Aviation in South Africa

[Marcus]

SAAF Buccaneer at Cassinga

Hi all

During the forum meet last Sunday it became clear to me that the recent history of the SAAF, particularly its role in the 1966 - 1989 Angolan/SWA (Namibia) "Border War" might not be that familiar to most of the forum members. For those interested in the topic I will attempt from time to time to post relevant links, photos etc pertaining to this conflict. A little known war here in NZ but one that played a huge part in our lives in SA during the 70's and 80's ultimately changing the course of history for South and Southern Africa.

(Dave I have posted this intro on this tread as I am not actually sure were I should post it? Please feel free to move it as you see fit?)

The first link I am posting today focuses on the exploits of Andries Marais a 24 Sqdn SAAF Buccaneer pilot during the SADF's attack on Cassinga in Southern Angola in 1978. Unfortunately the formating of the site is wayyyy out but it is the best site for the story as it has the photos that go with the event.

Ok, here goes:

www.avcollect.com/marais.htm

[roan]

Thanks for all the great pics Bearcat. The quality is superb!

[Bearcat]

Considering that this Carvair (9J-PAA) has not been flown for about 5 years it must be with considerable effort that it maintains its broad smile !!
Pic taken 30 Jan 2010

[stu]

Perhaps it lives in hope?

Thanks for all the photos Bearcat

[Bearcat]

Photographed a friends RV-7 over the weekend

[Dave Homewood]

That's a stiking colour scheme on that RV-7, really nice. Great photos too! Neat rego too.

[baz62]

Great photos and yes what a cool rego!

[Bearcat]

The Golden Age of Aviation
Dak ZS-NTE 27 March 2010 at Rand (FAGM)

[Dave Homewood]

Lovely photo Bruce. That must have been quite a sunset.

[Bearcat]

Mar 8, 2010 11:03:23 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Lovely photo Bruce. That must have been quite a sunset.

We have truly great African sunsets at Rand. Sadly there is often not any aircraft outside to include in the shot as they are already in their hangars !!

This is one I took of ZLIN 526F ZS-WTA on Sunday

[Bearcat]

HS-748 TY-21A 7 March at Rand (FAGM)

OK ..now hands up how many of you knew where the registration TY is from ....without looking it up !!

[Naki]

Swaziland?

[FlyingKiwi]

Looking at the flag on the tail, is it Equatorial Guinea or somewhere like that?

[Naki]

Actually I checked in the end its Benin

[Bearcat]

Mar 12, 2010 23:27:06 GMT 12 Naki said:

Actually I checked in the end its Benin

Correct ... and what you see in the pic is 50% of the flyable component of the Benin Air Force !!

[corsair67]

And that's a very nice looking HS-748 too.

I suppose if you only have 2 aircraft, it's probably easy to keep them looking nice and shiny.

Speaking of nice new aircraft: have the SAAF put their new single seat Gripens through their paces yet?

[beagle]

that 748 wouldn't be ex RAAF or had a lily on it at one stage

[b10m]

Would it be safe to assume that the Benin AF has never known a pilot shortage?

[Bearcat]

Mar 13, 2010 17:26:50 GMT 12 beagle said:

that 748 wouldn't be ex RAAF or had a lily on it at one stage

The HS-748 is apparently ex Belgium AF.
Its in VIP configuration and I was told in was ex "The Queens Flight"...... did not know they had such a thing!

[Bearcat]

Harvard flypast at Rand today (23 May 2010)