to have been Mulondo.
24 Squadron conducted an airfield interdiction mission with three aircraft, striking the Jamba airfield.

1986
Buccaneer ‘421’ conducted Flight Clearance trails for the new Low Drag 250kg bomb and Multiple Ejector Rack configuration at the De Wet Bombing Range outside Bloemfontein.

1987
Information Note (Border War). The General Officer Commanding – South West Africa Territory Force, issued an instruction to Sector 20 to commence contingency planning for operations against FAPLA in the 6th Military Region, or should it not prove necessary, conduct operations against SWAPO in the 5th Military Region, to exploit FAPLA’s preoccupation with UNITA.

16 May

1918
Information Note (World War 1). Horace D. Barton, a South African pilot serving in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, flying a SE5A, successfully shot-down a German Fokker DR I, this was his 4th air-to-air victory.

1940
Three Valentia flew from Nairobi - Kisumu (Air Support for 1 Squadron)

1941
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew eight Armed Reconnaissance, two Scramble/Intercepts and one Search and Rescue mission.
1 Squadron scored their 1st kill when Lt Talbolt shot down a Ju-87 (Western Desert).
A Hart I (393) was involved in an accident, fatally injuring both crew members.
1 Squadron’s Captains Quirk and Burger were out strafing M/T and light tanks near Acroma. Burger’s Hurricane was hit by AA fire and he belly-landed a mile west of the town. Quirk circled overhead and saw his colleague set fire to the Hurricane. He also saw German troops approaching and decided to land nearby in an attempt to rescue Burger. Both men squeezed into the cockpit with Burger sitting on Quirk’s lap, the latter having discarded his parachute pack. The heavily-laden Hurricane shredded its tail wheel as it become airborne but Quirk made a creditable landing at Sidi Haneish, and was awarded an immediate DSO for this action.

1944
A Supermarine Spitfire (MJ123) belonging to 7 Squadron crashed during an operational sortie, the pilot was captured and taken Prisoner of War.

1945
A Hurricane (5263) crashed when the pilot retracted the undercarriage too soon during take-off. (A/I)
22 Squadron’s Venturas continued executing missions for ‘operation GREEN’; the search for surrendered German U-Boats. Two missions were flown daily.

1957
Two Shackleton MR Mk 3 (1716 “J” & 1717 “O”) were officially accepted by the South African Air Force, in 35 Squadron markings

1981
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Cape Town; this was show number 55.

1982
Eight Mirage F-1AZ and four Mirage F-1CZ attacked infrastructure at Cahama (most-likely Air Defence equipment), during this mission, the South African Air Force encountered fire from the ZSU-23/4 Shilka for the first time!!

1992
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Bloemfontein; this was show number 233 and 234.

As a kid I had a large hardcover compendium on Soviet weapons - the ZSU-23/4 stuck in my mind as something that could certainly ruin a low-flying pilot's day.

_________________
A plan is simply a basis for change.

Puts a lot of lead in the air, even today, it remains a very high threat system, albeit a very old system, effective - just as the Russians tend to build equipment, look at the venerable AK47...

19 May

1940
1 Squadron departed from Zwartkop to Nairobi with 22 Hartbees aircraft, heralding their start of operations during the WWII campaign in East Africa.

1942
A Curtiss P-75 Mohawk (2539) crashed during a downwind landing.

1943
Aircraft Deliveries: Tiger Moth: 4615 to 4624 (arrived in Union)
A Master (2802) was involved in a fatal accident.
A Fury (223) reportedly crashed in the Eerste Rivier area.

1944
A de Havilland Tiger Moth (4660), was involved in an accident after take-off (fatal accident).
A Supermarine Spitfire allocated to 4 Squadron was reported to have crashed.

1950
1 Squadron received a batch of ten de Havilland Vampire aircraft at Air Force Base Waterkloof.

1953
An F-86F-30 Sabre (619 “M”), allocated to 2 Squadron crashed due to gear failure on landing.

1982
An Atlas Impala Mk II (1023) was involved in an accident in the Brits area.

1986
3 Squadron had a short deployment to M’pacha. The aim was to conduct a fighter escort mission for a flight of Canberras tasked to conduct interdiction missions against selected enemy targets. All aircraft returned to Waterkloof the same day as their arrival.

20 May

1940
Three Valentia aircraft flew: Khartoum – Atbara – Wadi Haifa (Air Support for 1 Squadron)

1941
1 Squadron. A Hurricane conducted a Test Flight.
Captain Quirk, a 1 Squadron pilot was awarded a DSO.

1942
A Curtiss P-75 Mohawk (2503) suffered engine failure and executed a forced landing.

1944
44 Squadron’s pilots soloed for the 1st time on the Dakotas allocated a month prior.

1970
An Impala Mk 1 (512), presumably allocated to Flying Training School Langebaanweg, crashed in the Langebaanweg area, fatally injuring Maj GH van Dyk and Capt. PS Weyers.

1980
The South African Air Force provided helicopter support to 32 Battalion during Operation TIRO-A-TIRO conducted in Savate (Angola).

1983
The African National Congress’ military wing set off a car bomb outside Air Force Headquarters (Church Street), Pretoria.

1986
A Cessna C-185E (745) was presumably written-off, when it flipped-over during the landing phase of the mission.

2005
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Polokwane; this was show number 463.

21 May

1940
A 1 Squadron Fury (205) ferried from Waterkloof to Durban, to be shipped to East Africa.
Three Valentia flew from Wadi Haifa – Asyut - Helliopolis (Air Support for 1 Squadron)

1941
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew four Armed Reconnaissance missions.

1942
Two Ansons (3227 and 3214) were involved in an accident.

1947
Three T.6 Harvards (7299, 7581 and 7584) crashed in unrelated accidents.

1956
Two T.6 Harvard (7276 & 7377) crashed. ‘7276’ reportedly flew into the runway at Port Elizabeth during an instrument approach. ‘7377’ apparently hit trees during a low-level training mission.

1957
The first Shackleton MR.3 delivery took-place when a Shackleton MR Mk 3 (1717 “O”) ferried to RAF St Mawgan for ‘work-up’ exercises.

1987
Information Note (Border War). Meetings between the SADF and UNITA continued to discuss the military situation in the 3rd and 6th Military Region (Angola).

1997
An S-316 Alouette III (68) crashed in the Kaapmuiden area.

2005
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Polokwane; this was show number 464 and 465.

22 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 23rd confirmed air-to-air victory.

1940
12 Squadron departed from South Africa with Ju-86s to participate in the East African Campaign.
1 Squadron ferried four Hurricane Mk1 (271, 273, 274 and 277) from Waterkloof to Nairobi (Kenya). The aircraft arrived in theatre on this day to start operations against the Italian forces in Abyssinia.
1 Squadron Furies (202 and 203) ferried from Waterkloof to Durban, to be shipped to East Africa.
Three Valentia flew: Heliopolis – Wadi Suier (Air Support for 1 Squadron)

1941
1 Squadron. Five Hurricanes done Ferry flights.

1942
A De Havilland Tiger Month (2350), crashed during a training mission in the Witbank area.

1943
Two Hurricanes (HV721 and HV785) allocated to 7 Squadron were involved in fatal crashes.

1944
A Spitfire (MJ738) allocated to 4 Squadron crashed.

1976
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Impala Mk II serial 1037.

1981
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Impala Mk II serial 1084.

1983
Operation SKERWE took place – retaliatory strike on various “ANC’ targets in the Maputo (Mozambique) area following the Church Street Bomb Blast.

1985
A Mirage IIID2Z (848), 85 Combat Flying School “Mirage Flight” crashed in the Pietersburg area (possibly in vicinity of Roodewal Range), fatally injuring, Maj JP Wessels. (A/I)

1987
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at the Military Academy; this was show number 115.

Is there anywhere I can find more info on this strike? (number of A/C, type etc). I seem to remember it being mentioned somewhere in the line of books I've read but old information's been pushed by the new...

_________________
A plan is simply a basis for change.

From a former F1 pilot:

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

23 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 Fokker DR1, this was his 24th 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 24th confirmed air-to-air victory.

1940
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hind (K6625)
22 Hartbees aircraft (1 Squadron) arrived in Nairobi - these aircraft had left South Africa on 19 May 1940.
A Hart I (331), was involved in an accident in the Kimberly area, fatally injuring 2 Lt PJ Warden, the second crew member survived the accident.
1 Squadron Furies (200 and 204) ferried from Waterkloof to Durban, to be shipped to East Africa.
Two Valentia flew to Wadi Suier (Ferry)

1944
Two Airspeed Oxfords (3534 and 3311) crashed, one fatality had been reported.

1945
A Bristol Beaufighter (NV333) crashed, two fatalities were reported.

1969
A C47A Dakota (6803) was written-off due to an accident.

1976
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Impala Mk II serial 1038.

1983
Operation SKERWE took place – retaliatory strike on various “ANC’ targets in the Maputo (Mozambique) area following the Church Street Bomb Blast, when Impala’s attacked targets in Mozambique.

1989
Aircraft Delivery
C-208 Caravan: ZS-MHJ (3005) and ZS-MHL (3008)

2000
The South African Air Force announced the requirement for a new Presidential aircraft.

24 May

1940
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hind (L7203)
Four Hurricanes (1 Squadron) arrived in Nairobi (Kenya) supported by a Junkers Ju-86.

1941
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hind (198)
Information Note (WWII East Africa Campaign): Italian forces at Addis Ababa agreed to surrender to allied forces
A Hurricane Mk 1 (290) was written-off after being destroyed by an explosive trap!

1942
5 Squadron reported the loss of two Curtiss Tomahawks: AN240 and AN247 when one of these aircraft taxied into the other on the ground.

1943
Aircraft Deliveries: Tiger Moth: 4645 to 4656 (arrived in Union)
An Airspeed Oxford (3530) crashed during a low-level accident - , two fatalities were reported.
A de Havilland DH-82 (2339) was involved in an accident at low-level in the Vlakfontein Area.

1944
A 1 Squadron Supermarine Spitfire (JG617) crashed due to an engine fire in flight.

1947
An Anson (4562) crashed when a tyre burst on take-off.

1955
A T.6 Harvard (7691) was involved in a fatal low-level training accident.

1981
A C47 Dakota (6878) was destroyed during a hanger fire.

2006
The first two Hawk Mk-120’s (251 and 252) were handed over to 85 Combat Flying School.

25 May

1940
SAAs Ju-52/m3 ceased flying in anticipation of being transferred to the SAAF

1941
Aircraft Delivery: Hind 197 and 3027
A Maryland (1608/AH-304) crashed during landing.

1942
A Curtiss P-75 Mohawk (2501) crashed during take-off.
A Hurricane allocated to 1 Squadron reportedly crashed.

1943
A Boston Mk III (Z2257) allocated to 24 Squadron was shot down by hostile aircraft.
A Hartbees (851) was written-off during an accident. This aircraft is currently on display at the SA War Museum.

1944
A Supermarine Spitfire (MJ688); allocated to 2 Squadron was involved in a fatal accident.

1945
Two unrelated T.6 Harvard (7076 and 7484) crashed. Two fatalities were reported.

1956
Two T.6 Harvard (7645 and 7675), crashed - one fatality per aircraft reported.

1965
Buccaneer (413) was flown from Holme-On-Spalding-Moor to Lossiemouth, by Commandant Rogers, so becoming the first Buccaneer to be delivered to the reformed 24 Squadron.

1980
The SADF Launched Operation SCEPTIC (till 30 June), with South African Air Force support, during which only one Alouette III was lost during the operation. SCEPTIC was the largest Mechanized Infantry operation launched by SA forces since WWII. The objective was to destroy the SWAPO/PLAN Command and Control Centre/HQ at Chifufua.

1992
The Rooivalk ADM made its first flight.

2001
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Nelspruit; this was show number 377.

26 May

1918
Charles G. Ross, a South African pilot serving in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, flying a SE5A, successfully shot-down a German DFW-C, this was his 1st air-to-air victory.

1920
An Avro 504 flew to Kuruman to participate in a military exercise.

1940
1 Squadron’s six Fury aircraft and all crew embarked on-board the SS Takliwa which sailed to Mombasa to participate in the East African Campaign (WWII).

1941
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hart ‘Trainer’ / Serial(s): 457, 461-464 and 466.
1 Squadron. Hurricanes flew two Ferry flights and four Combat Air Patrols (in support of HMS Formidable).
A Tutor (724) was involved in a fatal crash in the Bloemfontein area.
A Maryland (1627/AH329) crashed during take-off.

1943
An Airspeed Oxford (3779) crashed after instrument failure during a night take-off.

1944
A Curtiss P40D Kittyhawk (FX564), allocated to 5 Squadron executed a forced landing after suffering damage from hostile ground fire.
4 Squadron reported the loss of three Supermarine Spitfires; nl MJ885 - abandoned after glycol leak; MJ913 - engine failure and MA752 – runaway propeller.

1945
The remaining Wellingtons (26 Squadron) withdrew from the West Africa Theatre of Operation, and returned to the Royal Air Force at Takarodi. This saw the conclusion of 26 Squadron’s operational duty in WWII.

1965
The South African Air Force took delivery of its first Buccaneer S.Mk50 (413) at the Royal Naval Air Station Lossiemouth, United Kingdom.

1971
A formation of three HS-125 Mercurius aircraft (serial 01, 02,03) participating in a Republic Day flypast crashed into Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain, Cape Town. All on-board were fatally injured.

1980
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Impala Mk II serial 1071.

1986
Buccaneer ‘412’ flew from Durban to Waterkloof, carrying ‘First Day’ envelopes marking 21 Years of Buccaneer Service in the SA Air Force.

1990
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Kimberly; this was show number 175.
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating Impala Mk 1 aircraft, performed at Swartkops; this was show number 176.

2000
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Nelspruit; this was show number 362.

2001
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team; operating PC-7 Mk II aircraft, performed at Nelspruit; this was show number 378 and 379