1.
MBB/Kawasaki BK 117
–
The MBB/Kawasaki BK117 is a twin-engined medium utility–transport helicopter. It was a joint development between Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm of Germany and Kawasaki of Japan, MBB was later purchased by Daimler-Benz and eventually became a part of Eurocopter. The BK117 is popular for passenger and VIP-transport, seating from seven up to 10 people and it is also used for aerial crane and sling work, law enforcement, and military transport, and is exceptional as an air ambulance and search and rescue platform. Its successor, the EC145, was developed from the BK117 C-1 version, the BK117 was a joint development between MBB and Kawasaki based on an agreement made on 25 February 1977. The agreement would replace two separate projects for twin-engined general purpose helicopters, the Bo 107 by MBB and the KH-7 from Kawasaki, each company would have its own assembly line producing aircraft for local markets. Each company was to two prototypes to be completed by 1979, one for flight testing and the others for tie down testing. MBBs flying prototype made its first flight at Ottobrunn on 13 June 1979, development was slower than expected, a problem made worse by shortages of skilled manpower available at MBB. A single BK117 A-3 was leased by the Canadian Forces Air Command for a test program, when the program was over, the aircraft was returned to MBB Canada. In total,443 BK117s were made,329 by MBB at Donauworth,111 by Kawasaki in Japan, the BK117 C-2 is actually the brand name for the EC145 for the Australasian market, and as such is an EC145, not a BK117. BK117 P-2 German prototype, first flown 13 June 1979, now exhibited at the Bückeburg helicopter museum, Bückeburg, Germany. Now preserved on top of the DRF-Headquarters at Stuttgart Airport, BK117 P-3/P-5 Japanese prototype, first flown 10 August 1979. Now exhibited at Kakamigahara Aerospace Museum, Kakamigahara/Gifu, Japan BK117 A-1 Powered by two Lycoming LTS 101-650B-1 engines. When the program was over, the aircraft was returned to MBB Canada BK117 A-4 Introduced in July 1986, German aircraft have provision for extra internal fuel, giving enhanced performance. BK117 A-3M Military version introduced in 1986, the A-3M is fitted with taller skids and can carry 11 troops. A Browning 12.7 mm machine gun can be mounted under the fuselage in a Lucas turret with 450 rounds and controlled by a helmet-mounted sight. The A-3M also has outrigger pylons which can hold up to eight HOT II or TOW antitank missiles or a variety of missiles, rocket-pods. Provisions for a gunners position with a 12.7 mm gun can also be installed. BK117 B-1 Introduced in December 1987, the B-1 is fitted with LTS 101-750B-1 engines to provide increased performance, BK117 B-1C UK-certified version with reduced range and endurance
2.
South Africa
–
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. South Africa is the 25th-largest country in the world by land area and it is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere. About 80 percent of South Africans are of Sub-Saharan African ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different Bantu languages, the remaining population consists of Africas largest communities of European, Asian, and multiracial ancestry. South Africa is a multiethnic society encompassing a variety of cultures, languages. Its pluralistic makeup is reflected in the recognition of 11 official languages. The country is one of the few in Africa never to have had a coup détat, however, the vast majority of black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994. During the 20th century, the black majority sought to recover its rights from the dominant white minority, with this struggle playing a role in the countrys recent history. The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalising previous racial segregation, since 1994, all ethnic and linguistic groups have held political representation in the countrys democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces. South Africa is often referred to as the Rainbow Nation to describe the multicultural diversity. The World Bank classifies South Africa as an economy. Its economy is the second-largest in Africa, and the 34th-largest in the world, in terms of purchasing power parity, South Africa has the seventh-highest per capita income in Africa. However, poverty and inequality remain widespread, with about a quarter of the population unemployed, nevertheless, South Africa has been identified as a middle power in international affairs, and maintains significant regional influence. The name South Africa is derived from the geographic location at the southern tip of Africa. Upon formation the country was named the Union of South Africa in English, since 1961 the long form name in English has been the Republic of South Africa. In Dutch the country was named Republiek van Zuid-Afrika, replaced in 1983 by the Afrikaans Republiek van Suid-Afrika, since 1994 the Republic has had an official name in each of its 11 official languages. Mzansi, derived from the Xhosa noun umzantsi meaning south, is a name for South Africa. South Africa contains some of the oldest archaeological and human fossil sites in the world, extensive fossil remains have been recovered from a series of caves in Gauteng Province. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has termed the Cradle of Humankind
3.
South African Air Force
–
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920, the Air Force has seen service in World War II and the Korean War. From 1966 the SAAF was involved in providing support in a low intensity war in Angola, South-West Africa. On conclusion of the Border War in 1990, aircraft numbers were reduced due to economic pressures as well as the cessation of hostilities with neighboring states. Today the SAAF has an air combat capability and has been structured towards regional peace-keeping, disaster relief. After a visit to observe the 1912 military manoeuvres in Europe, beyers gave an extremely positive report on the future use of aircraft for military purposes to General Smuts. Flying training commenced in 1913 with students who excelled on the course being sent to the Central Flying School at Upavon in Great Britain for further training, the first South African military pilot qualified on 2 June 1914. At the outbreak of World War I, the Union Defence Force had realised the urgent need for air support which brought about the establishment of the South African Aviation Corps on 29 January 1915. Aircraft were purchased from France while the building of an airfield at Walvis Bay commenced in earnest in order to support operations against German forces in German South West Africa. By June 1915 the SAAC was deployed to its first operational airfield at Karibib in German South West Africa in support of Gen. Bothas South African ground forces. On 9 July 1915, the German forces capitulated and most of the pilots,26 Squadron RFC and later becoming an independent squadron on 8 October 1915. No.26 Squadron was equipped with Henri Farman F-27s and B. E. 2cs and was shipped to Kenya in support of the war effort in German East Africa, landing in Mombasa on 31 January 1916. While the SAAC were engaged in German South West Africa and 26 Sqdn RFC in East Africa, the number of South Africans in the RFC eventually reached approximately 3,000 men and suffered 260 active-duty fatalities over the Somme during the war. Forty six pilots became fighter aces, on conclusion of the First World War, the British Government donated surplus aircraft plus spares and sufficient equipment to provide the nucleus of a fledgling air force to each of its Dominions. In December 1920 the South African National insignia was added to aircraft for the first time and these colours remained until 1927 when they were replaced with the Orange, White and Blue roundels. 1 Squadron was called to fly reconnaissance missions and to bombard the strikers’ positions, the SAAF was again deployed to suppress the Bondelzwart Rebellion at Kalkfontein between 29 May and 3 July 1922. For maritime patrol operations, the SAAF took over all 29 passenger aircraft of South African Airways,18 Junkers Ju 86Z-ls for maritime patrols, SAAF maritime patrols commenced on 21 September 1939 with 16 Squadron flying three JU-86Zs from Walvis Bay. By 1940, the Ju 86s were replaced by Ansons and Coastal Command SAAF had been established, in December 1939 the Duke of Aosta had sent a report to Mussolini recording the state of chronic unpreparedness of the Allied Forces in East Africa
4.
Air Force Base Durban
–
AFB Durban is an airbase of the South African Air Force, located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa The runway is shared with the Durban International Airport. The airbase is at the end of the runway. As of August 2016 no replacement site has provided for 15 Squadron. As a helicopter unit it does not require an airfield with runways. Their primary role is maritime and landward search and rescue, two flights of Oryx are based in Durban and C Flight, consisting of four BK 117s is detached to Port Elizabeth. C Flights conversion to AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters has been postponed due to delays in developing emergency flotation equipment for the type,15 Squadron- Helicopters 508 Squadron 105 Squadron - Citizen Force liaison and crime prevention patrol squadron. Reserve squadron operating various civil light aircraft by civilian pilots
5.
Atlas Oryx
–
The Atlas Oryx is a medium-sized utility helicopter manufactured by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa. Outside France, the SAAF was the largest user of Aérospatiale SA330 Puma, the Oryx can trace its origins back to the Bush War. Despite the efforts of the gunship Alouette, the need for a dedicated gunship was recognized, Atlas Aircraft Corporation produced an experimental attack helicopter, the Alpha XH-1. This helicopter was used for feasibility studies and could not serve any practical purpose - this led to the more powerful XTP-1 in April 1987, two XTP-1s were converted, and based on a Puma J airframe. Various weapons and other systems were tested on XTP-1 and paved the way for Project, however, the dynamic flight components of the XTP-1 made Atlas realise what advantages an upgraded Puma could have. 177, was converted to Oryx configuration and used as a prototype and this included complete airframes and dynamic components such as gearboxes, rotor blades and turbines and hot section parts. The engine intakes are fitted with locally produced dust filters and ensure higher efficiency, first examples were fitted with the latest dust filters as were then in use on the SAAF Puma. These units had an auxiliary air intake on the front. A newly designed dust filter was fitted without the auxiliary air intake. Should one of the engines fail, the remaining powerplant has sufficient power for the Oryx to complete its mission, if an engine fails in flight, the management system automatically advances the power setting on the remaining engine. This ensures the Oryx sustains flight with very little crew input, the basic airframe is still that of the original Puma, but the structure was modernized by extensive use of locally produced carbon-composite materials. These materials result in an airframe that is lighter and more rugged, the obvious external difference is the new modified tailboom which is slightly longer, than the Puma. By mid-1991, the SAAF acknowledged that the Oryx was in service, as a replacement for the Puma and it was shown for the first time to the public at an open day at Potchefstroom in August 91. The Oryx is currently in service with several squadrons of the South African Air Force, the Oryx is a multi-role helicopter. Its main uses in the SAAF are, medium to heavy transport and communications flights, task force rapid deployment operations, fire fighting, and search & rescue missions. It can carry up to 20 fully equipped troops, or 6 wounded on stretchers with 4 attendants, or 3,000 kg freight carried in the cabin, or 4,500 kg freight on an external sling. Tasks for the SA Navy include transport, replenishment at sea, force multiplication, reconnaissance, search & rescue, most Oryx are equipped with a 50m hydraulic hoist, rated for up to 2 personnel, for use in rescue operations. Additionally a large metal A-frame structure can be fitted in the bay which allows up to 4 personnel to rappel or abseil from the aircraft simultaneously
6.
Squadron (aviation)
–
In most armed forces, two or more squadrons will form a group or a wing. Some air forces use the term squadrons for non-flying ground units. In contrast to United States Air Force units where flying squadrons are separate from supporting administrative and aircraft maintenance squadrons, in United States Marine Corps Aviation the nomenclature squadron is also used to designate all battalion-equivalent, aviation support organizations. These squadrons include, wing headquarters, tactical air command, air control, air support, aviation logistics, wing support, exceptions are USN helicopter mine countrmeasures squadrons, USMC composite medium tilt-rotor squadrons, heavy helicopter and light/attack helicopter squadrons, and Marine attack squadrons. Although part of U. S. naval aviation, United States Coast Guard aviation units are centered on an air station versus a squadron or group/wing organizational structure, the one exception to this is the Coast Guards Helicopter Interdiction Squadron, which is engaged primarily in counter-narcotics interdiction operations. In U. S. Army Aviation, flying units may be organized in battalions or squadrons reporting to an aviation brigade, an escadron is the equivalent unit in Frances Armée de lAir. It is normally subdivided into escadrilles of eight aircraft, in the Air Training Corps of the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth nations, a Squadron is a group of cadets who parade regularly. In the U. S. Civil Air Patrol, a squadron is the administrative unit. In the Swedish Air Force a helicopter squadron is a detachment from the Helicopter Wing
7.
Helicopter
–
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward and these attributes allow helicopters to be used in congested or isolated areas where fixed-wing aircraft and many forms of VTOL aircraft cannot perform. English language nicknames for helicopter include chopper, copter, helo, heli, Helicopters were developed and built during the first half-century of flight, with the Focke-Wulf Fw 61 being the first operational helicopter in 1936. Some helicopters reached limited production, but it was not until 1942 that a helicopter designed by Igor Sikorsky reached full-scale production, with 131 aircraft built. Though most earlier designs used more than one rotor, it is the single main rotor with anti-torque tail rotor configuration that has become the most common helicopter configuration. Tandem rotor helicopters are also in use due to their greater payload capacity. Coaxial helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft, and compound helicopters are all flying today, quadcopter helicopters pioneered as early as 1907 in France, and other types of multicopter have been developed for specialized applications such as unmanned drones. The earliest references for vertical flight came from China, since around 400 BC, Chinese children have played with bamboo flying toys. This bamboo-copter is spun by rolling a stick attached to a rotor, the spinning creates lift, and the toy flies when released. The 4th-century AD Daoist book Baopuzi by Ge Hong reportedly describes some of the ideas inherent to rotary wing aircraft, designs similar to the Chinese helicopter toy appeared in Renaissance paintings and other works. In the 18th and early 19th centuries Western scientists developed flying machines based on the Chinese toy. It was not until the early 1480s, when Leonardo da Vinci created a design for a machine that could be described as an aerial screw, that any recorded advancement was made towards vertical flight. His notes suggested that he built flying models, but there were no indications for any provision to stop the rotor from making the craft rotate. As scientific knowledge increased and became accepted, people continued to pursue the idea of vertical flight. In July 1754, Russian Mikhail Lomonosov had developed a small coaxial modeled after the Chinese top but powered by a spring device. It was powered by a spring, and was suggested as a method to lift meteorological instruments. Sir George Cayley, influenced by a fascination with the Chinese flying top, developed a model of feathers, similar to that of Launoy and Bienvenu. By the end of the century, he had progressed to using sheets of tin for rotor blades and his writings on his experiments and models would become influential on future aviation pioneers
8.
Junkers Ju 86
–
The Junkers Ju 86 was a German monoplane bomber and civilian airliner designed in the early 1930s, and employed by both sides during World War II. The civilian model Ju 86B could carry 10 passengers, two were delivered to Swissair and five to Luft Hansa. In addition a single civilian Ju 86Z was delivered to the Swedish AB Aerotransport, five prototypes were ordered from each company, the Junkers Ju 86 and Heinkel He 111. Junkers design was a twin engined monoplane, of all-metal stressed skin construction. Unlike most of Junkers previous designs, it discarded their typical corrugated skinning in favour of smooth metal skinning which helped to reduce drag, the craft was fitted with a narrow track retractable tailwheel undercarriage and twin fins and rudders. It was intended to be powered by the Junkers Jumo 205 diesel engines, the bomber aircraft had a crew of four, a pilot, navigator, radio operator/bombardier and gunner. Defensive armament consisted of three guns, situated at the nose, at a dorsal position and within a retractable ventral position. Bombs were carried vertically in four fuselage cells behind the cockpit, the airliner version replaced the bombload with seating for 10 passengers, with fuel tanks being moved from the fuselage to the wings. The third Ju 86, and the first civil prototype, flew on 4 April 1935, production of pre-series military and civil aircraft started in late 1935, with full production of the Ju 86 A-1 bomber commencing in April 1936. Production quickly switched to the improved Ju 86D with a tail cone to improve stability. One Ju 86 had already converted to use radial engines as a testbed for possible export versions. With production switched to a version powered by the BMW132 engine, the ABA aircraft was later transferred to the Swedish Air Force, with which it served, under the designation Tp 9, until 1958. South African Airways original intention was to have its Ju 86s powered by 745 hp Rolls-Royce Kestrels, Six aircraft for SAA, flown with these engines, were refitted with Hornets before delivery, and the remainder were also Hornet-powered. The Ju 86K was a model, also built under license in Sweden by Saab as the B3 with Bristol Mercury XIX radial engines. Several aircraft remained in service with the Swedish Air Force until 1958, a few were converted to SIGINT platforms. The bomber was field tested in the Spanish Civil War, where it proved inferior to the Heinkel He 111. A replacement aircraft was sent from Germany, but in the summer of 1937 another D-1 was lost in an accident, and it was again used in the 1939 invasion of Poland, but retired soon after. In January 1940, the Luftwaffe tested the prototype Ju 86P with a longer wingspan, pressurized cabin, Jumo 207A1 turbocharged diesel engines, and a two-man crew
9.
Bristol Blenheim
–
The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War. It was originally developed as the civil-orientated Type 142 in response to Lord Rothermeres challenge to produce the fastest commercial aircraft in Europe. First flying in April 1935, the Air Ministry was quickly impressed by its performance, on 10 March 1937, deliveries of the newly named Blenheim commenced to RAF squadrons. The Blenheim was one of the first British aircraft to feature an all-metal stressed-skin construction, retractable landing gear, flaps, a more capable bomber derivative, the Beaufort, was also developed, being both larger and heavier than the Blenheim. A Canadian-built variant named the Bolingbroke was used as a patrol aircraft. The Mark IV variant was equally unsuccessful in its daylight bombing role, the Blenheim was also used by a wide range of overseas operators, as well being produced under licence in Finland and Yugoslavia. By this point, proposed use of the Aquila engine had been shelved in favour of the supercharger-equipped, deeming it suitable for the issued challenge, the design of Type 135 was further adapted to produce the Type 142 in order to meet the requirements outlined by Rothermere. On 12 April 1935, the Type 142, which had given the name Britain First, conducted its maiden flight from Filton Aerodrome. Flight tests soon proved that the aircraft was in fact faster than any fighter in service with the Royal Air Force at the time, Rothermere presented the aircraft to the nation for a formal evaluation at a potential bomber. By June 1935, the Air Ministry had become interested in the due to its high performance. On 9 July 1935, a conference was held by Bristol at the ministrys request into the question of converting the Type 142 into a suitable medium bomber. Based upon talks from the conference, the Air Ministry quickly formalised Specification B. 28/35 for prototypes of a bomber version, the Type 142M. Other modifications included the addition of a position and a Browning machine gun gun in the nose along with provisions for a semi-retractable gun turret in the dorsal position. In September 1935, a contract for 150 aircraft was placed. The Air Ministry had chosen to order the type directly from the board, having been urgently sought as one piece of a wider. The first aircraft built of this model, K7033, served as the only prototype, on 25 June 1936. The service name for the aircraft became Blenheim Mk I after the battle during the War of the Spanish Succession. On 10 March 1937, production deliveries to the RAF formally started,114 Squadron became the first squadron to receive the Blenheim
10.
Martin Maryland
–
The Martin Model 167 was an American-designed medium bomber that first flew in 1939. It saw action in World War II with France and the United Kingdom, in response to a United States Army Air Corps light bomber requirement issued in 1938, the Glenn L. Martin Company produced their Model 167, which was given the official designation XA-22. Martins design was a twin-engine all-metal monoplane, capable of around 310 mph with a crew of three, the prototype Model 167W was powered by twin-row Pratt & Whitney R-1830-37 Twin Wasp engines, which were replaced in French production aircraft by single-row 9-cylinder Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines. All versions of the Model 167 were armed with six guns, four fixed guns in the wings, one dorsal gun. In the prototype these guns were all 0.30 in Browning machine guns, the dorsal gun was mounted in a fully retractable turret. The French aircraft used license built Belgian Fabrique Nationale FN-Brownings, the weight saved helped to increase the top speed to 288 mph. The Model 167 was a fairly typical twin engined bomber of the period, the most unusual feature of the Model 167 was the very narrow fuselage although it was shared with a number of late pre-war contemporaries. Glenn L. Martin doubled the size of the Baltimore factory, and built all 115 aircraft in six months, despite this the French placed an order for an additional 100 aircraft. The embargo was lifted in October 1939, and the 115 aircraft from the first order were delivered by late November 1939, deliveries then slowed down, and only 25 of the second batch reached France before the Armistice of 22 June 1940. Facing a massive German arms buildup and desperate for modern aircraft, Martin received an order for more than 200167 Fs which incorporated French-specific equipment such as metric instruments. French officials expected deliveries to begin in January 1939 but the type, notably, because of the U. S. embargo on arms exports after the beginning of World War II, many aircraft were impounded for two months before being shipped to Europe. When the Germans invaded France there were only four Groupes de bombardement equipped, the Glenns were quickly sent to the front lines where they performed well with their adequate speed and excellent maneuverability for an aircraft in this class. In about 400 sorties, they suffered a 4% loss rate, immediately before the June 1940 Armistice, units flying the Glenn Martin 167 were evacuated to French North Africa to avoid capture by the Germans. One of them landed in Spain and was interned, being tested by the Spanish Air Force, some examples were transferred to the Aéronautique Navale. During Vichy rule of the French empire, French Martins bombed British Commonwealth forces, as French North Africa got back in the Allied camp in 1943, M. 167s were replaced with more modern Allied types, including the Martin B-26 Marauder. Approximately 215 Martin 167s were delivered to France, just before the Franco-German Armistice, the remaining 75 planes on the French order were signed over to the United Kingdom. Thirty-two aircraft had completed to French specifications and were converted to British requirements in the UK. Engines were changed from the Cyclone 9 to the Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp and various weapons, the last 43 of the order were completed as required by Glenn Martin
11.
Tragedy at Kufra
–
The Kufra tragedy occurred in May 1942 during World War II, when eleven of twelve South African aircrew flying in three Bristol Blenheim Mark IV aircraft of No. The South African Air Forces No, arriving in Egypt in February 1942, it set up operations south of Amariya, near Alexandria. Only two men in the squadron – its commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel H. H. Borckenhagen, on 8 April 1942,47 ground staff departed for Kufra, making a journey by train, river steamer, and ground vehicle, they arrived on 25 April. The newly promoted Major de Wet, who was placed in command of the detachment, No.15 Squadron selected its three best Blenheims – Z7513, Z7610, and T2252 – for the detachment. Each carrying a crew, they arrived at Kufra on 28 April 1942. In addition to its crew of three, each plane would carry a fourth man – an armourer – to assist with armament aboard the aircraft during the flight, after receiving an early-morning weather report for the region which predicted a visibility of 2. After initial communications checks with Kufra, nothing was heard from the aircraft until 7,10 hours. In the meantime, the three Blenheim crews believed that they had completed their flight, identifying each waypoint and planning to arrive at Kufra between 07,33 and 07,42 hours. However, Allied personnel at Rebiana did not hear them fly past, suggesting that they already were off course by the time they thought they had completed the first leg of their flight. The aircraft turned to this course at 07,42, and Allied infantrymen at Taizerbo heard them fly past to the west, at 08,10 they turned 180° to fly on the reciprocal bearing, 125°. After T2252s starboard engine began to malfunction around 09,00 hours, Major de Wet ordered the aircraft to land in the desert, the Blenheim crews conferred and concluded that they were only about 20 miles from Kufra. At 11,00, a crew took off in Z7610 and flew southwest, but returned at 11,30 having failed to find Kufra. After transferring fuel from the disabled T2252, a crew took off in Z7610 and flew on a heading of 213° for about 24 miles. A third flight leaving at 15,35 hours flew on a course of 240° – which would have led it to Kufra – but turned back after 81 miles, the crews made no further attempts to find their base that day. Apparently assuming imminent rescue, they consumed a great deal of water during their first day in the desert, by midday, Kufra was aware that the three Blenheims must have landed somewhere in the desert. Occasional weak signals from the aircraft during the day were inadequate to establish their bearing, ground search parties were organised at Rebiana, Bzema, and LG07, and various direction-finding stations monitored possible signals from the missing aircraft. Ground searches began based on doubtful bearings taken during the day, the downed Blenheim crews made two more unsuccessful flights seeking Kufra on 5 May. Meanwhile, most of the ground search parties returned to report their lack of success
12.
Martin Baltimore
–
With the fall of France, the production series was diverted to Great Britain. Baltimore development was hindered by a series of problems, although the type became a highly versatile combat aircraft. Initially designated the A-23, the Model 187 had a deeper fuselage, the Model 187 met the needs for a light to medium bomber, originally ordered by the Anglo-French Purchasing Commission as a joint project in May 1940. The French Air Force sought to replace the earlier Maryland,400 aircraft being ordered, with the fall of France, the Royal Air Force took over the order and gave it the service name Baltimore. To enable the aircraft to be supplied to the British under the Lend-Lease Act the United States Army Air Forces designation A-30 was allocated, the first British aircraft were delivered in late 1941 to equip Operational Training Units. The RAF only used the Baltimores operationally in the Mediterranean theater, many users were impressed by the step up that the Baltimore represented from older aircraft like the Bristol Blenheim. The users of the Baltimore, and Martin pilot Benjamin R, due to the narrow fuselage it was nearly impossible for crew members to change positions during flight if wounded. This was common for most light bombers of the era like the Handley Page Hampden, Douglas Boston, crews also complained about the difficulties in handling the aircraft on the ground. On takeoff, the pilot had to co-ordinate the throttles perfectly to avoid a nose-over, however, operating at medium altitude with fighter escorts, the Baltimore had a very low loss rate, with the majority of losses coming from operational accidents. The Baltimore saw limited Fleet Air Arm service with aircraft transferred from the RAF in the Mediterranean to equip a squadron in 1944, used in the anti-submarine role during the war, the Baltimore achieved moderate success, sinking up to eight U-boats. The RAF also transferred aircraft to other Allies in the Mediterranean area, after the capitulation of Italy in 1943, the type was used intensively in the Italian campaign to clear the road to Rome for advancing Allied forces. After the armistice, an Italian-manned squadron, the 28th Bomber Wing, was equipped with ex-RAF Baltimores, the Italians suffered considerable attrition during their training phase on the Baltimore. The majority of accidents were during takeoffs and landings due to the fairly high wing loading, high approach speed. The Italians only operated the Baltimore for roughly six months, many of those operations were in Yugoslavia and Greece, providing air support for partisan forces or dropping supplies. Most Baltimores were scrapped soon after the war, although one RAF squadron continued to use the type in Kenya where the aircraft were used in aerial mapping and locust control until 1948. In post-war service, the Baltimore took part in United States Navy instrument, with its powerful engines and light, yet robust construction, the aircraft was able to be dived at high speed, reaching Mach.74 in tests. All Baltimores were withdrawn from service by the end of 1949, Baltimore B. II As with the Mk I, defensive armament was increased to 120.303 in machine guns including twin 0.303 in Vickers K machine guns in both the dorsal and ventral positions. III Modified Mk II design defensive armament was increased to 140.303 in guns, iIIa Ordered by USAAF and supplied under Lend-lease to the RAF, two 0.50 in machine guns in a Martin-built electrically powered dorsal turret
13.
Harry Schwarz
–
In the 1964 Rivonia Trial he was a defence lawyer. He was in the opposition for over 40 years and was a member of the Democratic Party. Described as South Africas most feisty politician and a maverick, he was known for his parliamentary clashes with the apartheid government over its racial. In his political career spanning 43 years, in which he gained respect from across the political spectrum, in 1988 he received the Order for Meritorious Service and received several Honorary Doctorates. He was also one of the South African Jewish communitys foremost leaders, Nelson Mandela, a friend of his whom he visited while in prison, described him as a champion of the poor. Harry Schwarz was born Heinz Schwarz to Fritz and Alma Schwarz in Cologne and his family belonged to the Glockengasse Synagogue. He arrived in South Africa as a Jewish refugee from Germany in 1934 with his mother and younger brother Kurt and his father Fritz, a Social Democratic Party activist, left for South Africa the night the Nazis came to power. They boarded the SS Giulio Cesare in Genoa, Italy which took them to South Africa, when they arrived in Cape Town they stayed in one room in a house in Kloof Street. Schwarz described how he was lucky as eventually he was able to sleep in a bathroom in a rusty bath and he spoke no Afrikaans or English at first and had strong memories of being taunted on the schoolyard for being different. Schwarz stated in an interview in 1991 that I know what the word means, not because Ive read it in a book. And I know what it means to be hungry, the discrimination and financial difficulties of his family left a strong impression on Schwarz and helped shape his political philosophy with its emphasis on social justice and the rule of law. He attended Tamboerskloof School and South African College Schools in Cape Town, following his graduation from school in 1943, he was offered a job working for a top stockbroker, as well as a university scholarship. However, Schwarz instead joined the South African Air Force during World War II in order to defeat Nazism and he served as a navigator and fought in North Africa, Crete and Italy. It was in the air force that he adopted the name Harry and he was in 15 Squadron and seconded to the RAF. In 1984 he was made an Honorary Colonel of the 15th Squadron and he joined the United Party and assisted in the 1948 election. However, as a result of the National Party victory, he was determined to more active and was elected Chairman of the United Party branch at the university. He argued that the National Partys victory in 1948 was reversible, in an interview in 1991, Schwarz said on the National Party victory that “To me, they were the people who had supported Germany during the war. As a young man, it was very objectionable to me that the very people I had been fighting against were the people that the National Party had supported. ”He was also president of the universitys ex-servicemens league and chair of the Law Students Council
14.
Durban
–
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. Durbans metropolitan municipality ranks third among the most populous areas in South Africa after Johannesburg. It is also the second most important manufacturing hub in South Africa after Johannesburg and it forms part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa and it is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism because of the citys warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches. It is the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal which is the 2nd most populous province in South Africa and it has the highest number of dollar millionaires added per year of any South African city with the number rising 200% between 2000 and 2014. In May 2015, Durban was officially recognised as one of the New7Wonders Cities together with Vigan, Doha, La Paz, Havana, Beirut, archaeological evidence from the Drakensberg mountains suggests that the Durban area has been inhabited by communities of hunter-gatherers since 100,000 BC. He named the area Natal, or Christmas in Portuguese, accompanying Farewell was an adventurer named Henry Francis Fynn. Fynn was able to befriend the Zulu King Shaka by helping him to recover from a wound he suffered in battle. As a token of Shakas gratitude, he granted Fynn a 30-mile strip of coast a hundred miles in depth. During a meeting of 35 European residents in Fynns territory on 23 June 1835, it was decided to build a town and name it dUrban after Sir Benjamin dUrban. The Voortrekkers established the Republic of Natalia in 1838, with its capital at Pietermaritzburg, piet Retief, leader of the Voortrekkers in Natal, negotiated with the Zulu King, Dingane, in order to obtain land for their farming purposes. After negotiations were concluded, Dingane however reneged and had Retief, thereafter the Zulus attacked and killed more than 500 Voortrekkers at Retiefs laager. The Voortrekkers retaliated and broke Dinganes power at the Battle of Blood River, the force arrived on 4 May 1842 and built a fortification that was later to be The Old Fort. On the night of 23/24 May 1842 the British attacked the Voortrekker camp at Congella, the attack failed, and the British had to withdraw to their camp which was put under siege. A local trader Dick King and his servant Ndongeni were able to escape the blockade and rode to Grahamstown, the reinforcements arrived in Durban 20 days later, the Voortrekkers retreated, and the siege was lifted. Fierce conflict with the Zulu population led to the evacuation of Durban, a British governor was appointed to the region and many settlers emigrated from Europe and the Cape Colony. The British established a sugar industry in the 1860s. Farm owners had a difficult time attracting Zulu labourers to work on their plantations, as a result of the importation of Indian labourers, Durban has the largest Asian community on the African continent, and has the largest Indian population outside of India
15.
Search and rescue
–
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, International Search and Rescue Advisory Group is a UN organization that promotes the exchange of information between national urban search and rescue organizations. The duty to render assistance is covered by Article 98 of the UNCLOS, there are many different definitions of search and rescue, depending on the agency involved. Canadian Forces, Search and Rescue comprises the search for, and provision of aid to, persons, ships or other craft which are, or are feared to be, in distress or imminent danger. United States Coast Guard, The use of resources to assist persons or property in potential or actual distress. One of the worlds earliest well-documented SAR efforts ensued following the 1656 wreck of the Dutch merchant ship Vergulde Draeck off the west coast of Australia, survivors sought help, and in response three separate SAR missions were conducted, without success. All 5 crew members of an oil barge, which had run aground on Penfield Reef, were saved before the barge sank, in 1983, Korean Air Lines Flight 007 with 269 occupants was shot down by a Soviet aircraft near Sakhalin. The Soviets sent SAR helicopters and boats to Soviet waters, while a search, South Korean, and Japanese ships and aircraft in international waters, but no survivors were found. In July 2009, Air France Flight 447 was lost in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, an international SAR effort was launched, to no avail. A third effort nearly two years later discovered the site and recovered the black boxes. In early 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 crashed under mysterious circumstances, many nations contributed to the initial SAR effort, which was fruitless. 3mn to date on fuel and food in its own effort. The search for Flight 370 has become the largest SAR so far with the largest budget, mountain rescue relates to search and rescue operations specifically in rugged and mountainous terrain. Ground search and rescue is the search for persons who are lost or in distress on land or inland waterways, some ground search teams also employ search and rescue dogs. Urban search and rescue, also referred to as Heavy Urban Search and Rescue, is the location and rescue of persons from collapsed buildings or other urban and industrial entrapments. Due to the nature of the work, most teams are multi-disciplinary and include personnel from police, fire. While earthquakes have traditionally been the cause of US&R operations, terrorist attacks, combat search and rescue is search and rescue operations that are carried out during war that are within or near combat zones. Air-sea rescue refers to the use of aircraft and surface vessels, to search for. This treaty contains the definition of high seas, at Article 1, International Search and Rescue Advisory Group is a UN organization that promotes the exchange of information between national urban search and rescue organizations
16.
AgustaWestland AW109
–
The AgustaWestland AW109 is a lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter built by the Italian manufacturer Leonardo. The rotorcraft had the distinction of being the first all-Italian helicopter to be mass-produced, developed as the A109 by Agusta, it originally entered service in 1976 and has since been used in various roles, including light transport, medevac, search-and-rescue, and military roles. The AW109 has been in production for 40 years. The AgustaWestland AW119 is a derivative of the AW109, the difference being that it is powered only by a single engine instead. In the late 1960s, Agusta designed the A109 originally as a commercial helicopter. However, it was realised that a twin-engine design was needed. A projected military version was considered early on but Agusta initially chose not to pursue immediate development, the first of three prototypes made its maiden flight on 4 August 1971. On 1 June 1975, certification for visual flight rules upon the A109 was received from the Federal Aviation Administration, in 1976, deliveries of production A109 to customers began. Advantages over the then-market leading Bell 206 were the A109s superior speed, twin-engine redundancy, two military versions emerged from this program, one was intended for light attack/close support missions and the other for shipboard operations. Improved civil versions quickly followed on from the production model, in 1981. According to AgustaWestland, the A109 Power was in service in 46 countries by 2008, in 2006, an enlarged variant, the A109S Grand, was introduced. The Agusta A109 was renamed the AW109 following the July 2000 merger of Finmeccanica S. p. A. and GKN plcs respective helicopter subsidiaries Agusta, since the mid-1990s, fuselages for the AW109 have been manufactured by PZL-Świdnik, which became a subsidiary company of AgustaWestland in 2010. In June 2006, the 500th fuselage was delivered by PZL-Świdnik, in February 2014, AgustaWestland revealed that it was developing the AW109 Trekker, an updated variant of the AW109. The Trekker reportedly advances upon the standard AW109s utility capabilities, as per prior AW109 versions, the final assembly of the Trekker is undertaken at sites in both the US and Italy. The AW109 is a lightweight helicopter, known for its speed, elegant appearance. Since entering commercial service, several revisions and iterations have been made, frequently introducing new avionics, AgustaWestland have promoted the type for its multirole capabilities and serviceability. The type has proven popular with VIP/corporate customers, according to AgustaWestland. Other roles for the AW109 have included emergency medical services, law enforcement, homeland security missions, harbor pilot shuttle duty, search and rescue, maritime operations, in 2008, AgustaWestland claimed the AW109 to be one of the industry’s best-selling helicopters
17.
Nkwe ya Selefera
–
The Nkwe ya Selefera - Silver Leopard, post-nominal letters NS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003. It is South Africas second highest military decoration for bravery, the Union Defence Forces were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force in 1958. On 27 April 1994, it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force. The Nkwe ya Selefera - Silver Leopard, post-nominal letters NS, was instituted by the President of South Africa on 16 April 2003, the bilingual title of the decoration is in Sesotho and English. This decoration replaced the Honoris Crux as South Africas second highest military decoration for bravery and it is the middle award of a set of three military decorations for bravery, along with the Nkwe ya Gauta - Golden Leopard and the Nkwe ya Boronse - Bronze Leopard. A Bar may be awarded for every subsequent action which would make recipients eligible for the award of the same decoration, the decoration and bar may be awarded posthumously. Deliberate but daring and conspicuous actions on an occasion or over a period of time. A dangerous, serious and/or critical situation, a possibility of loss of own life and/or endangered own life for others. Succeeded by the Pro Virtute Decoration of the Republic of South Africa, official national order of precedence Preceded by the Star for Bravery in Silver of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Succeeded by the Mendi Decoration for Bravery, Silver of the Republic of South Africa, obverse The Nkwe ya Selefera - Silver Leopard is a five-armed cross paty, struck in silver, with a diameter of 38 millimetres. The arms of the cross are bordered and the extremities embowed, in the centre of the obverse is a light blue enamel roundel,19 millimetres in diameter, with a silver leopards head. Reverse The reverse bears, in relief, the Coat of arms of South Africa, the decoration is attached to a plain silver suspender, affixed to the upper arm of the decoration. The decoration number is stamped or engraved below the Coat of Arms, ribbon The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide and sky blue, with 6 millimetres wide white edges. The blue represents the feathers of the crane, which Xhosa kings used to present to brave warriors. When only a bar is worn, a button replica of the decoration,8 millimetres in diameter. The insignia are struck in silver and is worn on the ribbon, crossed swords for the South African Army. An eagle for the South African Air Force, an Anchor for the South African Navy. The Rod of Aesculapius for the South African Military Health Service, in respect of those recipients about whom it is available, the actions they were cited for follow below the table, since inclusion in the table itself is impractical
18.
Sergeant
–
Sergeant is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. Its origin is the Latin serviens, one who serves, through the French term sergent, the term sergeant refers to a non-commissioned officer placed above the rank of a corporal and a police officer immediately below a lieutenant. In most armies the rank of sergeant corresponds to command of a squad, in Commonwealth armies, it is a more senior rank, corresponding roughly to a platoon second-in-command. In the United States Army, sergeant is a junior rank corresponding to a four-soldier fireteam leader. More senior non-commissioned ranks are often variations on sergeant, for example staff sergeant, many countries use sergeant rank, whether in English or using a cognate with the same origin in another language. The equivalent rank in Arab armies is raqeeb, meaning overseer or watcher, in medieval European usage, a sergeant was simply any attendant or officer with a protective duty. Any medieval knight or military order of knighthood might have sergeants-at-arms, the etymology of the term is from Anglo-French sergant, serjant servant, valet, court official, soldier, from Middle Latin servientem servant, vassal, soldier. Later, a sergeant was a man of what would now be thought of as the middle class. Sergeants could fight either as heavy to light cavalry, or as well trained professional infantry, most notable medieval mercenaries fell into the sergeant class, such as Flemish crossbowmen and spearmen, who were seen as reliable quality troops. The sergeant class was deemed to be half of a knight in military value. A specific kind of military sergeant was the serjeant-at-arms, one of a body of armed men retained by English lords, the title is now given to an officer in modern legislative bodies who is charged with keeping order during meetings and, if necessary, forcibly removing disruptive members. The responsibilities of a sergeant differ from army to army, there are usually several ranks of sergeant, each corresponding to greater experience and responsibility for the daily lives of the soldiers of larger units. Sergeant is a rank in both the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force, the ranks are equivalent to each other and the Royal Australian Navy rank of petty officer. The Australian Army rank of sergeant is now redundant and is no longer awarded, due to being outside the rank equivalencies. Chief petty officers and flight sergeants are not required to call a warrant officer class two sir in accordance with Australian Defence Force Regulations 1952. The rank of sergeant exists in all Australian police forces and is more senior than a constable or senior constable, New South Wales Police Force, for example, has the additional rank of incremental sergeant. This is a progression, following appointment as a sergeant for seven years. An incremental sergeant rank is less senior than a senior sergeant but is more senior than a sergeant, upon appointment as a sergeant or senior sergeant, the sergeant is given a warrant of appointment under the commissioners hand and seal
19.
International Standard Book Number
–
The International Standard Book Number is a unique numeric commercial book identifier. An ISBN is assigned to each edition and variation of a book, for example, an e-book, a paperback and a hardcover edition of the same book would each have a different ISBN. The ISBN is 13 digits long if assigned on or after 1 January 2007, the method of assigning an ISBN is nation-based and varies from country to country, often depending on how large the publishing industry is within a country. The initial ISBN configuration of recognition was generated in 1967 based upon the 9-digit Standard Book Numbering created in 1966, the 10-digit ISBN format was developed by the International Organization for Standardization and was published in 1970 as international standard ISO2108. Occasionally, a book may appear without a printed ISBN if it is printed privately or the author does not follow the usual ISBN procedure, however, this can be rectified later. Another identifier, the International Standard Serial Number, identifies periodical publications such as magazines, the ISBN configuration of recognition was generated in 1967 in the United Kingdom by David Whitaker and in 1968 in the US by Emery Koltay. The 10-digit ISBN format was developed by the International Organization for Standardization and was published in 1970 as international standard ISO2108, the United Kingdom continued to use the 9-digit SBN code until 1974. The ISO on-line facility only refers back to 1978, an SBN may be converted to an ISBN by prefixing the digit 0. For example, the edition of Mr. J. G. Reeder Returns, published by Hodder in 1965, has SBN340013818 -340 indicating the publisher,01381 their serial number. This can be converted to ISBN 0-340-01381-8, the check digit does not need to be re-calculated, since 1 January 2007, ISBNs have contained 13 digits, a format that is compatible with Bookland European Article Number EAN-13s. An ISBN is assigned to each edition and variation of a book, for example, an ebook, a paperback, and a hardcover edition of the same book would each have a different ISBN. The ISBN is 13 digits long if assigned on or after 1 January 2007, a 13-digit ISBN can be separated into its parts, and when this is done it is customary to separate the parts with hyphens or spaces. Separating the parts of a 10-digit ISBN is also done with either hyphens or spaces, figuring out how to correctly separate a given ISBN number is complicated, because most of the parts do not use a fixed number of digits. ISBN issuance is country-specific, in that ISBNs are issued by the ISBN registration agency that is responsible for country or territory regardless of the publication language. Some ISBN registration agencies are based in national libraries or within ministries of culture, in other cases, the ISBN registration service is provided by organisations such as bibliographic data providers that are not government funded. In Canada, ISBNs are issued at no cost with the purpose of encouraging Canadian culture. In the United Kingdom, United States, and some countries, where the service is provided by non-government-funded organisations. Australia, ISBNs are issued by the library services agency Thorpe-Bowker
20.
Sergeant Major of the Air Force
–
The Sergeant Major of the South African Air Force is the most senior Warrant Officer in the South African Air Force. The post was created in 1979 and it is a singular appointment – it is only held by one person at any time. The Sergeant Major of the Air Force reports to the Chief of the Air Force and is responsible for maintaining discipline in the Air Force. Before 2008 all Sergeant Majors of the Air Force were Warrant Officer Class 1, in 2008 the SANDF expanded the Warrant Officer ranks and the Sergeant Major of the Air Force now holds the rank of Senior Chief Warrant Officer. Prior to 2002 the Sergeant Major of the Air Force had a rank insignia. Following the Warrant Officer rank redesign the Sergeant Major of the Air Force does not have a rank insignia South African Air Force South African military ranks
21.
2 Squadron SAAF
–
2 Squadron is a squadron in the South African Air Force which was formed in 1940. The squadron has a history, having been involved in every single combat action in which the SAAF has taken part. During the Second World War it made a name for itself in the battles for East Africa, before distinguishing itself in North Africa as part of the Desert Air Force, the squadron was established on 1 October 1940. During the initial years of the war,2 Squadron served as part of 1 Bomber Brigade in the East African Campaign, after August 1943, it also saw action in Sicily, Italy and Yugoslavia. 2 Squadron was attached to the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing U. S. Air Force for the duration of the war, initially flying the P-51 Mustang, the squadron re-equipped with the F-86 Sabre in February 1953. During the war the squadron flew a total of 12,067 sorties,74 of the 94 Mustangs and 4 out of the 22 Sabres were lost, along with 34 pilots. For its actions, the received the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United States Presidential Unit Citation. After the Korean War 2 Squadron, based at Waterkloof AFB, was equipped with Sabres, the first aircraft to fly through the sound barrier over South African soil was a Sabre piloted by Captain Gerrie Moolman. Conversion to the new Mirage III occurred in 1963 and the moved to AFB Hoedspruit at the end of 1978. The squadron fought in several engagements during the South-West Africa/Angola Border War and they continued to fly the Mirages until October 1990. They later re-equipped with the Atlas Cheetah C and D, reconnaissance was also performed using Vinten Vicon 18 Series 601 pod. Regular night flying was performed and the aircrew also performed air-to-air refuelling operations with the Boeing 707 aircraft of 60 Squadron, the squadron participated in the annual SANDF force preparation exercises which includes using live weapons. During joint exercises with the German Luftwaffe in 2006,40 live V3S Snake short-range air-to-air missiles were fired at the Denel Overberg Test Range, moving to Louis Trichardt in January 1993,2 Squadron became the sole front line combat jet squadron in the SAAF. Till 2 April 2008 the squadron operated the Cheetah C/D fighter aircraft and was equipped with 28 examples, the squadron flew 1010 hours in 2004. The last of the Cheetahs were retired on 2 April 2008, the SAAF accepted its first Gripen D in April 2008 and the final two Gripen D aircraft arrived in South Africa in July 2009. The first two Gripen Cs arrived on 11 February 2010 with deliveries ongoing as at October 2011, the squadron operates all the SAAFs Gripens except for the first Gripen D, which is assigned to the Test Flight and Development Centre at AFB Overberg. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988, unofficial South African Air Force website
22.
16 Squadron SAAF
–
16 Squadron SAAF is an attack helicopter squadron of the South African Air Force. It was finally disbanded in June 1945 and was not re-raised until 1968 as a helicopter squadron, in the late 1980s the squadron took part in the conflict in Angola before being disbanded again in 1990. It was raised once more in 1999 and it is operating the Rooivalk attack helicopter. However, it was short-lived, and by December of that year it had become B Flight of 32 Squadron, the squadron was re-formed at Addis Ababa on 1 May 1941, flying eight Ju-86Z taken over from 12 Squadron plus two Martin Marylands. It was disbanded that August following the Italian surrender, in April 1943 the squadron moved to Egypt, and was equipped with Bristol Beaufighters for use in anti-submarine duties. It continued to perform this role until it was disbanded on 15 June 1945. It would be 23 years before the squadron was once again re-formed, this time at AFB Ysterplaat on 1 February 1968, a year later it moved to AFB Durban, though did not stay long, and finally moved to AFB Bloemspruit during 1972. The squadrons A Flight was transferred to AFS Port Elizabeth in 1973, with its B Flight moving first to AFB Ysterplaat, in 1986, the squadron received an additional type, the Aérospatiale Puma. Throughout this period the squadron played a role in the South-West Africa/Angola Border War. The latest chapter in 16 Squadrons history began on 28 October 1999 when it was reformed at AFB Bloemspruit and equipped with the new Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter, receiving all 12 ordered. It is however still a functioning squadron, and regularly carries out joint exercises with the South African Army, the Rooivalk saw its first combat in support of the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during 2013. Junkers Ju 86Z Martin Maryland Bristol Beaufort Bristol Blenheim V Bristol Beaufighter Aérospatiale Alouette III Aérospatiale Puma UN Helicopters Attacks in Congo on YouTube 16 Squadron home page
23.
19 Squadron SAAF
–
19 Squadron SAAF is a current squadron of the South African Air Force operating as a transport/utility helicopter squadron. It was formed in 1939 as part of the Air Force airways Wing, flying transport aircraft but was disbanded after a few months and it was re-formed from No.227 Squadron RAF in 1944 and disbanded again after the end of World war 2. It was again re-established in 1970 as a helicopter squadron - a role which it still performs today,19 Squadron was formed on 1 September 1939 together with 17 Squadron. It formed part of the Airways Wing at Swartkop Air Station flying ex-South African Airways Junkers Ju-52/3ms but was disbanded on 1 December the same year. The squadron did not participate in the Second World War until 12 August 1944 when 227 Squadron RAF was renumbered as 19 Squadron SAAF at Biferno in Italy. The squadron was deployed flying Beaufighters and was involved in operations in Italy, Greece, a Flight was moved to AFB Louis Trichardt on 1 January 1991, with the rest of the squadron moving on 1 January 1992 flying Aérospatiale Alouette IIIs. The squadron moved to AFB Hoedspruit on 1 January 2004 where it is currently based,19 Squadron became the first squadron to be equipped with the Oryx helicopter in early 1994
24.
21 Squadron SAAF
–
21 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It was formed as a squadron in Kenya during World War II and became a VIP transport squadron in the 1960s. The squadron currently flies two Dassault Falcon 50s, two Cessna Citation Is, a Dassault Falcon 900 and a Boeing BBJ aircraft,21 Squadron is one of the most active squadrons in the air force with 606 VIP transport flights being made between 2009 and 2012. The Boeing BBJ is used as the aircraft when the President of South Africa travels. 21 Squadron SAAF was first formed on 8 May 1941 in Nakuru, Kenya, the squadron consisted of pilots from Squadrons 11,15, and 16 of the SAAF. From November 1943 to February 1944, the 21st Squadron was based at Totorella in the province of Foggia, baltimore, Anson, and DC3 planes were flown on bombing raids mainly over central Italy and into Yugoslavia. On 21 February 1944 the squadron moved from Tortorella to Campmarino, south east of Termoli,21 Squadron SAAF was disbanded on 10 September 1945. In 1968, the squadron was reformed at AFB Swartkop flying a Vickers Viscount, the squadron acquired Hawker Siddeley HS-125 in 1970 and Swearingen Merlin in 1975. In 1985 the squadron moved to AFB Waterkloof, in 1983 the Viscount was transferred to 44 Squadron and the Merlins were sold in 1985. Two Beech KingAir 200Cs were acquired, but one was later sold, the HS-125s were disposed of in 1999. The squadron currently flies a fleet of jet aircraft, the two Dassault Falcon 50s were acquired in 1982 and 1985, the two Cessna 550 Citation IIs in 1983 and the Dassault Falcon 900 in 1992. In January 2003 the squadron received the new presidential Boeing BBJ, the Boeing 737 BBJ is known as Inkwazi, meaning Fish eagle in the Xhosa and Zulu languages. The aircraft is based on the Boeing 737-700 and has an upgraded interior and it arrived in South Africa on 21 October 2002. The following information was revealed when then Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu responded to a question posed by the Democratic Alliances Sheik Shahid Esau in Parliament. The following information was disclosed in response to another question posed to Sisulu by Advocate L H Max of the Democratic Alliance, all VIP flight information has since been made classified for security reasons. In 2012 it was found that two aircraft had followed Jacob Zumas Boeing BBJ flight into John F Kennedy International Airport, the aircraft were using SAAF callsigns. The aircraft were a Bombardier Global Express and a South African Airways Airbus A340, the Democratic Alliance said that Sisulu should take responsibility and explain why the aircraft were used. In 2012 plans were announced to acquire a new Boeing 777 VIP aircraft for the SAAF in a R2 billion deal, the order was cancelled after the offer had lapsed
25.
22 Squadron SAAF
–
22 Squadron is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a maritime helicopter squadron operating Lynx and Oryx helicopters for the South African Navy, the squadron was formed in Durban on 1 July 1942 by renaming 31 Flight to 22 Squadron. It was equipped with ex-SAA Junkers Ju 86s as well as a number of Avro Ansons and it had a relatively unremarkable period of duty in World War II, being engaged mainly in coastal patrols as part of Coastal Command SAAF. In mid 1945 it was flying Lockheed Venturas from Gibraltar, under the control of AHQ Malta at Valletta and it was disbanded at Idku in Egypt on 24 October 1945. Following the war, it was recreated in 1954 and equipped with Lockheed Venturas. In 1978, it received a complement of Aérospatiale Alouette IIIs, at the end of the 1980s, the Westland Wasps were withdrawn from service, but the squadron received a number of Aérospatiale Pumas in 1991 when it was amalgamated with 31 Squadron. The Pumas were later replaced with the Atlas Oryx M2 and this squadron is the sole maritime helicopter squadron of the SAAF, and therefore provides all helicopters, air and ground crew for operation aboard South African Navy vessels. One of the M2s was written off after a landing in July 2004. Wasp helicopters from the squadron were involved in the rescue of South African Navy personnel in the South Atlantic following the sinking of the SAS President Kruger in 1982. The squadron also gained recognition in 2002 during the high-profile rescue of the Magdalena Oldendorff which was trapped in the Antarctic ice. 22 Squadrons two Oryx M2s were embarked aboard the S. A. Agulhas for the successful operation, apart from official military support the squadron is involved in mountain rescue and air-sea rescue operations, fire fighting, crime prevention and humanitarian relief in the event of disasters. The squadrons Alouette IIIs were retired in August 2007, the first of four Westland Super Lynx 300 helicopters for use aboard the South African Navys new Valour class frigates, was delivered on 13 July 2007. It was accompanied to AFB Ysterplaat on its first flight in South Africa by two Oryx and an Alouette III, Junkers Ju 86 Avro Anson Lockheed Ventura Westland Wasp Aérospatiale Puma SAS President Kruger Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Ten Bombers, South Africa at War, Military and Industrial Organisation and Operations in connection with the conduct of War, 1939–1945. 22 Squadron home page South African Super Lynx 300 at 2007 Paris Air Show Rock is hard, people are soft (article about helicopter-based Search & Rescue in South Africa
26.
41 Squadron SAAF
–
41 Squadron is a light transport squadron of the South African Air Force. It was formed in 1940, it is based at AFB Waterkloof. 41 Squadron was formed at AFS Waterkloof on 16 October 1940 as an army co-operation squadron equipped with the Hawker Hartbees aircraft, serving in East Africa. On 1 September 1941 the squadron received a number of Curtiss Mohawks, the squadron remained behind in Abyssinia in 1942 when the rest of the South African forces moved into the Western Desert, with some Hurricanes being taken on strength in mid-1942. By 1943 the squadron had fully converted to Hurricane Mk Is and in April–May 1943 it moved from Kenya to Egypt. The squadron was used in a role and was responsible for the air defence of central. The only offensive operation was a fighter sweep over Crete on 23 July 1943. In February 1944 the squadron received Spitfire Mk. IXs to supplement the Hurricanes, all of the Hurricanes were replaced with Spitfire Mk V Cs in April 1944. By mid-April, the unit was responsible for the air protection of Palestine. Its wartime role ended on 30 November 1944 when it was disbanded, the squadron was reformed in January 1963 as the first Citizen Force part-time Army co-operation unit, flying Austers and later Cessna 185s from Grand Central Aerodrome. It was transferred back from army control to the SAAF in May 1973 when it was moved to AFB Swartkop, in February 1974 the squadron received Aermacchi AM.3 Bosboks and in July 1976 the Aermacchi AL-60 Kudu, aircraft were added to the inventory. In 1988 the squadron was re-equipped with Cessna 208 Caravans, in 1996 Beechcraft King Airs were acquired from 21 and 35 Squadrons and a Pilatus PC-12 was added in July 1997. Currently, the squadron is based at AFB Waterkloof and is responsible for air transport, air logistical support, landward airborne operations, routine air support
27.
44 Squadron SAAF
–
44 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a light transport squadron, the squadron flew Dakota DC3s as part of No. The Squadron at Ondangwa also flew the ambulance Dakota and the 20mm gunship named Dragon,44 Squadron at Air Force Base Swartkop mainly flew three aircraft, DC4 Skymaster, DC3 Dakota and Viscount
28.
85 Combat Flying School SAAF
–
85 Combat Flying School is a unit of the South African Air Force. It is a jet flight-training and combat operations school, it was first formed in 1982 at AFB Pietersburg and it relocated to AFB Hoedspruit on 1 January 1993 due to the closure of AFB Pietersburg. The school also has a reserve role, although it has publicly been stated that the school will not be used operationally unless a very urgent need arises. The school shares this facility with the SAAF Gripen community, during October 2007 there were several pilots that went solo on the Hawk Mk.120. The squadron also participated in the annual South Africa National Defence Force preparation exercises and fired live cannon rounds and they also had a successful weapons deployment exercise to AFB Bloemspruit in 2007
29.
87 Helicopter Flying School SAAF
–
87 Helicopter Flying School is a unit of the South African Air Force. It is a flight training school. The Helicopter Conversion Unit was established at Ysterplaat on 1 February 1968 to fulfill the helicopter pilot, the present unit was formed on 9 April 1968 by redesignating Training Flight,17 Squadron at AFB Ysterplaat. The unit, equipped with Alouette II and IIIs, took over responsible for Helicopter Conversion Training of SAAF pilots, the Helicopter Conversion Unit became an autonomous unit in 1971 and in January 1973 the units name changed to 87 Advanced Flying School. In 1973 the Alouette IIs were retired and transferred to the Rhodesian Air Force, B Flight,16 Squadron, also stationed at AFB Ysterplaat, took responsibility for advanced helicopter training from 16 September 1974 to January 1975
30.
Test Flight and Development Centre SAAF
–
The Test Flight and Development Centre is a unit of the South African Air Force. It is a test flight and evaluation organisation, due to South Africas apartheid policies of the 1960s, a number of countries instituted an arms boycott against it. In 1974 another ETPS graduate took over, and was tasked with creating a specialised test flying, the end result was that the Test Flight and Development Centre was officially established on 10 August 1975 at AFB Waterkloof. Once the Denel Overberg Test Range near Bredasdorp on the southern Cape coast had been completed, the TFDCs largest running project was the operational evaluation of the BAe Hawk Mk.120 and certification of its Adour 951 turbofan engine. Weapons integration was performed, with the SAAFs series of pre-fragmented bombs. The programme is now complete, with one Hawk airframe remaining on strength with TFDC. Hawk has entered SAAF service as of 2006, in 2009 the Spanish Air Force performed integration tests of the Taurus missile on their F-18 Hornet fighters at TFDC. The TFDC received the SAAFs first JAS39 Gripen in 2006, the aircraft is flown through an extensive test programme, integrating weapons and SAAF specific avionics etc. During November 2007, the Gripen was shown taking off loaded with eight dumb bombs during weapons integration trials. During 2006 the German Air Force deployed six Panavia Tornado aircraft to TFDC for live Kormoran anti ship missile firings with a German Navy task group in joint exercises with South African forces
31.
Aerobatics
–
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft altitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment, additionally, some helicopters, such as the MBB Bo 105, are capable of limited aerobatic maneuvers. An example of a fully aerobatic helicopter, capable of performing loops, the term is sometimes referred to as acrobatics, especially when translated. Most aerobatic maneuvers involve rotation of the aircraft about its longitudinal axis or lateral axis, other maneuvers, such as a spin, displace the aircraft about its vertical axis. Maneuvers are often combined to form a complete sequence for entertainment or competition. Aerobatic flying requires a set of piloting skills and exposes the aircraft to greater structural stress than for normal flight. In some countries, the pilot must wear a parachute when performing aerobatics, aerobatic training enhances a pilots ability to recover from unusual flight conditions, and thus is an element of many flight safety training programs for pilots. While many pilots fly aerobatics for recreation, some choose to fly in aerobatic competitions, in the early days of flying, some pilots used their aircraft as part of a flying circus to entertain. Among the earliest innovators in aerobatics the Frenchman Euclids name is foremost, maneuvers were flown for artistic reasons or to draw gasps from onlookers. In due course some of these maneuvers were found to allow aircraft to gain tactical advantage during combat or dogfights between fighter aircraft. Aerobatic aircraft fall into two categories—specialist aerobatic, and aerobatic capable, specialist designs such as the Pitts Special, the Extra 200 and 300, and the Sukhoi Su-26M and Sukhoi Su-29 aim for ultimate aerobatic performance. This comes at the expense of general use such as touring. Flight formation aerobatics are flown by teams of up to sixteen aircraft, some are state funded to reflect pride in the armed forces while others are commercially sponsored. Coloured smoke trails may be emitted to emphasise the patterns flown and/or the colours of a national flag, usually each team will use aircraft similar to one another finished in a special and dramatic colour scheme, thus emphasising their entertainment function. Teams often fly V-formations — they will not fly directly behind another aircraft because of danger from wake vortices or engine exhaust, aircraft will always fly slightly below the aircraft in front, if they have to follow in line. Aerobatic maneuvers flown in an aircraft are limited in scope as they cannot take advantage of the gyroscopic forces that a propeller driven aircraft can exploit. Jet-powered aircraft also tend to fly faster, which increases the size of the figures. Jet aerobatic teams often fly in formations, which restricts the maneuvers that can be safely flown
32.
Silver Falcons
–
The Silver Falcons is the aerobatic display team of the South African Air Force. Based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg near Cape Town, the Silver Falcons fly the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II, the main purpose of the Silver Falcons is to enhance the image of the South African Air Force, encourage recruitment and instill national pride through public display. Originally formed in 1946 as the Bumbling Bees and flying the T-6 Harvard, the Bumbling Bees flew a 4 ship formation and made a name for themselves by regularly taking part in South African airshows. The team disbanded in the late 1950s leaving a gap in South African aviation, during 1966 the Aermacchi MB-326 Impala arrived and the Bumbling Bees were reinstated under the command of Colonel Chris Prins. The Silver Falcons were based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg on the West Coast of South Africa, the team went from strength to strength and the idea to change the name to a more bilingual-sounding name came about. The Silver Falcons team was founded and gave their first display in November 1967 at the opening of the Atlas Aircraft Corporation. During 1986, under the command of Commandant Dave Knoesen, the team was expanded to a 5 ship to bring about more exciting display postures, the aircraft were also painted in orange, white and blue to represent the then current South African flag. During 1994 with a new flag, the aircraft were repainted to represent the colours of the SA Air Force, blue, light blue. The Silver Falcons continued to operate from Hoedspruit until in 1998, the decision was partly made due to the shortage of flying instructors at 85 CFS and also to display the new turbo-prop trainer to the nation. During this move, the team was again reduced to a 4 ship. For nine years, the team flew in the standard red, in 2008,6 of the Astras were repainted in a unique blue and white livery and the team was expanded to a 5-ship again. Paint for the respray was donated by a local paint supplier, the first display in the new livery was flown at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Expo at AFB Ysterplaat in September 2008. The Pilatus PC-7 Mk II is a high performance single-engine turboprop aircraft and it is powered by a 750 shp limited to 700 Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C engine and is designed for G-loadings between +7 and −3.5 G, making it ideal for aerobatics. The aircraft has a tandem configuration with Martin Baker CH-11A ejection seats. For all practical purposes the PC-7 Mk II can be seen as a hybrid between the PC-7 and the newer PC-9, both these aircraft types are popular as military trainers and are in service with more than 30 air forces. Like the PC-9, the PC-7 Mk II features a larger cockpit, upgraded airframe and instruments and is fitted with a ventral airbrake, specifications Wing span —10.19 m Length —10.13 m Max Operating Speed —300 knots Maximum Mach Number — Mach 0. 2 October 1993 — During an airshow at Lanseria Airport, Falcon 5 crashed during a solo display sequence. Capt Charlie Rudnick ejected moments after structural failure caused the wing of his Impala Mk I to separate from the fuselage
South Africa
South African Air Force
Media related to 15 Squadron SAAF at Wikimedia Commons