SAAF: January 1920 to Present

[Spice]

26 March

1925

A de Havilland DH-9 (128) was written-off following an accident - no further information. (A)

1930

An Avro 504K (429) was written-off following an accident, the pilot survived the accident. It was involved in a mid-air collision with a de Havilland DH-9. (A)

1942

A de Havilland Tiger Month (2181) crashed during a low-level exercise. (A)

1943

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
• A Douglas Boston (AL-276) allocated to 24 Squadron did not return from an interdiction mission. (C/L)
• A Lockheed Ventura (6061), allocated to 22 Squadron, suffered engine failure after take-off and crashed. (A)
• Three Curtis Kittyhawks were involved in accidents: 4 Squadron: ET-851; possibly shot down by anti-aircraft artillery; one Prisoner of War. (C/L) / 5 Squadron: EV-430; missing from interdiction mission, pilot presumed killed. (C/L) / 5 Squadron: AK-615; possibly shot down by anti-aircraft fire. (C/L)
• Two Baltimore aircraft crashed during missions: 21 Squadron: AG-919, Baltimore Mk III; engine failure – forced landing. (A) / 21 Squadron: AG-956, Baltimore Mk III; forced landing (reason unknown).

1944

A Vickers Wellington Mk IX (MP692), suffered engine failure after take-off and ditched. (A)

1945

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
• An Avro Anson (3174) was involved in an accident. (A)
• A North American Harvard (7372) crashed in the Rietkuil area. (A)

1957

A North American AT-6A Harvard (7644), crashed during a night navigation exercise. The crew sustained fatal injuries. (A)

1971

A Canadair CL13B Sabre Mk.6 (377) was written-off during an accident on the Bloubergstand beach area. (A)

The prototype Casa-212 Aviocar also took to the skies for the first time, the Air Force operates a number of Casa 212 (-300s).

1977

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 32 at Van Rynsdorp, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.

1987

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 113 at Langebaanweg, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.

1988

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 143 at Rand Airport, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.

1992

An Aerospatiale S-316 Alouette III (40[2]), crashed in the Louis Trichardt area. (A)

2003

The first all black crew mission took place in the South African Air Force, from 21 Squadron in a Falcon 50 that flew from Waterkloof to Bloemspruit then back to Waterkloof.

2006

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 481 at Simonstown, equipped with PC-7 Mk II Astra aircraft.
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 482 at Langebaanweg, equipped with PC-7 Mk II Astra aircraft.

[Spice]

27 March

1918

Information Note. Douglas J. Bell, a South African citizen, serving in the and Royal Flying Corps, flying a Sopwith Camel during World War 1 shot-down a German LVG-C (Kill Claim #13).

1941

1 Squadron took part in the fighting around the key Italian fortress at Keren (Kenya), which fell on 27 March 1941.

1942

5 Squadron: A Tomahawk IIB (AN448) successfully shot down a Bf-109 approximately 15nm from El Adem.

Figure 21: Curtiss Tomahawk

A Miles Master (2628) reportedly crashed. (A)

Two Curtiss Tomahawks, allocated to 2 Squadron were shot down by enemy aircraft (most likely Bf-109s), the serial numbers were AN-295 and AN439. (C/L)

1943

The following Curtiss Kittyhawk aircraft were written-off during operational missions:
• 4 Squadron; EV-418; Pilot – Prisoner of War. (C/L)
• 4 Squadron; AK-741; Aircraft did not return from interdiction mission. (C/L)
• 4 Squadron; ET-244; Damaged by anti-aircraft fire; returned to home base; written-off. (C/L)
• 5 Squadron; AK-766; fatal accident – crashed on road.
• 5 Squadron; ET-926 and ET-1025; Damaged by anti-aircraft fire; returned to home base; written-off. (C/L)

A 1 Squadron Spitfire V intercepted and damaged a Messerschmitt Me-210 approximately 30nm North West of Gabes.

1944

A North American Harvard Mk IIA (7283) was involved in a fatal accident – a wing broke off during flight. (A)

1945

A 22 Squadron Lockheed Ventura, participated in a Search and Rescue mission for a USAAF B-17 Fortress that had been reported missing. After an 18hour search, the aircraft was found in Southern Portugal subsequent to a forced landing.

A North American Harvard Mk III (7420) crashed in the Heidelberg area, both crew sustained fatal injuries. (A)

1968

A de Havilland Vampire (225) was involved in a fatal mid-air collision with a Sabre in the Pietersburg area. (A)

2004

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 424 at Simonstown, equipped with PC-7 Mk II Astra aircraft.

[Spice]

28 March

1935

The first Consolidated PBY Catalina made its prototype flight. The South African Air Force took delivery of a number of Catalina’s during World War II.

1941

A Lockheed 18-08 Lodestar (ex ZS-AST, c/n 2034), crashed during bad weather in the Eland’s Bay area. There were seven fatalities. (A)

1942

A Douglas Boston allocated to 12 Squadron, was written-off due to shrapnel damage after returning safely to home base, one crew member sustained fatal injuries. Aircraft serial: Z-2198. (C/L)

1944

A Curtiss Kittyhawk (5069) crashed at Waterkloof. (A)

1969

A Douglas Dakota (6818) was involved in an accident. (A)

1981

\The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 48 at Goodwood, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.

1991

The remaining Buccaneers , allocated to 24 Squadron were withdrawn from active service during a final farewell parade held at Air Force Base Waterkloof.

2001

ZS-RSA, the South African Air Force’s Boeing B-737 BBJ was rolled-out at the Boeing factory in the United States of America.

[Spice]

29 March

1941

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
• Hurricane, serial 287 “S’ destroyed on the ground, during a strafing run executed by an CR32 aircraft, following the aircraft initially being shot-up by own ground fire earlier the day! (C/L)
• A Vickers Valentia, serial 264 was destroyed by enemy aircraft (strafing) at Jigjigga airfield. No loss of life reported. A Junkers Ju-52/3M (serial 660, ex ZS-AFD) was also destroyed during the strafing. (C/L)
3 Squadron ‘ran short’ of Hurricanes, as a stop-gap measure, 12 Gladiators were allocated from 94 Squadron (Royal Air Force).

1942

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
• A 5 Squadron Curtiss Tomahawk IIB (AN-448) shot down a Luftwaffe Bf-109.
• A Martin Maryland (1679) crashed after take-off – cockpit hatch opened, one fatality reported. (A)

1943

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
• A de Havilland Tiger Month (2476), crashed in the Bloemfontein area. (A)
• 5 Squadron reported the loss of the following Curtiss Kittyhawk aircraft: ET-793 ; shot down by hostile anti-aircraft artillery. (C/L) / ET-1021; shot down by hostile anti-aircraft fire – ditched. (C/L)

1944

5 Squadron reported the loss of the following Curtiss Kittyhawk aircraft:
• FX-574; ditched during operational mission. (C/L?)
• FX-714; damaged by hostile anti-aircraft fire – written-off at home base. (C/L)

1945

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
• 11 Squadron reported the loss of a Curtiss Tomahawk (FT945) crashed – engine failure after take-off. (A)
• A Hawker Hurricane (5341) crashed in the Pretoria area, the pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft ran out of fuel. (A)
• A Supermarine Spitfire (PT-455), allocated to 3 Squadron suffered engine failure whilst escorting transport aircraft (apparently C-47 Dakotas). (A)

1969

A North American Harvard IIA (7291) was involved in a fatal accident in the Thabazimbi area. (A)

[Spice]

30 March

1943

A Lockheed Ventura (6003) crashed.

1944

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
• Two fatal Kittyhawk accidents took place at Umkomaas. The aircraft were reported to be serials 5006 and 5096. (A)
• 27 Squadron reported an aircraft accident that involved one of the units Ventura aircraft (6404), apparently the brakes failed and the aircraft then overshot the runway on landing. (A)

1946

An Avro Anson (1103) crashed at Khartoum during landing. (A)

1955

17 Squadron reported a loss of a Lockheed Ventura (6527) in the Port Elizabeth area. (A)

1988

An Impala Mk II (1010) was involved in an accident in the Ondangwa area. (If my memory recalls correctly, a ‘panel’ opened in-flight).
(A)

1994

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 274 at Hoedspruit, equipped with Impala Mk 1 aircraft.

2006

The Pilatus PC-7 Mk II aircraft reached the 100,000 flying hours mark.

[Spice]

31 March

1939

SAAF Order of Battle:
Hawker Hartbees (65), Hawker Hart (74 with 23 still to be delivered), Hawker Fury (6), Westland Wapiti (23), Avro Tutor (37/still in production), Airspeed Envoy (6), Hawker 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).

The prototype Miles Master made its first flight.

1941

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
• A Fairy Battle (907), crashed. (A)
• A Hawker Hurricane (VT733) allocated to 1 Squadron, was shot down, in the Asmara area. The pilot was fatally wounded. (C/L)

1942

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
• 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)
• A 2 Squadron Curtiss Tomahawk (AN-429) whilst in the circuit, preparing to land, was shot-down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109! (C/L)

1943

The following aircraft accidents/losses were reported:
• A Hawker Hartbees (810) was written-off during an accident in the Eastleigh area of Nairobi, fatally injuring the pilot Capt Donnelly - no further information available. (A)
• Two Airspeed Oxfords (3448 and 3729) were involved in a mid-air collision. (A)
• 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)
• A Miles Master (2879) was written-off during a forced landing, the aircraft’s reduction gear and propeller fell off in flight. (A)

1944

Two North American Harvard Mk IIAs (7160 and 7217) were involved in a fatal mid-air collision during low-level aerobatics. (A)

1952

Two Supermarine Spitfires (5561 and 5616) crashed during landing at Air Force Base Ysterplaat. (A)

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.

2005

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team flew show number 460 at Langebaanweg, equipped with PC-7 Mk II Astra aircraft

Monthly PDF should be ready for distribution this coming weekend...

[Spice]

APRIL....

Events: Date Unknown

1921

Zwartkop outside Pretoria was selected as the first South African Air Force Aerodrome.

1939

6 Squadron was formed in Cape Town, as a ‘shadow-squadron’ and equipped with Westland Wapiti III aircraft.

4 Squadron was formed in Durban operating Hawker Hartbees, Hawker Fury and Westland Wapiti aircraft.

5 (Chaka) Squadron was established as a fighter-bomber unit in Cape Town.

11 Squadron was formed in Durban as fighter-bomber unit operating Westland Wapiti aircraft.

1941

1 Squadron arrived in Western Desert, with Hawker Hurricanes, heralding its entry to start participation in World War II, and commenced operations from Amriya.

24 Squadron arrived in Western Desert equipped with Martin Marylands.

2 Squadron moved to Egypt, equipped with Curtiss Tomahawk IIB aircraft, the Hawker Furies were transferred to 70 ‘OUT’ unit in the Union.

21 Squadron deployed as follows: Zuara to Senem to Hazbub Main to El Djem.

1942

1 Squadron re-deployed to El Gamil from Landing Ground 13.

2 Squadron was re-equipped with Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk 1 aircraft.

15 Squadron deployed a flight (i.e. detachment) to Kufra.

1943

41 Squadron moved from Egypt to East Africa and was equipped with Hawker Hurricane IIB/C aircraft.

1 Squadron ceased operations from Bu Gararra, deployed to La Faunconnerie and on to Goubrine.

2 Squadron deployed from Nefatai Main to Hazbub Manin to El Maoui to Alem el Chel.

5 Squadron re-deployed from Hazbub to El Maoui to El Adem.

12 Squadron deployed from Zuara to Senem to El Djem.

16 Squadron deployed from Kififi (Kenya) to Landing Ground 91.

24 Squadron deployed from Zuara to El Djem, via Senem.

60 Squadron deployed from Senem to El Djem “North” then onward to Monistar.

40 Squadron: Lieutenant Colonel Blaauw was appointed the new Officer Commanding, he replaced Lieutenant Colonel Murray-Gardner.

1944

17 Squadron deployed from Ramat David to Gibraltar and onward to Bone.

28 Squadron’s Avro Anson conducted their last operational sortie using the latter aircraft type.

44 Squadron was re-equipped with Douglas Dakota Mk III aircraft.

1945

22 Squadron’s ‘La Senia’ Detachment was officially closed down. The detachment re-joined the Squadron at its base ‘Gibraltar’.

1963

The first Dassault Breguet Mirage IIICZs were delivered to the South African Air Force. The aircraft were transported from France to South Africa in the hold of C-130B Hercules aircraft.

1976

Information Note: State President BJ Voster formally concluded a agreement with Israel aimed at cooperating in the field of ‘missile technology’.

1978

Operation BRUILOF was cancelled and replaced with a new Operation, namely REINDEER.

1980

The last remaining Canadair CL-13B Sabre 6 fighters were withdrawn from service. The last operational unit at which these aircraft served was ’85 Combat Flying School’s ‘Sabre Flight’.

1987

The South African Air Force’s first operational test flights were conducted from the newly established Test Flight Development Centre, at Air Force Base Overberg. The unit previously operated from Air Force Base Waterkloof.

1992

The South African Air Force’s appreciated Order of Battle in 1992/1993 was appreciated to have comprised of the following (1991/92): 115 x Impala Mk 1; 75 x Impala Mk 2; 29 x Mirage F1AZ; 14 x Mirage F1CZ; 14 x Cheetah B/D; 12 x Cheetah E; 4 x B-707-320; 39 x C47 Dakota; 7 x C-130B Hercules; 9 x C-160Z; 4 x HS-125-400; 2 x King Air 200; 1 x Citation; 1 x Viscount; 4 x DC-4; 70 x SA-316/-319 Alouette III; 63 x SA-330 Puma; 34 x AM.3C Bosbok; 130 x T-6G Harvard IIA/III; 30 x SE-3130 Alouette III.

Info Note: On the para-military side, rumours had also surfaced about plans to establish a Coast Guard and equip it with seven Maritime Patrol aircraft.

1994

ZS-MLN, a Venda Defence Force Cessna 550 Citation was delivered to the South African Air Force. ZS-MHK a Beechcraft King Air 300 was also delivered to the South African Air Force.

1996

An additional eight Denel AH-2 Rooivalk helicopters were ordered, bring the total to 12.

1997

The first C-130B Hercules (Project EBB), serial 407, arrived at Marshall Aerospace (United Kingdom) for an upgrade project.

1998

After more than a decade of secrecy, the Raptor 1 (“H2”), precision munitions/long-range glide bomb was unveiled to the general public.
 
1999

16 Squadron was re-activated, at Air Force Base Bloemspruit, equipped with the new Rooivalk attack helicopter. The Squadron’s emblem is a winged red bull’s head, symbolic of a bull on the attack and this relates to the original emblem of a bull charging on a rocket, indicative of the strike role. The motto “HLASELANI” is Zulu for “attack!”

2005

60 Squadron’s B-707 deployed to Sweden in support the Gripen In-flight Refuelling trails and qualification on a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation type tanker (probe-and-drogue type).

2006

Information Note: South Africa / Israel Military Cooperation. The Israeli Defence Ministry intervened to block the release of the 1975 Agreement that outlined the planned bilateral military cooperation between the two countries.

2011

Information Note: The first three Cheetah aircraft (ex-South African) were delivered to the Ecuadorian Air Force.

[Spice]

01 April...

1939

No 3 Fighter-Bomber Squadron was re-established at Waterkloof.

1941

1 Squadron reported the loss of a Hawker Hurricane (V-7668), after it crashed into a telephone pole after take-off, fatally injuring the pilot. (A)

1942

A Curtiss Tomahawk (AN267) allocated to 5 Squadron crashed due to engine failure after take-off. (A)

1945

A Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX (MJ875) belonging to 7 Squadron was shot down by enemy ground fire, the pilot was fatally wounded. (C/L)

25 Squadron reported the loss of a Martin B-26 Marauder (HD669), after the crew abandoned the aircraft over the sea due to an in-flight engine fire. (A)

1951

The Air Force’s ‘Airfield Maintenance Unit’ was split into two new units, namely 100 Airfield Maintenance Squadron and 105 Airfield Maintenance Squadron, respectively based at Swartkop and Ysterplaat.

1974

Info Note: A cabinet decision in South Africa formalized a decision that the South African Defence Force would take-over responsibility for Counter-Insurgency Operations in the border/operational area (South West Africa/Angola Border), leaving the police to concentrate on their normal duties. During the second half of 1973, the South African Defence Force had already started to position and ramp-up its capabilities in South West Africa in anticipation of taking over this responsibility from the Police. the South African Defence Force responsibilities therefore commenced on 1 April 1974. It would take another 25 years for the initiation of the United Nations Resolution 435 to be implemented, co-incidentally Res 435 was implemented with the arrival of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG) in March 1989. UNTAG commenced operations on 1 April 1989.

1980

Air Force Station Durban was officially re-named Air Force Base Durban.

1989

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 159 at Hopefield – Freedom of City.

1993

Mobile Radar Group (MRG) and Air Defence Artillery Group (ADAG) merged and thereby established a new unit, namely Airspace Control Unit.

1999

8 Air Servicing Unit was established at Langebaanweg.

2000

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating PC-7 Mk II) conducted show number 356 at the Military Academy.
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating PC-7 Mk II) conducted show number 357 at Langebaanweg.

2003

A 2 Squadron Cheetah C (349), was written-off following an accident. The pilot Major A. Sera safely ejected. (A)

2011

The South African Air Force announced that a contract had been finalized to lease two Embraer Lineage 1000 aircraft to supplement the current fleet of aircraft at 21 Squadron. It was soon hereafter announced as ‘cancelled’...

[Spice]

02 April...

1942

All remaining 7 Squadron Curtiss Mohawk aircraft were transferred to 6 Squadron.

A Hawker Hart I (324) was involved in an accident, during which Pupil Pilot was fatally injured, when he fell out of the aircraft in flight. (A)

1945

A North American P-51 Mustang Mk IVA (KH705), was shot down by Anti-Aircraft Artillery, the pilot was subsequently taken Prisoner of War – the aircraft was allocated to 5 Squadron. (C/L)

A Hawker Hurricane (5231) crashed in South Africa. (A)

1953

A de Havilland Vampire FB-6 (214) was involved in a fatal accident at Langebaanweg, the aircraft belonged to 1 Squadron. (A)

1996

An Aerospatiale S-316 Alouette III (631), presumably allocated to 19 Squadron was involved in an accident which fatally injured Capt L Cloete and F/Sgt J Veldsman. (A)

[Spice]

03 April...

1942

A Curtis Tomahawk (AN239) was involved in a fatal accident during a Combat Air Patrol mission; the aircraft belonged to 5 Squadron. (C/L?)

1944

The following aircraft losses were reported:
A Supermarine Spitfire Mk VC (JK398) crashed – it belonged to 40 Squadron. (A or C/L?)
• A Curtis P-40D Warhawk (FX661), crashed (ditched) after being hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire, the pilot belonging to 5 Squadron was captured and taken Prisoner of War.(C/L)
• Three Airspeed Oxford were written-off during accidents: namely ‘1920’ crashed in the Pietersburg area, due to stall, whilst - ‘3649’ and ‘3712’ were involved in a fatal mid-air collision in the Air Force Base Pietersburg circuit area. (A)

1945

A North American P-51 Mustang Mk IVA (KH805) was shot down by Anti-Aircraft Artillery, the pilot survived, but taken Prisoner of War. (C/L)

1952

A Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXe (5608) crashed at Toothrock Weapons Range, Langebaan area. (A)

1954

A Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXe (5622) was involved in a fatal accident. (A)

1973

All six remaining Alouette IIs were transferred to the South African Police in support of Operation HEUP in Rhodesia.

1991

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 191 at Mykonos.

[Spice]

04 April...

1931

The first flight of the locally (under license) produced Westland Wapiti was conducted in the Union, piloted by Lt Holthouse.

1939

A Westland Wapiti (613) was involved in a mid-air collision with a Gypsey Moth (ZS-ACW) in the Durban area; the crew of the Wapiti, Lt Kinskey and P/P Schoeman were fatally injured. (A)

An Avro 621 Tutor (739) was involved in a fatal accident. (A)

1941

A Fiat CR32 and CR42 was captured at Addis Ababa, by the South African Air Force, and allocated serial numbers ‘21’ and ‘22’ respectively.

1942

A Hawker Hart I (328) was involved in an accident in the Boksburg area.

The Fiat CR32 and CR42 aircraft, captured in 1941, were transferred from 42 Squadron to 6 Squadron (Durban) and used during Air-to-Air Mission training and Communications flights.

1943

A Curtiss P40D Warhawk (AK708), allocated to 4 Squadron was shot down by ground forces. (C/L)

1945

A Lockheed Ventura (6486) crashed during a test flight, all six crew on-board sustained fatal injuries and belonged to 23 Squadron. (A)

A Consolidated Liberator B24J Mk VI (KK302), was involved in a fatal mid-air collision in the circuit when it collided with a 70 Squadron (Royal Air Force) Vickers Wellington. Eight fatalities were reported for the B24. (A)

1950

A North American Harvard Mk IIA (7316) was written-off following an unauthorized low-level flight over the sea along the Durban beach front area. (A)
 
1951

The South African Air Force’s pilots had made a significant contribution towards the development of the Fifth Air Force's 'Truck Busting' techniques and on 4 April 1951 the Commander of the Fifth Air Force, Lt Gen E.E. Partridge, singled out 2 Squadron during the United Nations Commander’s morning briefing as the most efficient unit at seeking out and destroying camouflaged enemy vehicles!!!

1969

A North American Harvard Mk IIA (7211) was involved in a fatal accident. (A)

1985

A 1 Squadron Mirage F-1AZ (222, referred to as “Cripple Two”), was written-off when Major J. Henning, departed on a test-flight, which turned into a disaster when after take-off he a fire warning in the afterburner section of the aircraft’s tail-pipe. He safely ejected at Air Force Base Hoedspruit. (A)

Info Note: According to Vlamgat (D. Lord): ‘Commandant Graham Rochat was the President of the Board of Inquiry. Amongst the wreckage he found a spanner with chaff marks on it. This could have lodged in the flight controls causing the loss of control. Another possibility was a 30cm piece of elevator control rod that was missing from a position alongside the afterburner section. The afterburner fire could have destroyed this section of the control rod, which would definitely have resulted in serious loss of pitch control.’

1992

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 228 at Jan Smuts Airport – Aviation Africa Airshow.

2005

60 Squadron completed the Gripen Air to Air refuelling trails (see 19/03/2005).

[Spice]

05 April

1941

1 Squadron conducted their last operational mission over Eritrea, the target being Gandar which was strafed by five Hurricanes, all 1 Squadron’s aircraft were damaged by enemy ground fire, but returned to base safely. The unit had remained at Kassala till the conclusion of the Eritrea Campaign.

1943

The following aircraft losses were reported:
• A 4 Squadron Curtiss P40D (FL712) was written-off.
• 25 Squadron reported the loss of a Lockheed Ventura (6046).
• 12 Squadron reported an accident, involving a Douglas Boston (Z2190), which resulted in three fatalities when a bomb-bay latch opened and the aircraft lost control in-flight. (A)

1946

Air Force Station Saldanha was officially proclaimed an ‘airfield’.

1961

Information Note: The first (prototype version) Dassault Breguet Mirage IIIE made its maiden flight in France; this was the ‘fighter-bomber’ variant of the Mirage IIIC.

1975

The first two Mirage F-1CZ’s arrived in South Africa, the cargo was delivered in a 28 Squadron C-130 Hercules. The first two Dassault Breguet Mirage F1CZ (204 and 205) were delivered and 3 Squadron was officially re-formed too.

1979

A Dassault Mirage IIID2Z (851), allocated to 85 Combat Flying School “Mirage Flight” was written-off during an accident, in the Pietersburg area. Captain Silberbauer was fatally injured. (A)

1990

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 171 at Rand Airport – Africa Aviation Airshow.

[Spice]

06 April

1941

After a successful campaign, 1 Squadron deployed to Egypt, their combat results in the Sudan operational area is summarized as follows: 48 Air-to-Air victories; 53 enemy aircraft destroyed on ground. 1 Squadron lost six pilots.

1942

The following aircraft losses were reported:
• A Hawker Hurricane belonging to 40 Squadron, crashed during an operational mission. The pilot was captured by enemy forces. (C/L)
• An Avro Anson (1124) crashed due to an in-flight engine fire. (A)

1943

Two Airspeed Oxfords (3646 and 3790) were involved in two separate accidents. (A)

1945

A Supermarine Spitfire (PL400) allocated to 2 Squadron was written-off during a forced landing. (A)

1960

A North American Harvard Mk IIA (7305) crashed when it hit high tension cables at low-level. (A)

1976

The last Merlin IVA was delivered to the South African Air Force, serial 15.

1982

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 69 at Ysterplaat.

1990

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 172 at Rand Airport (see 05/04).

1991

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 192 at Mykonos.

2001

The South African Air Force’s newly acquired Boeing B-737-BBJ (ZS-RSA) made its maiden-flight in the United States of America.

[Spice]

07 April

1941

A Fairy Battle (906), whilst conducting a mission, crashed into a mountain during bad weather, there were fatalities. (A)

1943

5 Squadron reported the loss of a Curtiss P40D Kittyhawk (AK667) suffered an engine failure after take-off. (A)

1944

12 Squadron reported a ground accident (explosion) that destroyed three of the unit’s aircraft. The serial numbers FB451, FB452 and FB481. Tragically eight members of the unit also suffered fatal injuries related to the accident. (A)

Three Supermarine Spitfires were written-off due to accidents:
• 3 Squadron: Mk VC (EF631) due to engine failure. (A)
• 4 Squadron: Mk VC (JG752) was shot down by a Bf-109, the pilot was fatally wounded. (C/L)
• 4 Squadron MkVC (JL169), shot down by Luftwaffe Bf-109 and made a crash landing at Biferno. (C/L)

1994

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 276 at Ellisras.

2007

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating PC-7 Mk II) conducted show number 511 and 512 at the Maputo International Airshow (Mozambique).

[Spice]

08 April

1918

Information Note: Douglas J. Bell, a South African serving in the Royal Flying Corps Force, shot-down a German ‘balloon’, whilst flying a Sopwith Camel. This was his 15th confirmed kill.
1943

The following aircraft losses were reported:
• Two Hawker Hart (429 and 475), were involved in an accident, reported as a mid-air collision. (A)
• Two Curtiss P40D Warhawk aircraft belonging to 4 Squadron were lost due to hostile actions; ET-974 was shot down by a Bf-109 and EK-747 was hit by Anti-Aircraft Artillery. The latter made a crash-landing at its home base. (C/L)

1945

22 Squadron (based at Gibraltar) received a new ‘Link Trainer ’.

1983

During Operation RHUBYN a number of Puma and Alouette III (gunships) deployed to Xangongo (Southern Angola), in support of ground operations in the area.

1992

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 229 at Langebaanweg.

1994

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 277 at Ellisras.

1995

The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Team (operating Impala Mk 1) conducted show number 317 & 318 at Durban – SAAF-75.