The SAAF Forum

01 January information updated.

07 JANUARY...

1941

A Hawker Hartbees, serial 832 was written-off during an accident, reportedly caused by an engine failure, both crew were fatally wounded - no further information available.

1942

The South African Air Force, lost a total of seven (7) Curtiss Tomahawk aircraft during operations, mainly due to hostile air-to-air actions, the detail of the losses are as follows:

- Serial ‘AR-294’: Shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, approximately 10nm north of Agedabia (capital of the Al Wahat District, NE Libya), the pilot was fatally wounded.

- Serial ‘AK-518’: Shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, fatally wounding the pilot.

- Serial ‘AK-525’: Shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, in the vicinity of Agedabia (capital of the Al Wahat District, NE Libya), the pilot was captured and listed as a Prisoner of War.

- Serial ‘AN-411’: Reportedly lost due to an engine failure, North East of Agedabia.

- Serial ‘AK-406’: Shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, in the vicinity of Agedabia (capital of the Al Wahat District, NE Libya).

- A further two aircraft - serial ‘unknown’: Shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, one of which the pilot had been fatally wounded.



1943

An Airspeed Oxford (3477), whilst conducting a target tow mission, reportedly lost control and crashed, fatally wounding all four crew onboard the aircraft.

1945

A Ventura, allocated to 22 Squadron, crashed following a reported engine failure over Gibraltar. The aircraft serial: 6451.

1969

A Cessna C185D (734) was written-off following an accident at Kutanga Range (Rhodesia). Lt JH van Heerden and one passenger were fatally wounded during this incident.

1981

A SA-321L Super Frelon, serial 315 was involved with an accident at Air Force Base Mpacha (South West Africa/Namibia).

1982

A Harvard, 7651, was involved in a fatal accident (one crew member) at Dunnottar.

08 JANUARY...

1941

A Junkers Ju-53/3M, serial 668 (ex-ZS-ALR) was written-off during an accident approximately 7nm North East of Mbeya. The following crew members were fatally wounded: Lt PJ de Villiers, Lt NL Gordon, A/Mechs RG Edwards and RS Martin. Tragically 11 passengers were fatalities too.

1942

Two Douglas Boston III aircraft, allocated to 24 Squadron crashed at ‘LG-124’ due to bad weather conditions. The details are as follows:

- Z-2161: All crew OK.
- Z-2168: All crew OK.

1944

A Spitfire, ‘ES-343’, allocated to 4 Squadron, crashed when its tire burst (take-off) at the Tringo airfield.

1966

An S-316 Alouette III (56) whilst supporting operations in Mozambique was lost due to hostile actions in the Lorenco Marques area. Capt GN Shawe, A/Cpl FH Moolman and three passengers were fatally wounded.

1982

Atlas C4M Kudu (994) crashed in the Potchefstoom area. Lt C. Brits was fatally wounded.

1993

The South African Air Force’s nine C-160Z Transall aircraft, which operated from 28 Squadron, Air Force Base Waterkloof were withdrawn from active service. One aircraft (337 – see below picture) was donated to the SA Air Force Museum.

The complete list for the personnel killed in the Ju 52/3m crash on 08.01.1941.

They are buried at Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery 6. B. Coll. Grave 1-16 Tanzinia

De Villiers P.J 25 Lieutenant 47646 Pilot 12 Squadron SAAF
Edwards R.G * Air Mechanic 94229 Crew 12 Squadron SAAF
Gordon N.L 24 Lieutenant 47640 Pilot 1 Squadron SAAF
Martin R.S 26 Air Mechanic 59187 Crew 12 Squadron SAAF
Els W.C * Air Mechanic 97048 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF
Finlayson E.I * Air Sergeant 102149 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF
Grek I.H 20 Air Mechanic 97010 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF
Grey R.A.H 27 Air Sergeant 102176 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF
Lang E.G * Air Mechanic 96533 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF
Nel A.A 24 Air Sergeant 58254 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF
Oliver W.V 23 Air Mechanic 95526 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF
Olivier W * Air Sergeant 5601 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF
Pennel R.J.A 20 Air Mechanic 94371 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF
Rivers C.J 28 Air Sergeant 102330 Pax 1 Squadron SAAF
Van Aswegen C.E * Air Sergeant 102189 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF
Van Niekerk I.M * Air Sergeant 102117 Pax 12 Squadron SAAF

Thanks

09 JANUARY...

1943

An Avro Anson, 3101, overshot the runway at Port Elizabeth, and crashed.

1944

A 2 Squadron Spitfire (serial JK-388), reported engine trouble and subsequently crashed into the ocean. The pilot did not survive the accident.

1945

A Ventura (serial 6439), allocated to 23 Squadron, crashed due to an engine failure after take-off, there were four fatalities.

1979

A 24 Squadron, Buccaneer S.Mk-50 (serial 424), crashed in the Roetan area, whilst conducting a night flying sortie. Capt PB Duncan and Lt PP Wahl were fatally wounded.



1980

An S-316 Alouette III (45), deployed on operations in Rhodesia, crashed.

That is a cracking picture of the Bucc - one of my favourite SAAF planes. That heli that crashed in Rhodesia, must have been pretty early 1980? Do you have any more details of that incident please Old Spice? (sorry couldn't resist :p )

_________________
A plan is simply a basis for change.

10 JANUARY...

1944

A De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth, serial 560, crashed in Southern Rhodesia (?) when it apparently lost control due to bad (bumpy) weather conditions during approach to the airfield.

A second DH.82 crashed as well on this day, the aircraft number being 2208.

1945

A Spitfire, belonging to 1 Squadron, was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft artillery; the pilot did not survive the engagement. The aircraft serial number has been reported to be PT-971.

1950

Spitfire, serial 5521, stationed at Langebaanweg (South Africa), crashed following engine failure.

1991

19 Squadron became the first helicopter squadron to receive the locally manufactured Oryx medium-lift helicopter; the unit was re-located to Air Force Base Louis Trichardt.

09 January 1980

No further information.

Cheers

_________________
A plan is simply a basis for change.

11 JANUARY...

1942

During a formation take-off, a South African Air Force Tomahawk (AK-572) crashed. It is reported to have occurred due to dust during the take-off.

1944

Two T-6 Harvards of the South African Air Force were involved in accidents, detail as follows:

Serial 7198, had an engine failure and executed a forced landing at Nooitgedacht, the aircraft was written-off.
Serial 7262, overturned after landing at Grand Central airport.

1973

The SA Air Force renamed the Multi-Engine Conversion Unit, to 86 Advanced Flying School, based at Air Force Base Bloemspruit (FABL).

1981

Angola claimed the SA Air Force had commenced tactical reconnaissance operations, followed by a land-force crossing of a Motorized Infantry Company to attack a base at Chiede.

1985

A Mirage IIIDZ (serial number 839) was written-off during an accident in the Pietersburg area. The aircraft was operated by 85 Advanced Flying School.

1991

An Alouette III, serial 620 ditched into the sea in the Cape St Francis area close to Port Elizabeth, the crew safely escaped from the aircraft, which was later recovered from the ocean. It is presumed to have been allocated to 16 Squadron.

2005

The South African Air Force’s first JAS-39D “SA01” Gripen entered the final assembly stage at Saab’s facilities in Sweden.

12 JANUARY...

1937

A De Havilland DH-9, serial 109, crashed.

1941

A Gloster Gladiator (serial 5822), was involved in a fatal accident after being shot down.

1942

7 Squadron was established at Air Force Base Swartkop and equipped with Harvard and Mowhawk aircraft.



A Hawker Hartbees, serial 829 written-off during an accident at low-level - no further information available.

1943

A Hawker Fury, serial 205, crashed in the Paarlvlei, fatally wounding the pilot Lt DH L’Ange.

A Hawker Fury, serial 210, reportedly crashed in the Faure area, following the aircraft experiencing a stall during a low-level attack (training sortie). Lt K Mc Curdey was fatally wounded.

A De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth, serial 569, crashed in the Boskop area (Potchefstroom).

Two Douglas Boston aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision in the area of Benghazi. There were nine fatalities. The aircraft involved were ‘Z-2178’ and ‘Z-2274’.

A 1 Squadron Spitfire (EP-655) crashed – the pilot had inhaled ‘glycol fumes’.

1944

A Curtiss Kittyhawk, FR-498 crashed.

1945

The following accidents involving Airspeed Oxford AS-10 aircraft took place:

- Aircraft ‘3314’ experienced a major structural failure event – the port wing detached from the fuselage, whilst flying approximately 12nm East of Nigel. 1 fatality reported.

- A mid-air collision between aircraft serial 3580 and 3704, resulted in a single fatality.

1951

A Spitfire (5611), presumably stationed at Langebaanweg, crashed due to engine failure.

1965

A Harvard (7713) was involved in a fatal accident, when the aircraft crashed in the Bulwer area whilst on a night flying sortie. Only the pilot was onboard the aircraft.

1966

The SA Air Force’s only Cessna 320C Skynight (serial 771) was handed over to the South African Police Air Wing, as ZS-EJL.

1978

An S-316 Alouette III (49[1]) allocated to support operations in Rhodesia was shot down by hostile ground-to-air elements. The aircraft was reported to have been repaired in South Africa.

1981

Angolan news report claimed the SA Air Force had attacked Cuamato with Mirages, and support was provided by six Puma helicopters.

13 JANUARY....

1923

A D.H.9 (serial 103) was written-off following an accident - no further details available.

1942

An impressed BU-131 D2 aircraft, serial 1552, crashed whilst performing low-level aerobatics. The pilot did not survive the accident. The aircraft’s civil registration was ZS-ARO.

1943

Three Baltimore aircraft, allocated to 21 Squadron were lost due to hostile actions:

- Serial No ‘AG-842’ was reported missing following an operational mission, the pilot was not found, presumed dead.
- Serial No ‘AG-933’ was reported ‘crashed’.
- Serial No ‘AG873’ was shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, the pilot was fatally wounded.

1993

The first two Cheetah C aircraft were delivered to Air Force Base Louis Trichardt. The pilots were Commandant Clive Turner and Major Johan du Plessis.



2005

A Hawk Mk 120 made its first flight in South African skies, during its first test-flight from the Denel facilities at O.R. Tambo International Airport, with the SA Air Force serial 251.

14 JANUARY...

1942

A De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth, serial 2124, spun in and crashed in the Wonderboom area. One fatality.

1943

The first of two De Havilland Devon aircraft (103) was delivered to the South African Air Force.

A Baltimore (21 Squadron), serial AG-879, crashed. One fatality reported.

1945

An Avro Anson aircraft had a catastrophic structural failure, when it broke-up in flight, during a night flying sortie in the Port Elizabeth area. All four crew onboard suffered fatal injuries. Aircraft serial: 3252.

1952

An F-51 Mustang (376), allocated to 2 Squadron, based in Korea crashed during an operational sortie.

1966

The SA Air Force took delivery of its first DC-4-1009 Skymaster. The first aircraft to be delivered was serial 6902, which is currently on static display at the SA Air Force Museum (Swartkop) – see below. The arrival of these aircraft heralded the strengthening of 44 Squadron, which had previously been re-established in 1953 as a Citizen Force Transport Squadron.

15 JANUARY ...

1944

A fatal accident, involving four crew members was reported to have occurred in the Eshowe area, when a Lockheed Ventura crashed, serial 6026.

A second Ventura, belonging to 22 Squadron, serial 6408, reported an in-flight fire and ditched, all four crew sustained fatal injuries.

1945

A Bristol Beaufighter, NV-350, ditched close to Kornat Island, after a reported engine failure.

1952

An F-51 Mustang (371), allocated to 2 Squadron, based in Korea crashed during an operational sortie, the pilot was taken Prisoner of War.

1985

On 15 January 1985, a MB-326KC Impala Mk II, serial 1006 was written-off during an accident, in the Operational Area (South West Africa).

2008

A PC-7MkII was involved in a fatal crash in the Bredasdorp area.