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PostPosted: 03 Jul 2010, 10:41 
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Dean wrote:
Gripen wrote:
Forgive my stupidity, but what are the silver 'wings' for?


The number of hours flown determines the type of wings. Pilots generally start with bronze wings, progressing to silver wings and then gold. I think you need 3 000 hours to qualify for gold wings.


Ah ok, thanks Dean! :smt023

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PostPosted: 03 Jul 2010, 13:23 
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Just a btw remark - Gripen, I think "Sardine" is a really great personal callsign!
I believe you once mentioned that you're tall - maybe you feel a bit canned when you're in a cockpit?


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PostPosted: 03 Jul 2010, 18:14 
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Roger the Dodger wrote:
Just a btw remark - Gripen, I think "Sardine" is a really great personal callsign!
I believe you once mentioned that you're tall - maybe you feel a bit canned when you're in a cockpit?

:lol:
I'm not that tall. About 1.75m. But, extremely clever =D>

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PostPosted: 04 Jul 2010, 18:38 
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Some more from W407594F's collection :D

W407594F wrote:
This item (attached Photo) Springbok in gilted metal, is as far as I know was worn by SAAF Bandsman on their pith helmet. I once saw a photo of one being worn but have lost it.
Would be nice to see if anyone on the Forum knows anything about it.
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Image

Cheers

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PostPosted: 04 Jul 2010, 23:56 
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Location: ILS RWY19, FACT (Cape Town)
I sent the pic to Willem Steenkamp & asked if he had ever seen anything like it ... :?:
Willem Steenkamp wrote:
Yup, sure have - wish it was mine. This dates back to 1934, when the Army and SAAF were first issued with the "polo helmet", the small sun-helmet which was a South African trademark right through WWII and for some time afterwards.

It is not a badge as such but what is technically called a "finial" - the button on the top of the helmet was screwed off and the finial screwed on. There was a spiked finial for the Army except for artillery units, which wore a ball finial supported by a wreath.

The finial (whichever one applicable) and a "chin chain" - a detachable leather chinstrap with brass scales - were detachable items which could be added to the polo helmet for ceremonial dress.
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PostPosted: 05 Jul 2010, 23:22 
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More from W407594F's extensive colection :smt023

A WWII SAAF pilot's uniform :D

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Cheers

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PostPosted: 23 Sep 2010, 18:33 
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Another addition to Mrs Kremlin's allready crowded patch jacket.

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Thanks to Flight Sgt Phillip-John Jacobsz of 35 Sqdrn. :smt023

Cheers

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PostPosted: 25 Sep 2010, 10:58 
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Kremlin wrote:
More from W407594F's extensive colection :smt023

A WWII SAAF pilot's uniform :D

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Cheers


Bet that the jeans were not standard issue :p What medals do those campaign ribbons represent?

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PostPosted: 26 Sep 2010, 13:23 
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Picked up a couple of things at AAD.

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Now all I need is posters of the:
Hawk
A109
Oryx
Won't say no to ones of the Alo III, Mirages and Cheetah.

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PostPosted: 30 Sep 2010, 13:39 
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The ribbon bar is abit faded due to age, exposed to sunlight etc

1) 1939 - 1945 Star (ribbon colours represent the Navy, Army and Air Force, time period 3 Septemeber 1939 to 2 September 1945)
2) Italian Star (ribbon is the colours of the Italian flag and time period 11 June 1943 to 8 May 1945 for areas listed below)
3) Africa Service Medal (ribbon colours green and gold for SA and the Red middel for the volunteer "Red Oath") This medal was issued to those who served at home and overseas.

The Italian Star was issued for Service in these areas, Italy, Sicily, Greece, Yugoslavia, Aegean, Dodecanese Islands, Corsica, Sardina and Elba.


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PostPosted: 03 Oct 2010, 12:50 
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W407594F wrote:
The ribbon bar is abit faded due to age, exposed to sunlight etc

1) 1939 - 1945 Star (ribbon colours represent the Navy, Army and Air Force, time period 3 Septemeber 1939 to 2 September 1945)
2) Italian Star (ribbon is the colours of the Italian flag and time period 11 June 1943 to 8 May 1945 for areas listed below)
3) Africa Service Medal (ribbon colours green and gold for SA and the Red middel for the volunteer "Red Oath") This medal was issued to those who served at home and overseas.

The Italian Star was issued for Service in these areas, Italy, Sicily, Greece, Yugoslavia, Aegean, Dodecanese Islands, Corsica, Sardina and Elba.


Something that I've just noticed is that the cut and design of this tunic, right down to the little pocket on the right hand side, is identical to the SAP W/O tunic that I have.

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PostPosted: 03 Oct 2010, 14:57 
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The SAPolice tunic you have will be the dark blue Winter dress tunic which came out +/- 1957 and also used for parades. This tunic was worn from Constable to General, just the trimmings varied.

Cst to Captain dog collars
Major to General gorgets
Cst to W/O SAP shoulder titles
Combination belt, sort of like a sam brown (tony red), has holster (left side) and hand cuff pouch (right side)

Parade
Cst to Sgt parade bayonet belt, brown (tony red)
W/O to General brown (tony red) gloves and sam brown
Lt to General, sword

The SAPolice also used the very dark blue going towards black and also Khaki.

On duty is worn with first grey and then later 1970's era to 1994 with a L/sleeve light blue shirt.

For parades etc it was worn with a L/sleeve white shirt.


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PostPosted: 12 Nov 2010, 21:05 
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Spent 25 pounder (88mm) casing from the 1812 fire mission, during this years Cape Military Tattoo :D :D

Image

Image

It stinks like a million rotten eggs ... :lol:

I'm not sure if I want to clean it & polish & mount it, or leave it in its current state & in the plastic transport case.

Cheers

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PostPosted: 14 Nov 2010, 00:15 
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We have an old WW II one hanging in the bar in our mess - it's the last rounds bell. If you're unfortunate enough to ring it accidentally, then you are expected to buy all pers present a round :) Not sure if you'd want to convert it for that purpose though...

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PostPosted: 17 Dec 2010, 02:11 
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Stinks like rotten eggs? That's cordite mate - gunner's perfume! Nothing beats it!


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