This is a subscription only section
Want to read more? It's only €10/year.
No account yet? Just Create an account first and head to the shop
This is a subscription only section
Want to read more? It's only €10/year.
‘Silver Falcons’ in formation flight along the coast in October 1991.
Ben J. Ullings
‘Smoke on’ for the Harvard Aerobatic Team.
October 1991, Ben J. Ullings
| Baragwanath (FASY) | ||||
RWY 13/31 POS 26°20'57"S 027°46'47"E ELEV 5423 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
SAAF (4) |
28 'City of Johannesburg' Auxiliary Sq |
1948 - Jan 1951 | Harvard |
redesignated 3 (Active Citizen Force) Fighter Sq |
3 (Active Citizen Force) Fighter Sq |
Jan 1951 - Nov 1951 | Harvard (->Mar51) |
disbanded |
|
| 3 (Active Citizen Force) Fighter Sq |
July 1952 - 1959 | Harvard |
disbanded |
|
SAAF (5) |
104 Air Commando |
24 Sep 1963 - 1 Oct 1968 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 104 Commando Sq |
104 Commando Sq |
1 Oct 1968 - 1970 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
relocated to Swartkop |
|
| Bethal (FABH) | ||||
RWY 08/26, 16/34 (dirt) POS 25°39'31"S 030°02'30"E ELEV 6250 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (5) |
101 Air Commando |
24 Sep 1963 - 1 Oct 1968 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 101 Commando Sq |
101 Commando Sq |
1 Oct 1968 - 1975 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
relocated to Hoedspruit |
|
| Bloemfontein (FABL) Bloemspruit AFB | ||||
RWY 02/20, 12/30 POS 29°05'36"S 026°18'16"E ELEV 4458ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (4) |
24sq |
Apr 1946 - 1 Jan 1951 | PV-1 Ventura Harvard (48->) |
disbanded |
| 60sq |
1948 - Nov 1950 | PV-1 Ventura |
disbanded |
|
8sq |
1 Jan 1951 - 1 Apr 1999 | Harvard MB326M (73->) MB326K (Nov74->) |
relocated to Hoedspruit |
|
| SAAF (5) |
17sq B-Flight |
1962 - 1971 | Alouette III |
amalgamated in to 16sq at Ysterplaat |
106 Air Commando |
24 Sep 1963 - 1 Oct 1968 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 106 Commando Sq |
|
Multi Engine Conversion Unit |
July 1968 - 1 Jan 1973 | C-47 (timeline) |
redesignated 86 Advanced Flying School |
|
106 Commando Sq |
1 Oct 1968 - 1995 ? | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 106sq |
|
15sq B-Flight |
19 Feb 1969 - 1980 | Alouette III |
relocated to Durban |
|
16sq |
1972 - 1973 | Alouette III (timeline) |
split up in two flights at PE and Ysterplaat |
|
| 86 Advanced Flying School |
1 Jan 1973 - 198. ? | C-47 (timeline) |
redesignated 86 Multi Engined Flying School |
|
87 Advanced Flying School |
1 Jan 1978 - 1987 | Alouette III (timeline) |
redesignated 87 Helicopter Flying School |
|
SAAF (6) |
86 Multi Engined Flying School |
198. ? - 31 Dec 1997 | C-47 C-47TP C212-200 (95->) C212-300 (95->) CN235M-10 (95->) |
amalgamated in to 44sq |
87 Helicopter Flying School |
1987 - present | Alouette III TP-1 Oryx BK117A (on loan) A109LUH |
||
| 106sq |
1995 ? - present | privately owned civilian aircraft |
||
16sq |
28 Oct 1999 - present | Rooivalk |
||
SE3160 Alouette III 46 of 87 AFS in October 1975.
K. Zaayman
MB326K Impala II 1077 8 sqn in July 1981.
Pieter Vorster
Sole CN235M-10 8026 carries the badge of the 86 MEFS on the tail and nose.
October 1996, Ben Pierik
| Cape Town/Intl (FACT) | ||||
RWY 01/19, 16/34 POS 33°58'17"S 018°36'16"E ELEV 151 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (4) |
17sq |
1 June 1947 - 1955 | PV-1 Ventura Harvard |
disbanded |
35sq |
27 Sep 1957 - 2003 | PV-1 Ventura (->60) Shackleton MR3 (->Nov84) C-47 (84-94) C-47TP (Sep94->) |
relocated to Ysterplaat |
|
| SAAF (5) |
27sq |
1969 - Oct 1990 | P166S (timeline) |
disbanded |
7sq |
1978 - Mar 1985 | MB326M (timeline) |
relocated to Langebaanweg |
|
| SAAF (6) |
88 Maritime Operational Training School |
Nov 1985 - 31 Dec 1990 | a/c on loan |
disbanded |
35sq - Transport Flight |
1990 - 1998 | C-47 (->91) Beech 200C (->95) C-47TP (91->) |
amalgamated in to 35 sqn |
|
80 Air Navigation School |
Jan 1991 - Jan 2003 | a/c on loan |
relocated to Ysterplaat |
|
Shackleton MR3 of 35sq 1721 in 1984.
collection Dick Lohuis
Piaggio P166S Albatros 896 of 27 sqn in September 1985.
collection Dick Lohuis
C-47A 6873 of 35 sqn almost ready to start its engines.
October 1991, Ben J. Ullings
| Cape Town/Youngsfield (--) | ||||
RWY : grass POS 34°00'00"S 018°28'60"E ELEV 3372 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (5) |
7sq |
1 Aug 1961 - 1969 | Harvard |
relocated to Ysterplaat |
| Chinhae (RKPE) K-10 | ||||
RWY 18/36 POS 35°08'28"N 128°41'45"E ELEV 8 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (4) |
2sq |
4 Jan 1951 - 27 Dec 1952 | F-51D |
relocated to Osan K-55 |
| Dunnottar (FADR) | ||||
RWY 07L/25R, 07R/25L, 18L/36R, 18R/36L (grass) POS 26°21'15"S 028°28'00"E ELEV 5241 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
SAAF (3) |
Central Flying School |
1946 - Feb 1968 | Tiger Moth Harvard (timeline) Oxford |
redesignated Flying Training School Dunnotar |
| SAAF (4) |
Harvard Aerobatic Team |
1949 - 1959 | Harvard (timeline) |
disbanded |
| 40sq |
1965 - Aug 1982 | Harvard (timeline) |
relocated to Waterkloof |
|
| SAAF (5) |
Flying Training School Dunnotar |
Feb 1968 - Jan 1977 | Harvard (timeline) |
redesignated Central Flying School |
Central Flying School |
Jan 1977 - Dec 1991 | Harvard (timeline) |
relocated to Langebaanweg |
|
| SAAF (6) |
Harvard Aerobatic Team |
1985 - Dec 1991 | Harvard (timeline) |
relocated to Langebaanweg |
| Durban (FADN) | ||||
RWY 06/24, 18/36 POS 29°58'11"S 030°57'06"E ELEV 25 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (4) |
35sq |
1950 - 27 Sep 1957 | Harvard (->51) PV-1 Ventura (timeline) |
relocated to Cape Town |
5sq |
Dec 1950 - 1988 | Harvard (->73) MB326M (July73->) MB326K (81->) |
relocated to Louis Trichardt |
|
| SAAF (5) |
105 Air Commando |
24 Sep 1963 - 1 Oct 1968 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 105 Commando Sq |
105 Commando Sq |
1 Oct 1968 - 1995 ? | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 105sq |
|
| 16sq |
1969 - 1972 | Alouette III (timeline) |
relocated to Bloemfontein |
|
| 15sq A+B-Flight |
1980 - present | SA321L (->91) Alouette III SA330H (91-94) TP-1 Oryx (94->) BK117A (94->) A109LUH |
||
| SAAF (6) |
19sq B-Flight |
? - ? | SA330H (timeline) |
disbanded |
| 105sq |
1995 ? - present | privately owned civilian aircraft |
||
MB326M Impala I 541 (front) & 496 of 5 sqn on 2 September 1977.
collection Dick Lohuis
| Durban/Congella (--) | ||||
RWY : water POS 29°52'15"S 031°00'36"E ELEV 0 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (3) |
35sqn |
2 Feb 1945 - 27 Sep 1957 | Catalina Sunderland GR5 (Apr45->) |
relocated to Cape Town |
| Durban/Stamford Hill (--) HMS Kongoni | ||||
RWY : grass POS 29°49'45"S 031°01'49"E ELEV 13 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (3) |
35sqn |
Feb 1945 - 1950 | Harvard Spitfire Oxford PV-1 Ventura |
relocated to Durban |
| Grand Central (FAGC) | ||||
RWY 17/35 POS 25°59'13"S 028°08'26"E ELEV 5325 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (5) |
41sq |
Jan 1963 - May 1973 | Auster (->68) Ce 185 (?->) |
relocated to Swartkop |
| Hoedspruit AFB (FAHS) | ||||
RWY 09/27, 18/36 POS 24°21'18"S 031°03'00"E ELEV 1640 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (5) |
101 Commando Sq |
1975 - 1995 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 101sq |
2sq |
Dec 1978 - Jan 1993 | Mirage 3CZ (->Oct90) Mirage 3EZ Mirage 3BZ Mirage 3B-2Z Mirage 3RZ Mirage 3R-2Z Cheetah C (?->) Cheetah D(2) (?->) |
relocated to Louis Trichardt |
|
1sq |
14 Jan 1981 - 25 Nov 1997 | Mirage F1AZ (timeline) |
disbanded |
|
| SAAF (6) |
31sq |
4 Jan 1982 - 4 Dec 1992 | Alouette III SA330H (->Feb91) TP-1 Oryx (12Feb91->) |
disbanded |
85 Combat Flying School |
29 Nov 1992 - Jan 2005 | MB326M (timeline) MB326K (timeline) |
relocated to Makhado |
|
Silver Falcons |
29 Nov 1992 - Sep 1997 | MB326M (timeline) |
disbanded |
|
| 101sq |
1995 - present | privately owned civilian aircraft |
||
8sq |
1 Apr 1999 - 31 Mar 2001 | MB326M (timeline) MB326K (timeline) |
disbanded |
|
SAAF (7) |
1 Jan 2004 - present |
1 Jan 2004 - present | TP-1 Oryx A109LUH |
|
In the last years of their service a couple Mirages were painted in a grey camo like this Mirage 3RZ 837 in October 1990.
John McBride
Mirage F1AZ 218 of 1sq in September 1994.
John McBride
Impala II 1080 of 85 CFS in October 1996.
Ben Pierik
| Kimberley (FAKM) | ||||
RWY 02/20, 10/28 POS 28°48'17"S 024°45'50"E ELEV 3950 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (5) |
107 Air Commando |
24 Sep 1963 - 1 Oct 1968 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 107 Commando Sq |
107 Commando Sq |
1 Oct 1968 - 1995 ? | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 107sq | |
| SAAF (6) |
107sq |
1995 ? - present | privately owned civilian aircraft |
|
| Langebaanweg AFB (FALW) | ||||
RWY 02L/20R, 02R/20L, 07/25, 16/34 POS 32°57'59"S 018°09'36"E ELEV 0 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (4) |
Bombing, Gunnery & Navigation School |
1946 - 195. ? | Anson Harvard (timeline) PV-1 Ventura Spitfire IXe (48->) |
redesignated Air Operations School |
| Bumbling Bees |
1946 - 1958 | Harvard Vampire FB52 (53->) |
disbanded |
|
| Air Operations School |
195. ? - Oct 1967 | Harvard Spitfire IXe Vampire T11 (Oct52->) Vampire FB52 Vampire T55 |
relocated to Pietersburg |
|
| Air Navigation School |
Oct 1952 ? - Jan 1953 | Harvard |
relocated to Ysterplaat |
|
| 17sq |
1 Dec 1957 - July 1961 | S-51 (timeline) S-55C HAS22 (timeline) Alouette II (Dec60->) |
relocated to Ysterplaat |
|
| SAAF (5) |
Bumbling Bees |
1966 - 1967 | MB326M (timeline) |
renamed Silver Falcons |
| Silver Falcons |
24 Nov 1967 - 29 Nov 1992 | MB326M (timeline) |
relocated to Hoedspruit |
|
| Flying Training School |
Feb 1968 - 6 Feb 1984 | MB326M (timeline) |
redesignated 83 Jet Flying School |
|
| SAAF (6) |
Air Navigation School |
1 Jan 1982 - Dec 1990 | a/c on loan |
relocated to Ysterplaat |
83 Jet Flying School |
6 Feb 1984 - Dec 1992 | MB326M (timeline) |
disbanded |
|
7sq |
Mar 1985 - Dec 1992 | MB326M (timeline) MB326K |
disbanded |
|
Central Flying School |
Dec 1991 - present | Harvard (->95) PC-7 (95-98) PC-7 Mk.II (July94->) |
||
| Harvard Aerobatic Team |
Dec 1991 - 1995 | Harvard (timeline) |
disbanded |
|
Silver Falcons |
1998 - present | PC-7 Mk.II |
||
MB326K 601 of 7sq in April 1992.
John McBride
MB326M 506 of 83 JFS in July 1994.
Ben J. Ullings
Three former Bophuthatswana PC-7s,retaining their serial, were in use from April 1994 till 1998.
March 1995, collection Dick Lohuis
| Lanseria (FALA) | ||||
RWY 07/25 POS 25°56'23"S 027°55'32"E ELEV 4521 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (5) |
41sq |
1976 - 1985 | C-4M (timeline) |
reloctaed to Swartkop |
4sq |
1979 - Sep 1991 | MB326M (timeline) |
disbanded |
|
Atlas C-4M Kudu 968 of 41sq in August 1984.
collection Dick Lohuis
Impala I 505 of 4sq in January 1992.
Ben J. Ullings
| Lossiemouth (EGQS) RAF | ||||
RWY 05/23, 10/28 POS 57°42'18"N 003°20'21"W ELEV 40 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (5) |
24sq |
May 1965 - Nov 1965 | Buccaneer S50 |
relocted to Waterkloof |
| Makhado AFB (FALM) | ||||
RWY 10/28 POS 23°09'36"S 029°42'06"E ELEV 3025 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (6) |
5sq |
1988 - 1992 | Cheetah E |
disbanded |
| 19sq A-Flight |
1 Jan 1991 - 1 Jan 2004 | TP-1 Oryx (timeline) Alouette III (Jan92-?) |
relocated to Hoedspruit |
|
| 2sq |
Jan 1993 - present | Cheetah C (->2Apr08) Cheetah D(2) JAS39D (Apr08->) JAS39C (11Feb10->) |
||
102sq |
1 Mar 1993 - present | privately owned civilian aircraft |
||
| SAAF (7) |
85 Combat Flying School |
Jan 2005 - present | MB326M (->06) MB326K (->06) Hawk Mk120 (06->) |
|
| Makhado AFB was previously known as Louis Trichardt. | ||||
Cheetah E 842 of 5sq in October 1992.
collection Dick Lohuis
| Mosselbay (FAMO) | ||||
RWY 10/28 POS 34°09'25"S 022°03'41"E ELEV 526 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (5) |
109 Air Commando |
24 Sep 1963 - 1 Oct 1968 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 109 Commando Sq |
109 Commando Sq |
1 Oct 1968 - 31 Mar 19..? | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 109sq |
|
| SAAF (6) |
109sq |
19.. ? - 31 Mar 1993 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
disbanded |
| Osan (RKSO) K-55 | ||||
RWY 09/27 POS 37°05'26"N 127°01'47"E ELEV 38 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
USAF/18 FBW |
2sq |
Dec 1952 - Oct 1953 | F-86F-30 (27Jan53-11Oct53) |
returned to South Africa |
| Base was known then as K-55 | ||||
F-86F-30 603 of 2sq at Tsuiki, Japan in 1953
USAF
| Overberg (FAOB) | ||||
RWY 10/28, 17/35 POS 34°33'30"S 020°15'00"E ELEV 164 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (6) |
Test Flight & Development Centre |
1987 - present | various a/c |
|
| Overberg AFB was previously known as Bredasdorp. | ||||
BN-2A-26 17 of TFDC is a former Ciskei Defence Force aircraft which was taken on charge after the reincorporation of 27 April 1994.
August 2002, collection Dick Lohuis
| Pietersburg (FAPB) | ||||
RWY 01/19, 05/23 POS 23°50'59"S 029°27'23"E ELEV 4076 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (5) |
1sqn |
1967 - 1975 | MB326M (->Apr75) |
relocated to Waterkloof |
| Air Operations School |
Oct 1967 - ? | Vampire T11 (->70) Vampire FB52 (->70) Vampire T55 (->70) MB326M (70->) |
redesignated Advanced Flying School |
|
Advanced Flying School |
? - 1 Aug 1972 | MB326M (timeline) |
redesignated 85 Advanced Flying School |
|
85 Advanced Flying School |
1 Aug 1972 - 30 Oct 1974 | MB326M (timeline) Mirage 3BZ (73->) |
splitted up in flights |
|
| 85 AFS |
30 Oct 1974 - 1982 | MB326M (timeline) |
redesignated 85 Combat Flyng School |
|
| 85 AFS - Mirage Flight |
30 Oct 1974 - 1982 | Mirgae 3BZ (timeline) Mirgae 3DZ (timeline) Mirgae 3D-2Z (timeline) Mirgae 3EZ (Apr75->) |
||
| 85 AFS - Sabre Flight |
Jan 1976 - Feb 1980 | CL-13B Mk6 (timeline) |
disbanded |
|
| SAAF (6) |
85 Combat Flying School |
1982 - 29 Nov 1992 | MB326M (timeline) MB326K (? - >) |
relocated to Hoedspruit |
| 85 CFS - Mirage Flight |
1982 - 1 July 1986 | Mirgae 3BZ (timeline) Mirgae 3DZ (->85) Mirgae 3D-2Z (timeline) Mirgae 3EZ (timeline) |
formed 89 Combat Flying School |
|
102 Commando Sq |
1986 - 1 Mar 1993 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
relocated to Makhado |
|
89 Combat Flying School |
1 July 1986 - 29 Nov 1992 | Cheetah B Cheetah D(2) |
disbanded |
|
CL-13B Sabre 6 350 of 85 AFS in November 1977.
K. Zaayman
Cheetah D2 847 of 89 CFS at the flightline at Pietersburg in October 1992.
collection Dick Lohuis
| Port Elizabeth (FAPE) | ||||
RWY 08/26, 17/35 POS 33°59'24"S 025°36'37"E ELEV 226 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (4) |
6sqn |
5 July 1952 - 1959 | Harvard |
disbanded |
| SAAF (5) |
6sqn |
May 1961 - Oct 1990 | Harvard Ce185 (73-76) MB326M (Mar75->) |
disbanded |
| 108 Air Commando |
24 Sep 1963 - 1 Oct 1968 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 108 Commando Sq |
|
108 Commando Sq |
1 Oct 1968 - 1995 ? | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 108sq |
|
16sq A-Flight |
1973 - 1980 | Alouette III (timeline) |
16sq B-Flight moved in |
|
| 16sq |
1980 - Oct 1990 | Alouette III (timeline) SA330H (86->) |
disbanded |
|
| SAAF (6) |
15sq C-Flight |
1994 ? - current | BK117A A109LUH |
|
| 108sq |
1995 ? - present | privately owned civilian aircraft |
||
Harvard Mk.IIA 7156 of 6sq.
unknown
MB326M 605 of 6sq in June 1981.
collection Dick Lohuis
| Potschefstroom (FAPS) | ||||
RWY 03/21, 15/33 (grass) POS 26°40'06"S 027°05'03"E ELEV 4520 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (4) |
42sq |
195. ? - Dec 1992 | Auster AOP6/9 (->May62) Ce185A/D/E (May62 ->) AM3C (74-92) C-4M (7.?-91) |
relocated to Swartkop |
| SAAF (5) |
103 Air Commando |
24 Sep 1963 - 1 Oct 1968 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 103 Commando Sq |
103 Commando Sq |
1 Oct 1968 - 1992 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
relocated to Swartkop |
|
11sq |
Jan 1974 - 1991 | Ce185A/D/E (timeline) |
disbanded |
|
| 84 Advanced Flying School |
30 Aug 1981 - May 1982 | Ce185A/D/E (timeline) |
redesignated 84 Light Aircraft Flight School |
|
| SAAF (6) |
84 Light Aircraft Flight School |
May 1982 - 31 Dec 1991 | Ce185A/D/E (timeline) |
disbanded |
| Spikes |
1992 | AM3C |
disbanded |
|
AM3C 931 of 42sq in the original grey c/s.
unknown
Bosbok 943 of the Spikes demo-team, which was formed in the last months of the type existence in the SAAF late 1992.
collection Dick Lohuis
| Pusan/East (RKPP) K-9 | ||||
RWY 14/32 POS 35°10'15"N 129°07'50"E ELEV 9 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| USAF/18 FBW |
2sq |
16 Nov 1950 - 19 Nov 1950 | F-51D |
relocated to Pyongyang (K-24) |
| Pyongyang (ZKPY) K-24 | ||||
RWY 01/19, 17/35 POS 39°13'16"N 125°40'13"E ELEV 102 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| USAF/18 FBW |
2sq |
19 Nov 1950 - 4 Dec 1950 | F-51D |
relocated to Suwon |
| Base was known then as K-24 | ||||
| Rand (FAGM) Johannesburg | ||||
RWY 11/29, 17/35 POS 26°14'31"S 028°09'05"E ELEV 5483 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (4) |
40sq |
1953 - 1965 | Harvard |
relocated to Dunnotar |
| Suwon (RKSW) K-13 | ||||
RWY 15L/33R, 15R/33L POS 37°14'22"N 127°00'25"E ELEV 88 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| USAF/18 FBW |
2sq |
4 Dec 1950 - 4 Jan 1951 | F-51D |
relocated to Chinae |
| Swartkop AFB (FASK) | ||||
RWY 02/20, 06/24 (grass) POS 25°48'29"S 028°09'50"E ELEV 4794ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (3) |
28sq |
Sep 1945 - Jan 1963 | C-47 (timeline) Anson T1 (->47) DH89 Rapide York (->52) DH104 Mk5 (49-65) DH114 2B (55-62) Viscount 781D (58->) |
relocated to Waterkloof |
| 1sq |
1946 - June 1947 | Harvard |
relocated to Waterkloof |
|
| 21sq |
1946 - 1 jan 1951 | PV-1 Ventura |
redesignated 25 sqn |
|
| SAAF (4) |
25sq |
Jan 1951 - Nov 1953 | C-47 (timeline) |
renumbered 44 sqn |
| 44sq |
Nov 1953 - 1956 | C-47 (timeline) |
relocated to Waterkloof |
|
| SAAF (5) |
4sq |
1 Nov 1961 - 197. ? | Harvard MB326M (Aug72->) |
relocated to Waterkloof |
| 17sq A-Flight |
1962 - 1 Feb 1968 | Alouette III |
||
44sq |
1963 - 1992 | C-47 (timeline) DC-4-1009 (66->) C-54A Viscount 781D (Oct83-91) |
relocated to Waterkloof |
|
| 15sq A-Flight |
June 1967 - 1980 | SA321L |
redeisgnated 30sq & reloacted to Ysterplaat |
|
| 44sq - Multi-engine Conversion Flight |
1967 - 1 Feb 1968 | C-47 (timeline) |
redesignated Multi Engine Conversion Unit |
|
| Multi Engine Conversion Unit |
1 Feb 1968 - July 1968 | C-47 (timeline) |
relocated to Bloemspruit |
|
21sqn |
Feb 1968 - 1981 | Viscount 781D (timeline) C-47 BAe125-400B (70->) SA226 IV (7.?->) |
relocated to Waterkloof |
|
17sqn |
1 Feb 1968 - present | Alouette III SA330H (92-97) TP-1 Oryx (94->) SA365N (94-?) A109LUH |
||
| 102 Commando Sq |
1 Oct 1968 - 1986 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
relocated to Pietersburg |
|
| 19sq A-Flight |
1 Mar 1970 - 1 Jan 1991 | SA330H (->?) TP-1 Oryx (88->) |
relocated to Louis Trichardt |
|
| 104 Commando Sq |
1970 - 1995 ? | privately owned civilian aircraft |
relocated to Waterkloof |
|
| 41sq |
May 1973 - 1976 | Ce185A/D/E (->Feb74) AM3C (Feb74-76) C-4M (July76->) |
relocated to Lanseria |
|
| SAAF (6) |
111 Commando Sq |
1 Jan 1983- 1 Jan 1999 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
relocated to Waterkloof |
| 41sq |
1985 - Jan 1991 | C-4M (->88) Ce208 (88->) |
relocated to Waterkloof |
|
| 103sq |
1992 - 31 Mar 1993 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
disbanded |
|
42sq |
Dec 1992 - 2000 | Ce185A/D/E (timeline) PC-6/B2-H4 (94-98) |
relocated to Waterkloof |
|
| SAAF (7) |
104sq |
Aug 2018 - present | privately owned civilian aircraft |
|
SA226 IV 12 on 12 December 1976.
K. Zaayman
SA321L Super Frelon 303 of 15sq.
K. Zaayman
DC-4-1009 6905 of 44sq.
K. Zaayman
Viscount 791D 150 was the sole example in use and was re-serialed ZS-LPR in August 1984.
February 1980, unknown
C-47A 6864 in January 1991.
collection Dick Lohuis
PC-6/B2-H4 2070 of 42sq was former Bophuthatswana T-320.
March 1995, collection Dick Lohuis
SA365N-1 ZS-HVI of 17sq in July 1996.
collection Dick Lohuis
SA330H Puma 160 of 17sq in October 1996.
Ben Pierik
Three Cessna 185s were painted in the red/white c/s like this Ce185A 731.
October 1996, Ben Pierik
| Waterkloof AFB (FAWK) | ||||
RWY 01/19 POS 25°49'45"S 028°13'22"E ELEV 4921 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (4) |
1sq |
June 1947 - 1967 | Spitfire IXe (->50) Vampire FB52 (50-Sep56) CL-13B Mk6 (Sep56->) |
relocated to Pietersburg |
| 2sq |
Dec 1948 - Sep 1950 | Spitfire IXe (timeline) |
relocated to Pusan East (K9) for UN ops in Korea |
|
| 4sq |
Jan 1951 - Oct 1958 | Harvard Spitfire IXe |
disbanded |
|
| 2sq |
1954 - 1978 | Vampire FB52 CL-13B Mk6 (56-63) Mirage 3CZ (Apr63->) Mirage 3EZ (63->) Mirage 3BZ (Nov64->) Mirage 3RZ (June74->) |
relocated to Hoedspruit |
|
| 44sq |
1956 - 1963 | C-47 (timeline) |
relocated to Swartkop |
|
| SAAF (5) |
12sq |
1963 - Nov 1990 | Canberra B(I) Mk12 (timeline) Canberra T4 (timeline) |
disbanded |
28sq |
Jan 1963 - present | Viscount 781D (->Feb68) C-130B(Z) C-160Z (Jan70-93) C-130F (96-?) |
||
24sq |
Oct 1965 - Mar 1991 | Buccaneer S50 (timeline) MB326M |
disbanded |
|
3sq |
Aug 1966 - 30 Sep 1992 | Mirage 3EZ (->Apr75) Mirage 3DZ (70-Apr75) Mirage F1CZ (Apr75->) |
disbanded |
|
| 4sq |
197. ? - 1979 | MB326M (timeline) |
relocated to Lanseria |
|
| 1sq |
1975 - 14 Jan 1981 | MB326M (->76) Mirage F1AZ (76->) |
relocated to Hoedspruit |
|
| Test Flight & Development Centre |
10 Aug 1975 - 1987 | various a/c |
relocated to Overberg |
|
21sq |
1981 - present | Viscount 781D (->83) BAe125-400B (->999) SA226 IV (->85) Beech 200C Falcon 50 (82->) Ce550 (83->) Ce551 (83->) Falcon 900A (92->) B737-7ED (Jan03->) |
||
| SAAF (6) |
40sq |
Aug 1982 - 29 Apr 1985 | MB326M (timeline) |
disbanded |
60sq |
16 July 1986 - Nov 2007 | B707-328C B707-344C |
disbanded (not officially) |
|
| 41sq |
Jan 1991 - present | Ce208 Beech 200 (94->) Beech 300 (94 ->) PC-12 (97->) |
||
| 44sq |
1992 - Feb 2000 | DC-4-1009 (->94) C-47TP (->98) C-54A (->98) C212-200 (98->) C212-300 (98->) CN235M-10 (98 ->) |
split up into two flights |
|
| 104sq |
1995 ? - Aug 2018 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
relocated to Swartkop |
|
| 111sq |
1 Jan 1999 - present | privately owned civilian aircraft |
||
| 44sq A-Flight |
Feb 2000 - present | C212-200 C212-300 CN235M-10 (->12) |
||
| 44sq B-Flight |
Feb 2000 - 20. . ? | Ce185A/D/E |
disbanded |
|
| 42sq |
2000 - 2000 | Ce185A/D/E |
disbanded |
|
Canberra B(I)Mk12 452 of 12 sqn at 31 May 1971. It was lost after possible shot down on 17 March 1979 near Cahama in Angola.
K. Zaayman
C-160Z 331 flying by with ramp open in September 1975.
K. Zaayman
Buccaneer S50 413 was written off on 27 July 1982 after brake failure and therefor collided with a row of Impalas at Pietersburg.
K. Zaayman
Mirage 3CZ 810 of 2sq ‘Flying Cheetahs’.
Pieter Vorster
BAe125-400B Mercurius 07 in July 1981. A said day in the history of the SAAF is 26 May 1971 when three BAe125s of 21sq crashed at Devils Peak while rehearsing for the upcoming 10th anniversary Republic Day celebrations on 31 May.
Pieter Vorster
MB326M Impala I 467 of 40 sqn.
collection Dick Lohuis
Mirage FCZ 210 of 3sq being refueled and looked after between flights in August 1988.
Pieter Vorster
B707-328C 1419 of 60sq in July 1995.
collection Dick Lohuis
C-47TP 6875 of 44sq in September 1995.
collection Dick Lohuis
| Wonderboom (FAWB) Pretoria | ||||
RWY 06/24, 11/29 POS 25°39'19"S 028°13'17"E ELEV 4095 ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (5) |
102 Air Commando |
24 Sep 1963 - 1 Oct 1968 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
relocated to Swartkop |
| Ysterplaat AFB (FAYP) | ||||
RWY 02/20 POS 33°54'04"S 018°29'51"E ELEV 51ft | ||||
| Force | Squadron | Timeline | Aircraft Type(s) | Fate |
| SAAF (4) |
27sq |
Jan 1951 - 1958 | PV-1 Ventura (timeline) |
disbanded |
| 7sqn |
Aug 1951 - 1959 | Harvard |
disbanded |
|
| Air Navigation School |
Jan 1953 - 1 Jan 1982 | a/c on loan |
relocated to Langebaanweg |
|
| SAAF (5) |
17sq C-Flight |
July 1961 - 1 Feb 1968 | S-51 (->64) S-55C HAS22 (->67) Alouette II Alouette III (62->) |
formed 16sq |
| 17sq Training Flight |
1961 - 9 Apr 1968 | Alouette II Alouette III (62->) |
formed Helicopter Conversion Unit |
|
27sq |
Oct 1962 - 1969 | C-47 (timeline) |
relocated to Cape Town |
|
110 Air Commando |
24 Sep 1963 - 1 Oct 1968 | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 110 Commando Sq | |
| 22 Flight |
Jan 1964 - May 1976 | Wasp HAS1 (timeline) |
redesignated 22sq |
|
| 16sq |
1 Feb 1968 - 1969 | Alouette III (timeline) |
relocated to Durban |
|
| Helicopter Conversion Unit |
1 Feb 1968 - Jan 1973 | Alouette II (timeline) Alouette III (timeline) |
redesignated 87 Advanced Flying School |
|
| Maritime Operational Training Unit |
1 Feb 1968 - 7 May 1976 | a/c on loan |
redesignated 88 Advanced Flying School |
|
25sq |
Feb 1968 - Oct 1990 | C-47 (timeline) |
disbanded |
|
110 Commando Sq |
1 Oct 1968 - 1995 ? | privately owned civilian aircraft |
redesignated 110sq |
|
| 7sq |
1969 - 1978 | Harvard MB326M (77->) |
relocated to Cape Town |
|
| 87 Advanced Flying School |
Jan 1973 - 1 Jan 1978 | Alouette III (timeline) |
relocated to Bloemspruit |
|
| 16sq B-Flight |
1973 - 1980 | Alouette III (timeline) |
joined A-Flight at PE |
|
| 88 Advanced Flying School |
7 May 1976 - ? | a/c on loan |
redesignated 88 Maritime Operational Training School |
|
22sq |
May 1976 - present | Wasp HAS1 (->90) Alouette III (78-?) SA330H (91-94) TP-1 Oryx (94->) Lynx 300 (07->) |
||
30sq |
8 Dec 1980 - 31 Dec 1991 | SA321L (->Jan86) SA330H (timeline) SA330J |
amalgamated in to 22sq |
|
| 88 Maritime Operational Training School |
? - Nov 1985 | a/c on loan |
relocated to Cape Town |
|
| SAAF (6) |
110sq |
1995 ? - present | privately owned civilian aircraft |
|
| SAAF (7) |
35sq |
2003 - present | C-47TP |
|
| 80 Air Navigation School |
2003 - present | a/c on loan |
||
Wasp HAS1 85, still with old ‘Vloot’ titles, in October 1975.
K. Zaayman
C-47A 6877 of 25sq was in use as a target tower.
K. Zaayman
SA316B Alouette III 614 of 22sq in August 1997.
John McBride
As a member you get access to all our
premium content and benefits learn more