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Hartbeeste by lVaterkloof Lugstasie

in

1938 (Daoe Becker aersameling)

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1933 the SAAF was still a very small organisation and

though an aircraft industry had been established producing the ri7estland \7apiti, the bulk of its equipment still consisted of\forld \7ar I vintage aircraft.

During this year Sir Pierre van Ryneveld, KBE MC (promoted to Brig Gen) became the Chief of General Staff and The Hon Mr Oswald Pirow became the new Minister of Defence in the Hertzog-Smuts Coalition Government.

Pirow was a controversial person who is often remembered for promoting the use of the bushcart as a tactical transport vehicle. He did however have some fairly progressive ideas on the promotion of aviation in South Africa.

As a result of the Italian activities in East Africa and the conquest of Abyssinia by General de Bono in 1935-36, Pirow proposed a Five Year expansion plan for the South African Air Force which included the training of I 000 pilots by flying clubs and flying schools throughout South Africa by 1942, as well as the purchase of new aircraft, some of which were to be built under licence in South Africa.

Part of this plan involved the building of a new operational air station in the Pretoria area.

As Zwartkop Air Station was the home of the Central Flying School, it was decided to establish a separate operational air station at a new site to the east of Zwartkop.

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On 25 September 1935, 150 Morgen was purchased from Petrus and Hendrik Steyn and on 4 October, 100 morgen from Nicolas van der \Walt. This was followed by

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in total

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further purchase in December, a total of over 325 morgen being allocated for the new air station. More ground was later purchased from both the Steyns and Van der Walts.

An airfield measuring | 775 x I 550 yards was constructed and two large hangars were built along the pattern then produced by Dorman Long (Pty) Ltd. Though not yet fully established, \0aterkloof was used at this stage as an airfield for forced landing practice and other training. The field was sometimes referred to as "C" Forced Landing Ground, though this designation was

a L

o o

BY CAPT/DEUR KAPT DAVE BECKER

In

1933 was die SALM nog

'n klein

organisasie, en

alhoewel 'n lugvaartuig-industrie gevestig was en die \festland Vapiti vervaardig het, het die grootste deel van die toerusting bestaan uit vliegtuie uit die Eerste \76reloorlog.

In dieselfde jaar is Sir Pierre van Ryneveld, KBE MC,

tot

Brig-genl bevorder en het ook die Hoof van die Generale Staf geword, terwyl Sy Edele mnr Oswald Pirow die nuwe Minister van Verdediging in die Hertzog-SmutsKoalisieregering geword het-.........-- -

Pirow was 'n omstrede figuur wat dikwels onthou word vir die bevordering van die gebruik van die boskar as 'n taktiese vervoermiddel. Hy het egter sekere redelik progressiewe idees t.o.v. die bevordering van lugvaart in Suid-Afrika gehad.

As gevolg van die Italiaanse aktiwiteite in Oos-Afrika

en die verowering van Abessinie deur Genl De Bono in 1935-36, het Pirow 'n vyf-jaar-uitbreidingsplan vir die SALM voorgestel wat ingesluit het die opleiding, teen 1942, van I 000 vlieeniers deur vliegklubs en vliegskole oor die hele land, asook die aankoop van nuwe vliegtuie, waarvan sommige in lisensie vervaardig sou word in Suid-

Afrika.

'n Deel van die plan het behels die bou van 'n nuwe In die Pretoria-gebied was Zwartkop Lugstasie die tuiste van die Central Flying School, dus is 'n voorstel gemaak dat 'n afsonderlike operasionele lugstasie op 'n nuwe standplaas oos van operasionele lugstasie.

Zwartkop gevestig moes word.

Op 25 September 1935 is 150 morg grond aangekoop van Petrus en Hendrik Steyn en op 4 Oktober 100 morg van Nicolas van der Valt. Dit is opgevolg deur 'n verdere aankoop in Desember. 'n Totaal van meer as 325 morg is toe aan die nuwe vliegstasie toegewys. Later is nog grond aangekoop van die Steyns en Van der Walts. 'n Vliegveld vanl 775 x I 550 jaart is aangele en twee groot vliegtuigloodse is volgens die planne van Dorman Long (Edms) Bpk gebou.

Alhoewel nog nie ten volle gevestig nie, is \Waterkloof op daardie stadium as 'n vliegveld vir noodlandingsoefening en ander opleiding gebruik. Soms is na die vliegveld

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Offisiere by lVaterkloof Lugstasie

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in

1939: (aan

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Kige,CTGould(Adjudant),

R F Armstrong, C J Bah, G \V Lucas en S P Palmer (The Fly Paper)

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H G Willmott (later Maj Gen) who was the first perrnanent Officer Commanding of \X/aterkloof Air Col

Lt C T Gould, adjudant

in

1939

(SA

by IVAS

Press Seruice)

Station (UDF Archiaes oia i

SAAF Museum collection)

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also linked to another field after'$Taterkloof had opened.

On 8 October 1936, 2lLtC S Coppen and fuM Steyn, who were engaged in parachute supply dropping practice

over \faterkloof Aerodrome, landed in their \Tapiti to pick up more parachutes. \7hile taxying out again a bolt on the undercarriage V-strut sheared, probably due to the unprepared nature ofthe field at that stage and the aircraft nosed over.

On 30 January 1937 Cadet Launder (a Transvaal Air

Training School pupil) was practicing forced landings on the field in a DH.9. He omitted to switch fuel ranks, causing engine failure. He managed to land the DH.9 successfully with no damage.

verwys as die "C" Noodlandingsveld, alhoewel hierdie benaming ook aan 'n ander vliegveld gekoppel is nadat \(aterkloofgeopen is.

Op 8 Oktober 1935 was 2/Lt C S Coppen en lugwerktuigkundige Steyn betrokke in 'n valskerm-voorraadafgooi-oefening oor \Waterkloof-vliegveld en het in hulle Wapiti geland om ander voorrade-valskerme op te pik. Toe hulle weer uitry, het 'n bout uit die V-styl van die onderstel uitgeskeur, moontlik a.g.v. van die ruwe aard van die vliegveld op daardie stadium, en die vliegtuig het op sy neus te staan gekom.

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Op 30 Januarie 1937 was Kadet Launder, 'n Transvaal Air Training School-leerling, besig om noodlandingsoefeninge in 'n DH 9 op die vliegveld uit te voer. Hy het daarin geslaag om die DH 9 sonder enige skade aan die

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vliegtuig te land.

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lvaterkloof Air station in september 1939 (photo sAAF oia Daoe Becker collection)

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The first serious accident happened on 7 July 1937.

Pupil Pilot Rose-Martin was being insrmcted by ZlI-tC M

Die eerste ernsrige ongeluk het op 7 Julie 1937 plaasgevind. Leerlingvlieenier Rose-Martin het instruk-

Smuts in \Tapiti 605, the first built in South Africa. RoseMartin was on final approach when he saw another aircraft which he thought was too close. He opened full power and turned away violently. The aircraft, its trim set for landing, reared up, stalled, spun and crashed a total writeoff. Smuts and Rose-Marrin were luckier althoyefi injured, they lived to tell the tale.

/I-t C M Smuts in'n \il7apiti, 605, die eerste wat in Suid-Afrika gebou is. Rose-Martin was met 'n laaste nadering besig toe hy 'n ander vliegtuig sien wat na sy oordeel te naby was. Hy het volgas gegee en kragtig weggedraai. Die vliegtuig, met sy trim gestel vir landing, het skielik voor opgelig, gestaak, getol en neergestort 'n totale wrak. Smuts en Rose-Martin was gelukkig. Al-was hulle beseer, het hulle bly leefom die verhaal te vertel.

Op I Augustus 1938 is die vliegveld, genaamd \flaterkloof Lugstasie, geopen en is Lt Kol C V Meredith (ook bevelvoerder van die Aircraft and Artillery Depot) as tydelike bevelvoerder aangestel. Op 26 April 1939 is Lt Kol H G \Tillmott aangestel as die bevelvoerder van

On I August 1938 the aerodrome, named ttrfaterkloof Air Station, was opened. Lt Col C \07 Meredith (also OC of the Aircraft and Artillery Depot) was appointed as temporary Officer Commanding. On26 April 1939, Lt Col H G \Willmott was appointed as OC of Waterkloof Air Station.

Two squadrons were initially established there, No I and 2 (Transvaal) squadrons with Officer Commanding, Maf R H "Bob" Preller and Mai R C Hiemstra (later Chief of the SADF). The squadrons were distinguished by coloured bands or flashes on the aircraft but full details ofthese do not appear to have survived.

Each Squadron was comprised of three flights of four Hawker Hartbees (of which 65 were built locally) ,12 officers and 39 other ranks. Some of the officers based there at

the time included Lt C T Gould (Adjutant), Lt's J G J Krige, R F Armstrong (later Maj Genl), C J Balt, C W LucasandSPPalmer.

Another unit, No 3 (Communications) squadron equipped with Airspeed Envoy and DH 66 Hercules aircraft, was formed on 28 November 1938. They were also equipped with Hartbees aircraft and despite the formation date officially quoted, one of rhese was reporred being in an accident on 26 September 1938!

Seven Envoys had been purchased and were shared between SAA and the SAAF, while the huge 3-motor Hercules biplanes, had been purchased from Imperial Airways

in

1934 for a nominal sum.

At least one was used for locust

spraying by the SAAF in 1935.

Die Hawker Fury, 'n enkel sitplek oegter aliegtuig zt:as ook

by

IVaterkloof gebruik (Daoe Becker collection)

sies onwang v an

2

\faterkloof Lugstasie. Twee eskaders is aanvanklik daar gevestig, No I en 2 (Transvaal) Eskaders met bevelvoerders Maj R H "Bob" Preller en Maj R C Hiemstra (later Hoof van die SA\7). Die eskaders is van mekaar onderskei deur gekleurde bande of flitse op die vliegtuie, maar volle besonderhede hiervan het skynbaar nie behoue gebly nie.

Elke eskader was saamgestel uit vier Hawker Hartbees-vliegtuie (waarvan 65 plaaslik vervaardig was), 12 offisiere en 39 manskappe. Van die ander offisiere wat toe daar gestasioneer was, het ingesluit Lt C T Gould (adjudant), Lte J G J Krige, R F Armstrong (later Maj-Genl), C J Balt, C S7 Lucas en S P Palmer.

'n Ander eskader, No 3 (Kommunikasie)

Eskader,

toegerus met die Airspeed Envoy en DH 66 Hercules, is op 28 November 1938 gestig. Die eskader was ook toegerus

met Hartbeesvliegtuie en, ten spyte van die amptelike stigtingsdatum, is berig dar een van hulle op 26 September

i938 in 'n ongeluk betrokke was. Sewe Envoys is aangekoop en is deur die SAL en SALM gedeel, terwyl die

groot drie-motorige Hercules-tweedekkers in 1934 van Imperial Airways aangekoop is teen 'n nominale bedrag.

Ten minste een is deur die SALM in 1935 gebruik vir sprinkaanbespuiting.

An Airspeed Enooy of 3 (Communications) Sqn, Waterkloof pictured outside 9 Hangar at Zwartkop Air Station (Daoe Becker collection)

The standard operational type during tg38l3g was the Hawker Hartbees of u:hich 65 uere buiklocally and equippeil

at lVaterkloof ( Daz;e B ecker C ollection)

I,

2 and

3

Sqns

DH66 Hercules of 3 (Communications) Sqn(Daae Becker collection)

first Hawker Hurricane flown by the SAAF, a Mk

I, LI70g WAS (the official abbreviation for \faterkloof Air Station) provided aircraft for the Voortrekker Celebrations on 16 December 1938 which included a flypast. At The

(Papenfus oia SAAF Museum)

VAS (die amptelike afkorting vir \faterkloof Air Station) het vliegtuie vir die Voortrekker-feesviering op 16 Desember 1938 voorsien, wat 'n defileervlug ingesluit het.

this stage, 3 Sqn was also operating several Hawker Furies.

One of these was damaged in an accident on 6 February

Op hierdie stadium het 3 Eskader ook verskeie Hawker Furies gebruik. Een daarvan is in ,n ongeluk op 6 Feb-

t939.

ruarie 1939 beskadig.

Kort daarna, op 14 Maart i939, is 3 Eskader ontbind as gevolg van 'n personeeltekort en sy pligte is oorgedra na

Shortly afrer this, on 14 March 1939, 3 Sqn was disbanded as a result of shortage of personnel and its duties were transferred to the Reserve Aircraft park at Zwartkop Air Station. No 3 Sqn reformed as a Bomber Squadron at Germiston with OC, Maj J M B Botes on 14 September with JU 86's only ro be renumbered 15 Sqn on lg September! It reformed yet again at Port Elizabeth with 6 Hawker Harts as a Bomber Fighter squadron but disbanded again on I December 1939 and become 13 Squadron. Such was the flurry of activity and re-organization during the first few months of the war!

On 1 February L939, 1 Sqn took part in an air show at Mossel Bay where Hartbees 850, flown by Flt Lt D p Frost and Air Mech W Benade, crashed during a low level roll, killing both crew members. Another officer on the squadron, 2 Lt J E "Jack" Frost later distinguished himself as the SAAF's top scoring ace of WW II with l4V: victories and a DFC and Bar. In February 1939, rhe first three Hawker Hurricane Mk 1's, L1708, LI7l0 and LlTll arrived ar Durbanfrom England and were assembled by Natal Aviation at Sramford Hill. The first of these to fly was Ll70g on 6 March and the following day it flew to \$Taterkloof in I hour 30 minutes at an average speed of 265 mph. The pilot was Maj Preller. Initially, a total of seven were delivered.

On 14 March, after being assembled, Blenheim Mk I bomber, L7431, was delivered from Cape Town by Lt Col Hector Daniel, Director of Air Services, and Maior R preller in 3 hours 22 minutes at an average speed of 242 mph.

The following month, Fairey Battle K9402 was delivered to Cape Town. It was first flown on I I April 1939, and afterwards was flown ro'S(AS by Maj J E O Marais.

These were the only modern aircraft the SAAF had when war was declared on 1 September 1939. On 26 September 1939 both I and2 Transvaal squadrons were redesignated Bomber Fighter (B/F) Squadron and members of the latter squadron led by Capt L \fillmott rook part in an expedition to Ovamboland in December 1939. Just prior

die Reserve Aircraft Park by Zwartkop Air Station. 3 Eskader is op 14 September herstig tot ,n bomwerperes_ kader by Germiston mer bevelvoerder Maj J M B Botes maar is weer op 18 September hernommer tot 15 Eskader! '$Teereens

is dit by Port Elizabeth herstig as 'n bomwerper_

vegeskader

met 6 Hawker Harts, maar is weer op I

Desember 1939 ontbind en word toe 13 Eskader. So 'n deurmekaar gejaagdheid van aktiwiteite en herorganisasie het die eerste paar maande van die oorlog gekenmerk.

Op I Februarie 1939 het I Eskader aan ,n lugskou op Mosselbaai deelgeneem. 'n Hartbees, 850, geloods deur Vl

Lt D

P Frost en Lugwerktuigkundige \f Benade, het neergestort gedurende 'n laagvliegtol en albei is gedood. 'n Ander offisier in die eskader,2LLJ E .,Jack" Frost het hom later onderskei deur die SALM se baasvliednier van

\ilfo II te word met 147: oorwinnings agter sy naam, asook 'n DFC en balkie.

In Februarie 1939 het die eerste drie Hawker Hur_ ricane Mk I's, L1708, L I7l0 en L l7l1 vanaf Engeland in Durban aangekom en is deur Natal Aviation by Stamford Hill gemonteer. Op 6 Maart was L1708 die eerste om te vlieg en het dit die volgende dag na \Taterkloof gevlieg in I uur 30 minure teen 'n gemiddelde spoed van 265 mpu.

Die vlieâ‚Źnier was Maf Preller. 'n Totaal van sewe vliegtuie is aanvanklik afgelewer.

Na montering is 'n Blenheim Mk I bomwerper, Ll43l op 14 Maart vanaf Kaapstad deur Lt Kol Hector Daniel, Direkteur van Lugdienste en Mai preller gevlieg in3 uur 22 minute reen 'n gemiddelde spoed van 2 42 mpu.

Die volgende maand is 'n Fairey Battle K9402 in Kaapstad afgelewer. Dit is eers op l l April 1939 gevlieg en \fAS gevlieg.

Toe oorlog verklaar is op 1 September 1939, was dit die enigste moderne vliegtuie war die SALM gehad het.

Op 26 September 1939 is beide I en 2 Transvaal Eskaders herbenoem tot Bomwerper-vegeskaders (BA/). Lede van is later deur Maj J E O Marais na

4

Eenoan die eerste seu:e Huricane Mk I's; L17I I, met die SALM nr 27 j gemerk op die romp in ztit kalk (Daoe Becker oersameling)

The only Fairey Battle in the SAAF beforeIY\VII was (Dazse Becker collection)

K9402,later

SAAF no 901

to this, between October and December, ten pilots and five Furies had been sent to Durban but the Furies all

laasgenoemde eskader onder aanvoering

became unserviceable.

Ovamboland deelgeneem. Ner voor hierdie ekspedisie, tussen Oktober en Desember, is 10 vliedniers en 5 Furies na Durban gestuur maar die Furies het almal ondiensbaar

On I April 1939, the formation of No 6 (B/F) Sqn was gazetted as a unit of the ACF and was based ar Cape Town.

It would appear that elements of I Sqn were transferred to 6 Sqn on 19 September 1939.

Certainly 5 of its Hurricanes (27I,272,273,274and 275) left for Cape Town on 5 September, on as it turned out, a disastrous flight.

A stop was made at Beaufort \7est after which three of the Hurricanes continued to Cape Town. No 275 being flown by 2 LtD Tyler, had an excessive oil consumption and its No 4 big end bearing failed with Cape Town in sight.

Trailing smoke and with a failing engine, rhere was no time to turn into wind for landing. Tyler landed downwind and overran the Northern boundary of the field into some trees. The aircraft burst into flames and Tyler was killed.

The accident lead to the grounding of the Hurricanes for several months.

The next day 2/Lt R F Armstrong (later Maf Gen) had an engine failure on take off, hit soft sand and a ditch and nosed over damaging his Hurricane,272, seriously.

Right on the eve of WV II, rwo fifths of South Africa's first line fighter strength had been put out of commission!

No I Sqn is recorded as being renumbered l1 Sqn and

van Kapt L lVillmott het in Desember 1939 aan'n ekspedisie na

geraak.

Op I April 1939 is die formasie van No 6 (BlF) Eskader geproklameer as 'n eenheid van die ABM met sy basis in Kaapstad. Dit wil voorkom of elemente van 1 Esk op 19 September na 6 Esk oorgeplaas is.

Vyf van die Hurricanes (27I, 272, 273, 274 en 275) het beslis na Youngsfield vertrek op 5 September op 'n rampspoedige vlug (soos dit later sou blyk).

Daar is op Beaufort-\fles geland, waarna drie van die Hurricanes die vlug na Kaapstad voortgesit het. No 275, geloods deur 2 Lt D Tyler, het 'n hoer olieverbruik gehad en die No 4 grootkoplaer het onklaar geraak terwyl die vliegtuig binne sig van Kaapstad was.

Met rook wat uit die vliegtuig borrel en met 'n stakende enjin, was daar nie tyd om die vliegtuig teen die wind in te draai om te land nie. Tyler het wind-af geland en die vliegtuig het deur die noordelike grens van die vliegveld gebars en teen 'n paar bome gebots. Die vliegtuig het aan die brand geslaan en Tyler het gesterf. Die ongeluk het daartoe gelei dat die vliegtuie vir etlike maande op die grond gehou is.

Die volgende dag het 2/Lt R F Armstrong (larer Gen Mai) enjinstaking tydens opstyging ondervind. Die vliegtuig het sagte sand en 'n sloot getref, en daarna op sy neus tot stilstand gekom. In die proses is die Hurricane, No 272, ernstig beskadig. Op die vooraand van \fO II was

equipped with Hartbees on I December 1939 in accordance with a new policy in which fighter squadrons were allocated numbers 1-10, bomber squadrons ll-30, coastal squadrons 3l-39, army co-operation squadrons 40-49 and transport squadrons 50-59. This policy was short lived however as squadrons changed roles and adopted dual roles and thus it was eventually abandoned. On ll May 1940, 11 Sqn left for Easr Africa where it distinguished itself on operations, despite flying the obsolete and under-

spyte van die feit dat hulle met uigediende en swakaangedrewe Fairey Battles moes vlieg.

The SAAF's first Blenheim, a Mk I , Ll43I , being inspected by the

In

Hon Mr Oswald Pirow, Minister of Defence, at WAS (SAAF ztia Dazte Becku)

in

1939

twee vyfdes van Suid-Afrika se eerste linie-vegvliegtuigsterkte buite werking.

Op l1 Mei 1940 het 11 Eskader na Oos-Afrika vertrek. Hier het die Eskader hul onderskei in operasies, ten

foto, dra die SALM se eerste Blenheim t?Dee nommers, nr 401 , op die romp en die ou RAF nommer, L1431, onder die

hierdie

SALM

.

T

p.hoto of an I I S qn H artb \yfR Olioer)

h: :ft^y 1939 (C

in

e e s,

flying near \V aterklo of

powered Fairey Battle. No 6 Sqn ar Cape Town, not hav_ ing achieved very much due to unserviceability, was dis_ banded and re-formed as I Sqn on I December 1939 with four unserviceable Hurricanes. By January they were fly_ ing again and were transferred to \faterkloof on I May where after re-grouping and taking over 6 Furies, they left

for Egypt to fetch Gladiators which they ferried to East

Africa.

No 2 Squadron which had a new OC, Capt J A de Vos (appointed on 8 October) followed suit on 3 December to become 12 Sqn, initially flying Hartbees but re-equipping with Ansons on I May 1940 and Junkers Ju g6,s on 17 May. It left N7aterkloof for East Africa on22May and was the first squadron to see action ,,up North,', actually being in the air already, heading for its rarger, 3 hours beforewar was officially declared on Italy.

In December 1939 the station's strength consisted of 43 Hawker Hartbees, 2 Hawker Furies, 3 Hawker Hur_ ricanes and I Fairey Battle.

Following a request by the Director General Air Force, on I 8 September I 939 \$Taterkloof became a,,work_ ing up" station from November for the establishment and training of squadrons before leaving for pastures new.

No 13 Sqn was formed on 13 January 1940 with OC,

Maj F C Elliott Wilson. At this time, 7 ex-RAF Vickers Valentias had been acquired by the SAAF from the RAF in the Middle East as transport aircraft and a party of l3 Sqn member under Maj R H preller went North to collect these large, ultra-slow, twin engined biplanes in Cairo and fly them back to the Union.

Capt St Elmer Trurer took command of 13 Sqn on 29 February and the squadron initially operated g Tiger Moths, one of which was destroyed in an accident on 19 April, then later a few well worn Hawker Harts, transfer_ red from the Service Flying Training School at Kimberley.

Een.oan 12 Esk se Junkers Becker oersameling)

Ju

86,s

in Mei 1940 (SALM oia Dazte

6 Eskader, in Kaapstad gestasioneer, het ontbind daar hulle nie baie bereik het nie as gevolg van hulle ondiensbaarheid en het hergroepeer as I Eskader op I Desember 1939 met vier ondiensbare Hurricanes. Teen Januarie was hulle weer in die lug en op I Mei is hulle oorgeplaas na Waterkloof. Nadat hulle hergroepeer het en 6 Furies in gebruik geneem het, het hulle hiervandaan na Egipte vertrek waar hulle Gladiators gaan haal het en na

Oos-Afrika oorgebring het.

Op 3 Desember het 2 Eskader, onder ,n nuwe bevelvoerder, Kapt J A de Vos (aangesrel op 8 Oktober) hulle voorbeeld gevolg. Hulle het nou bekend gestaan as 12 Eskader, en het aanvanklik met die Hartbees gevlieg. Op

I Mei 1940 is die Eskader hertoegerus met Ansons en op l 7 Mei met die Junkers Ju 86. Hulle het op 22 Mei vanaf N7aterkloof na Oos-Afrika vertrek en was die eerste eskader in aksie "in die Noorde,', daar hulle in die lug en op pad na hulle teiken was drie urlr ooor oorlog amptelik teen Italid verklaar is.

In Desember 1939 het die stasie se sterkte bestaan uit 43 Hawker Hartbeesre, 2 Hawker Furies, 3 Hawker Hur_

I Fairey Battle. Op die versoek van die Direk_ teur-Generaal Lugdienste op 18 September 1939, het \ilaterkloof vanaf November van daardie jaar ,n afron_ dingstasie geword waar eskaders gevestig en opgelei is voordat hulle nuwe weivelde gaan opsoek het.

Op 13 Januarie 1940 is 13 Eskader gestig, met Mai F C Elliott lfilson as bevelvoerder. Op daardie tydstip het die SALM 7 eertydse RAF Vickers Valentias in die Midde_ Ooste as transportvliegtuie aangeskaf en ,n paar lede van 13 Eskader onder aanvoering van Maj R H preller het ricanes en

noorde na Kairo toe gegaan om hierdie ultra_stadige, tweemotorige tweedekkers terug te vlieg na die Unie toe.

Kapt St Elmer Truter het op 29 Februarie bevel van 13 Eskader oorgeneem. Die eskader het aanvanklik met agt Tiger Moths gevlieg, waarvan een verwoes is in 'n ongeluk op 19 April. Later is 'n paar afgeleefde Hawker A DH66 261 of 13 Sqn taking a band to Piet Retief (SAAF Museum collection)

In February 1940, members of I3 Sqnferried seoen ex-RAF Valen-

tias to South

Afica.

They were accompanied by a Ju 5213m (H

Schaaffl

J

It is recorded that 1 Sqn was re-numbered

11 Sqn on 1939 and equipped rvith Hartbees, follorving a new policy under which numbers rvere allocated as fol-

I December

lows:

Harts na die eskader oorgeplaas vanaf die Diensvlieg Opleirl i n gskooi m Kimberiel'.

Dit is opgeteken dat 1 Eskader hernommer is tot 1l Eskader en op I Desember 1939 op toegerus is met die Hartbees ingevlge 'n nuwe beleid waarvolgens eskaders

Fighter Squadrons

1-10

Bomber Squadrons

I 1-30

Coastal Reconnaissance Squadrons

31-39

Vegeskaders

Arml- Co-operarion Squadrons

40-49

Bomwerpereskaders Kuswageskaders Leerondersteuningseskaders Transporteskaders

Transpon Squadrons so-so This policy rvas short lived however, as squadrons changed roles and adopted dual roles, and was eventually abandoned.

At this stage there was some concern that enemy forces might try to invade South Africa via Mocambique.

Consequently units were mobilised and prepared for a sei-

zure of Lourenco Marques and occupation of that city under the so-called "Z-plan".

As part of these preparations, l3 Sqn was despatched to Pietersburg but soon returned when it became evident that no enemy invasion would take place.

The squadron disbanded on 12 July bur reformed on the same date with 15 Hartbees and two \Wapitis, ex 40 Sqn, but 10 aircraft and most of the personnel were formed into 4l Sqn on 16 October. After hurried preparations 4l Sqn left for East Africa on 30 October.

Following manoeuvres at Lydenburg in January l94l and Mafeking in February more of 13 Sqn's personnel were transferred to 16 Sqn. No 13 Sqn was transferred to Zwartkop Air Station on 17 April l94l and became 43 Sqn, still equipped with Hartbees aircraft.

No 40 Sqn was next ro form on 30 May and during the

to

corner the Italian ships "Timavo" and "Gerusalemme" the latter was intercepted by one of 40 Sqn's aircraft in June. After this, the squadron left for Nairobi, and the start of an exceptional record in the Mid-

attempt

dle East.

On 9 September, 3 Sqn was reformed with Hurricane

I's and exactly a month later left for East Africa.

"Fighting Wasp" badge became well known.

Its

die volgende nortmers toegeken is:

l-10 11 - 30

3r-39 40-49 50-59

Hierdie beleid was egter van korte duur omdat eska-

ders van funksie verander het en ook soms dubbele funksies vervul het, en dit is dus uiteindelik laar vaar.

Op hierdie tydstip is daar gevrees dat vyandelike magte mag probeer om Suid-Afrika via Mosambiek binne te val. As gevolg hiervan is eenhede gemobiliseer en voorberei vir'n besetting en okkupasie van Lourenco Marques as deel vand ie sogenaamde "Z plan" .

As deel van hierdie voorbereidings is 13 Eskader na

Pietersburg gestuur, maar het gou teruggekeer toe dit duidelik geword het dat geen vyandelike inval sou plaasvind nie.

Die Eskader het op 12 Julie ontbind maar is hergroepeer op dieselfde datum met tyftien Hartbeeste en twee \flapitis, voorheen van 40 Esk, firaar op 16 Oktober is tien vliegtuie en die grootste gedeelte van die personeel as 4l Eskader saamgestel. Na gejaagde voorbereidings het die Eskader op 30 Oktober na Oos-Afrika vertrek.

Na maneuvers by Lydenburg in Januarie 1941 en Mafeking in Februarie, is die grootste gedeelte van die eskader se personeel na 16 Esk oorgeplaas. Op 17 April l94l is 13 Eskader na Zwartkop Lugmagstasie oorgeplaas waar hulle as 43 Eskader bekend gestaan het, steeds toegerus met die Hartbeeste.

Hierna is 40 Eskader op 30 Mei gestig, en tydens die ,.Gerusapoging om die Italiaanse skepe "Timavo"

en

lemme" vas te keer, is laasgenoemde in Junie deur een van 40 Eskader se vliegtuie onderskep. Die Eskader het hierna na Nairobi vertrek, en het aan die begin gestaan van'n uitsonderlike rekord in die Midde-Ooste.

Op 9 September is 3 Eskader groepeer met Hurricane l's. Presies 'n maand later het die Eskader na Oos-Afrika vertrek. Hul leuse, "Fighting 'Wasp", het alombekend geword.

?ar:".i::.Li:Lt|..;:it;l:.

&:i;ti3i*ld::i:1!

The Hawker also used b1t

Hart was

I3

Sqn. This Hart at IVAS , was probably one of those ( D aoe B ecker collection)

;f4;;ri- .' 1r::,r1 atWAS withHunicaneMk 1's,

..,,;:;;;i:i:'.ql!;Ga

Die Hartbees was ook gebruik deur 40 Esk wat in Mei 1940 gestig was

(SA lVar Museum Collection ztia Daoe Becker)

On 6 November 34 Flight was formed and departed for East Africa on 5 December.

In December 1940, 14 Sqn was formed at Nanyuki, Kenya, drawing personnel from 12 Sqn. Initially operating three Marylands, they flew reconnaissance operations in East Africa between December 1940 and April 1941.

The Maryland proved very successful in this role and it was decided to expand the squadron. Consequently early in 1941 the OC, Mal C E Martin, returned to the Union to form the Squadron proper, conduct training exercises and take delivery of the Marylands which were now beginning to.arrive in quantity in the Union. These operations took place at \0aterkloof Air Station. \flith the East African campaign to a close, it was decided to send 14 Sqn to Egypt. However, in order not to cause confusion with 14 Sqn RAF already operating Blenheims in the Middle East, it was decided to re-number the squadron, 24 Sqn, and during April t94l the Squadron's aircraft left \Waterkloof for Shandur in Egypt. Along with 12 Sqn, 24 Sqn achieved great distinction in the Middle East and Italy as one of the most famous SAAF units, flying Bostons and later Marauders.

In September 1940, j Sqnre-formed

285 is seen running up at lVaterkloof (Dazte Becker collection)

Op 6 November is 34 Vlug gestig en hulle het

5

Desember na Oos-Afrika vertrek.

In Desember 1940 is 14 Eskader gestig by Nanyuki, Kenia, met personeel wat uit 12 Eskader getrek is. Verkenningsoperasies in Oos-Afrika tussen Desember 1940 en April 1941 is aanvanklik met drie Marylands uitgevoer.

Die Maryland het hom as baie suksesvol in hierdie rol bewys en daar is besluit om die Eskader uit te brei. As

gevolg hiervan het die bevelvoerder, Mai C E Martin, vroeg in 1941 teruggekeer na die Unie om die eintlike eskader te stig, om opleidingsoefeninge uit te voer en om besit te neem van die Marylands wat nou in groot getalle in die Unie begin aankom het. Hierdie operasies het by 'Waterkloof

Air Station plaasgevind.

Met die Oos-Afrikaanse veldtog, wat ten einde begin loop het, is daar besluit om l4 Eskader na Egipte te stuur.

Om egter nie verwarring te veroorsaak met 14 Eskader RAF wat reeds die Blenheim in die Midde-Ooste gevlieg het nie, is daar besluit om die eskader na 24 Eskader te hernommer, en gedurende April 1941 het die eskader se vliegtuie vanaf Shandur, in Egipte, na \flaterkloof vertrek. 24 Eskader (saam met 12 Eskader) het hul in die Midde-Ooste

en Italid onderskei as een van die beroemdste SALM One of the firsr Martin Marylands delioered to South Africa at lVanrkloof duing the expansion of 14 Sqn (A Peyper oia Daz:e Becker collection)

F

= = E-

eenhede. Daar is met Bostons en later met Marauders gev-

lieg.

4 Esk was weer in

Maart 1941 gestig

en was eers

Hawker Huricanes toegerus.

In hierdie foto, tegnici is besig om'nnuwe Hurricane te monteer (SA IVar Museum oia Daoe Becker) met

No 4 Sqn was reformed at \Taterkloof on 24 March 1941 (having previously operated at Durban in 1939) for service under Major J Barret and was initially equipped with Hawker Hurricane l's. The squadron left in April for operational training in East Africa on Mohawks and Furies, before going to Egypt where it distinguished itself in action.

By this time the Joint Air Training Scheme was under way and air schools were being established all over the country. No 23 Air School which had initially been established at Zwartkop Air Station as No 2 SFTS, moved to WAS on 7 April 1941 and as an SFTS (Service Flying Training School) equipped with Hawker Hart Variants, it

Op 24 Maart l94l is 4 Eskader by Waterkloof herstig (nadat hulle voorheen in 1939 in Durban operasioneel was) om diens in die Noorde te gaan verrig. Hulle bevelvoerder was Maj J Barret, en die Eskader is aanvanklik met Hawker Hurricanes toegerus.

In April het die Eskader met Mohawk en Fury-vliegtuie vir operasionele opleiding na Oos-Afrika vertrek.

Hierna is hulle na Egipte waar hulle hul in aksie onderskei het.

Teen hierdie tyd was die Gesamentlike Lugopleidingskema in volle swang en oor die hele land is Lugskole

conducted advanced training.

The next day 43 RAF Officers and 540 other ranks

gestig. 23 Lugskool, wat aanvanklik by Zwartkop Lugstasie gestig is as No 3 SFTS (Diensvlug Opleidingskool) is op 7 April 1941 na Waterkloof lugstasie oorgeplaas en is as 'n diensvlug-opleidingskool toegerus

arrived at Lyttleton Station. The Commanding Officer

met Hawker Hart-varianre. Gevorderde opleiding is hier

was

Flt Lt F D W Hall (later Group Capt and

generally

"Groupie Hall") and on 23 June, the first course started with 38 pupils.

On l9 September, 23 AS suffered their first accident when Hawker Hind, 192, piloted by P/P E J S Feek and P/P OC Venn hit the water in a low level turn over Rietvlei Dam. Feek was killed and Venn was infured. On the same day P/P N K McCullen flying Hind 3006, though overcome by petrol fumes, managed to land ar !(/AS but seriously damaged his aircraft in the process.

On l0 October, the 19 remaining members of the course received their wings, the first of 27 4 pilots trained in the first year. The intake of pupils was increased from 40 to 50 per course and the number of flying hours from 130 known

to

as

160 hours.

With the increase of training

came an increase in accommodation requirements. More hangars were built.

Offices and stores were extended.

onderneem.

Op die volgende dag het 43 RAF offisiere en 540 ander range by Lyttelton stasie gearriveer. Die bevelvoerder was Vl Lt F D \fl Hall, later Groepkaptein en algemeen bekend as "Groupie" Hall. Op 23 Junie het die eerste kursus met 38

Op

leerlinge'n aanvang geneem.

19 September het die eerste ongeluk 23 Lugskool

'n Hawker Hind, 192, geloods deur leerlingvlieeniers E J S Feek en O C Venn die water getref het in 'n lae vlakdraai oor Rietvleidam.

Feek het gesterf en Venn is beseer. Op dieselfde dag is leerlingvlieâ‚Źnier N K McCullen in 'n Hind, 3006 oorweldig deur petroldampe) maar het dit egter reggekry om by Waterkloof Lugstasie te land. Sy vliegtuig is in die proses getref, toe

erg beskadig.

Op l0 Oktober het die negentien oorblywende kursusgangers hulle vlieeniers kentekens ontvang die eerste van tweehonderd-vier-en-sewentig vliedniers wat in die eerste jaar opgelei is. Die inname is vergroot van veertig na

vyftig leerlinge per kursus, en die aantal vliegure van honderd-en-dertig na honderd-en-sestig ure.

Die verhoogde opleiding het 'n toename in die aanvraag na akkommodasie tot gevolg gehad. Meer loodse is gebou. Kantore en pakhuise is uitgebrei.

V,/aterkloof s most famous lVrX/II unit was 23 Air School which was while behind it is a Hart. The photo was taken at ZAS early in I94l

initially at Zwartkop in 1941. In (S AAF Museum C ollection)

is aansienlik uitgebrei en dit het ingesluit die oprig van 'n lugmanmenasie bekend as "Sandhurst" en 'n nuwe offisiersmenasie wat op i Julie 1940 geopen is. Die opening is bygewoon deur die Eerste Minister, Genl J C Smuts en Mev Smuts, Genl Maj Sir Pierre van Ryneveld, Hoof van die Generale Staf en Lugkommodoor "Bunty" Frew, hoof van die Gesamentlike Lugopleidingskema in Suid-Afrika.

23 Lugskool het twee reserwe-eskaders tot stand gebring wat in'n noodtoestand gebruik kon word, naamlik 123 en 133 Eskaders, 'n gebruik wat by die meeste skole vir

modore "Bunty" Frew, head of the Joint Air Training Scheme in South Africa.

23 AS established two reserve squadrons for use in an emergency) namely 123 and 133 Sqns, a practice adopted at most of the advanced schools.

The Hart variants (Hart bombers, Hart Trainers, Hinds and Audaxes) gave way to Harvards in November 1942,with a few remaining for meteorological duties.

The North Ameican Harttard replaced the

Collection)

Hind Trainer

lWoonkwartiere

Living accommodation was drastically increased and included the construction of an airmen's mess known as "Sandhurst" and a new officers mess which was opened on 1 July 1940. The opening was attended by the Prime Minister, Gen J C Smuts, and Mrs Smuts, Mal Gen Sir Pierre van Ryneveld, Chief of General Staff and Air Com-

(S AAF Museum

the foreground is a

gevorderde opleiding ingesluit is.

Die Hart-variante (Hart-bomwerpers, Hart-opleidingsvliegtuie, Hind- en Audaxvliegtuie) in November 1942,het plek gemaak vir die Harvard, maar'n paar is nog daarna vir meteorologiese werk gebruik.

Hart Vaiants in 23 AS . In typical II4VII flnish,

â‚Ź = F

10

a

formation rehearse for a lVings Parade

lI

Accidents, both minor and major, were frequent duing taining. H ere is an unexpected meeting bentseen mso Hinds (G T oin Rooym)

OTU

2841.

It

toff)

On 14 January 1944 it was decided to close 23 AS and this was finally completed by June 1944 thus making way for 1l OTU (Operational Training Unit) which had been formed at ZAS but rransferred to lJfAS on 19 February

Op

II,

14

Januarie 1944 is daar besluit om 23 Lugskool te

sluit, en dit is finaal teen Junie 1944 afgehandel en daar is plek gemaak vir 11 OTU (Operational Training Unit) wat

by ZAS ror srand gekom het. Op 19 Februarie 1944 is I I OTU oorgeplaas na \flAS onder bevel van Maj D B Hauptfleisch en is die eenheid toegerus met die Kir_

1944, equipped with Kittyhawks and under the command

MaiD B Hauptfleisch.

II OTU "A" and "C" Flights were based at \il7AS and II OTU "B" Flighr (formed from l0 Sqn) at Isipingo.

"B" Flight, however, moved to St Albans near port Elizabeth in mid-i944 as the Isipingo airfield was often of

tyhawk.

1l OTU "A" en "C" Vlugte was by \i7AS gebaseer en l1 OTU "B" Vlug (uit l0 Esk saamgestel) by Isipingo.

"B" Vlug het egter in die middel van 1944 na St

waterlogged. In February 1945,,8,'Flight moved from St Albans to Driftsands before being disbanded on 2g July

Albans naby Port Elizabeth verhuis omdat die vliegveld by Isipingo dikwels deurdrenk was. In Februarie 1945 het "B" Vlug van St Albans na Driftsands by port Elizabeth verhuis waar dit op 28 Julie 1945 ontbind is.

t945.

'n Lugfoto oanWaterkloof oroeg in die Tweede lY/AreMoorlog. 'n

used a ztaiet5t of aircraft including this Miles Master was used as a Target Tug at ,,B', Flight, Isipingo (L Rai_

Aaro Tutor staan by die ingang oan een aan die loodse (SALM ztia Becker)

ll

I

Kittyhawkl'sandlV'sinitiallyequippedllOTU.TheseKiuyhawklV's are pictured at Isipingo in 1944.5067 *F" crashedinto

the

Umkomaas Rioer after colliding with another on 30 March 1944 and it is hoped to recooer this airuaft for the SAAF Museum in due course (George Hillary oia Daoe Becker)

Die Kittyhawk

Kittyhawk I's and IV's were initially used, supported

I

en

IV is aanvanklik gebruik en is

by Miles Masters and Harvards, but the narrow undercarriage of the Kittyhawk often led to ground accidents.

ondersteun deur die Miles Master en die Harvard, maar die nou onderstel van die Kittyhawk het dikwels

Consequently Hurricane IIb's and IIc's with their wider undercarriages replaced the Kittyhawks.

On 12 May 1944 ColD H Loftus.DSO DFC took over as OC of the unit and any pupil pilot who ran foul of "DHL" was promised a hot reception! Training continued till July 1945 after which activities were restricted to

ongelukke op die grond veroorsaak.

Gevolglik het die Hurricane IIb en IIc met hul wyer onderstelle die Kittyhawk vervang. Op 12 Mei 1944 het Kol D H Loftus, DSO DFC, as bevelvoerder van die

eenheid oorgeneem en enige leerlingvliednier wat met "DHL" gebots h6t, het dit hotagter gekry! Die opleiding het voortgeduur tot Julie 1945 waarna die aktiwiteite tot

refresher courses.

Strangely enough although Seafires (the naval version of the Spitfire) occasionally visited South Africa during \$0\trf II, however only one Spitfire actually came to the country before the end of the war. ln 1944, a Spitfire HF.Mk. VIII, JF 294, was flown out to South Africa by F/O G E Camplin and then toured the country as part of the "Victory Cavalcade". It was then allocated to II OTU on 8 December with SAAF serial No 5501, and later went to 7 Wing on 17 October 1945 following the closure of II OTU. \With its PRU blue paint removed and polished to a

herhalingskursusse beperk is.

Dit is nogal eienaardig dat, hoewel die Seafire (die vloot se weergawe van die Spitfire) soms vanaf hul vlieg-

dekskepe Suid-Afrika tydens die Tweede Wdreldoorlog besoek het, daar net een Spitfire na hierdie land toe gekom het voor die einde van die oorlog.

In 1944 is JF 294,'n Spitfire HF Mk VIII, deur V/O G E Camplin na Suid-Afrika gevlieg en het toe as deel van die "Victory Cavalcade" deur die land getoer. Dit is toe op 8 Desember aan 1l OTU toegeken, met die reeks nr 5501, en later aan 7 Vleuel op 17 Oktober 1945 nadat l1 OTU gesluit het.

Nadat die vliegtuig se PRU blou verf verwyder en dit blink gevryf is soos 'n BBP vliegtuig het dit Doug Loftus se persoonlike troeteltuig geword. Hierdie vliegtuig word nou in die SA Nasionale Museum van Militdre Geskiedenis (Oorlogsmuseum) in Johannesburg ten toon gestel.

high gloss like a VIP aircraft, it became Doug Loftus'personal pet. This aircraft is today displayed at the SA National Museum of Military History (War Museum) in Johannesburg.

IIC 5307 (ex LD458) of (SAAF oia SAAF Museum)

Hurricane 1944

lI

OTU at

\X/aterkloof circa

a

I I

t

tI b

|it#l

t2

ll

OTU het ook die bnoende Dazte Becker)

Hantard gebruik (George Hillary oia

\i:f!U Dit lOitfi.re Mk VIII, lF2g4, was dic eerste Spitfire in Suid_ is oorgeplao, no-di, SALM *u ai lf"tg hierdie "iiil, iSo t 1rio, ip en is foro)

hie de ni s ( S A

On l0 September l94S II OTU closed down and irs aircraft were returned to Air Depots for storage and dis_ posal from which time $(/aterkloof Air Station became known as Air Force Station r$(/aterkloof. The training units

at N7aterkloofcontributed a grear deal to the total of33 347 aircrews trained by the Joint Air Training Scheme during W\Uf II, which in turn was a great help to the War Effort.

Canada was the only Commonwealth country to train more

aircrews than South Africa during 'l(/.Ufi

ff. It is little

realised today just how big an organisation the SAAF was during $n$(/ II. Indeed it is highly unlikely that the SAAF will ever be as big again.

a lodger

iisiii

z,an

MilhAre

ges_

Op 10 September 1945 het l l OTU gesluir en sy vlieg_ tuie is na lugdepots teruggestuur vir opberging en

beskik_

king, waarna \Waterkloof Lugstasie ,. ,r"u- verander het na Lugmagstasie \flaterkloof. Die opleidingseenhede

by \Waterkloof her ,n groot bydrae gelewer tot die 33347 vfie[_ personeel wat deur die Gesamentlike Lugopleidingskerna tydens die Tweede rVâ‚Źreldoorlog opg.l.iis, en war op sy beurt 'n groot bydrae gelewer ir.t ioi die oorlogspoging.

Van al die Gemenebeslande het slegs Kanadameerlugper_

Teen hierdie tyd het Nr 7 (Vegter Bomwerper) Vleuel

unit at Air Force Station

uit die Midde-Ooste teruggekeer waar dit met onderskeid_

Waterkloof.

On 17 October 1945,7 Ving was issued with l0 Har_ vards, 20 Hurricanes and the sole Spitfire Mk VIII (5501)

ing opgetree het, en het ,n inwonende eenheid by lug_ magsrasie \flaterkloof geword.

Op 17 Oktober 1945 is 7 Vleuel uitgereik mer t0 Har_ vard- en 20 Hurricane vliegtuie en die enigste Spitfire Mk VIII (5501) en is daar herhalingskursusse-aangebied.

and conducted refresher courses.

Though more Hurricanes were ffansferred from 7 Air Depot, Port Elizabeth, in June 1946, large_scale demobili_ sarion led to 7 \(ing being reduced to little more than

status.

oandag ztertoon in die SA M useum versame I ing)

soneel opgelei as Suid-Afrika tydens s7o II. Daar word nie altyd besef hoe ,n groot organisasie die SALM tydens WO II was nie. Dit is inderdaad onwaarskynlik dat die SALM ooit weer so groot sal wees.

By that stage, No 7 (Fighter Bomber) Wing had returned from the Middle East where it had gained great distinction and became

LM

Alhoewel daar in Junie 1946 nog meer Hurricanes vanaf 7 Lugdepot port Elizabeth oorgeplaas is, het

cadre

grootskaalse demobilisasie daartoe gelei dar 7 Vleuel gek_ rimp het tot niks meer as kadre_status nie.

The only other flying unit of note to have operated at -WAS at the time was rhe VIp flight which moved in on 19

Die

December 1944 equipped with Lodestars, Venturas and the Prime Minister's Avro york.

An importanr factor of all SAAF Air Stations during

enigste ander vliegeenheid van belang wat

destyds vanaf WAS bedrywig was, was eie BBp vlug wat sy

intrek aldaar op 19 Desember 1944 gemaak het en war toegerus was met die Lodestar, die Ventura en die Eerste

$f\f II

was each starion,s complement of ri(AAF,s ($flomensAuxiliary Air Force). Having grown from the formation of the 'Women,s Aviation Alsociation on 6 December 1938, the WAAF's played a major role in the SAAF in V\W II, serving as transport drivers, instrument repairers, armament instructors, fabric workers, parachute packers, wireless operators) caterers, sear_ chlight operators, admin clerks, stores clerks and a host of other rasks. The WAAF also had rheir own band and "Groupie" Hall informed them that they would play at23 Air School's Vings parade on 16 July tg+Z inth. p.;;";; of Mrs "Ouma" Smuts.

Minister se Avro york. 'n Belangrike faktor in alle SALM Lugstasies tydens die Tweede V6reldoorlog was die feit dai elke srasie ,n WAAF (Women,s Auxiliary Air Force) komponent gehad het. Die \7AAF het ontwikkel uit die Women,s Aviation

Association wat op 6 Desember l93g tot stand gekom het, en het 'n groot rol in die SALM tydens die Tweede \76rel_ doorlog gespeel. Lede het diens verrig as transportdryw_

ers, instrumentherstellers, wapeninstrukteurs, bekledrs,

valskermpakkers, radio-operateurs, spyseniers, soek_ ligoperateurs, administratiewe klerke, votrraadklerke en in talle ander hoedanighede. Die WAAF het ook hulle eie orkes gehad, en ,,Groupie,'Hall het hulle in kennis gestel dat hulle by 23 Lugskool se vleuelparade op 16 Julie 1943

in die teenwoordigheid van mev optree.

l3

,,Ouma,,

Smuts sou

The VIP Flight's Aztro York 4999 (ex Mlf/107) when based at Waterkloof duing WWII (Daoe Becker collection)

The lX/ork of the IVAAF uas aety important in WIVII. Here a IVAAF obsenter prepares to board a Hart Trainer for a meteorological flight (UDF Informaion Seroice ztin Daoe Becker)

York 4999 outside 4 hangar, lVaterkloof Air Station with some of the personnel which flew and maintained it (SAAF Museum collection)

At the first rehearsal, the Pupil Pilots helped them out by adjusting their paces to the \flAAF's uncertain rhythm but by the big day, the WAAF's had gained sufficient confidence to allow the CO to say in his address ro Mrs Smuts: "The ceremony which you are witnessing this morning is especially unique in that a band of the \Women's Auxiliary Air Force is providing the music for the whole ceremony and it is the first occasion on which a WAAF band has played at such a ceremony in South Africa and as far as I have been able to ascertain, in any country working the Empire Air Training Scheme."

For the rest of the war the WAAF band played at all the Wings Parades at \Taterkloof.

After the end of the war the SAAF was gradually run down and various units moved in and out of Vaterkloof.

In 1946,64 AS (Signals Training) moved to \flaterkloof and remained until absorbed by 68 AS at Lyttleton on 17 November 1958.

64 Ai School was responsible for the training of signals personnel at the time. From this grew No 1 Air Defence Unit based at Waterkloof which carried out radar siting trials using mobile equipment in different parts of the country. This formed part of the Air Defence Plan for

By die eerstelnoefening het die leerlingvlieeniers die dames tegemoetgekom deur hul passe by die ietwat onsekere ritme aan te pas, maar toe die groot dag aanbreek, het die dames van die VAAF soveel selfvertroue gehad dat die

bevelvoerder in sy toespraak aan mev Smuts kon se: "The ceremony which you are witnessing this morning is especially unique in that a band of the \flomen's Auxilliary Air Force is providing the music for the whole ceremony and it is the first occasion on which a VAAF band has played at such a ceremony in South Africa, and as far as I have been able to ascertain, in any country working the Empire Air Training Scheme."

Vir die res van die oorlog het die \7AAF orkes by al die vleuelparades by \faterkloof opgetree.

Na die einde van die oorlog is die SALM stelselmatig afgetakel en verskeie eenhede het by \Taterkloof in- en uitgetrek. ln 1946 het 64 Lugskool (Seinopleiding) na

\Taterkloof verhuis en daar gebly totdat dit op 17 November 1958 deur 68 Lugskool by Lyttleton opgeneem is.

Destyds was 64 Lugskool daarvoor verantwoordelik

om seinpersoneel op te lei. Hieruit het No 1 Lugverdediginseenheid gegroei, wat radaropstellingsproewe uitgevoer het deur gebruik te maak van mobiele uitrusting in verskillende dele van die land. Dit het deel uitgemaak van die Lugverdedigingsplan vir die PW gebied. 'n Ander afdeling was die Beheer-en-Meldskool wat gestig is vir die opleiding van vegterbeheerders en radaroperateurs. Die B-en-M skool het ook'n buitepos by Pienaarsrivier gehad, wat lateraan die Lugver-

the P\7V area.

Another part of this was the Control and Reporting School which was established for the training of fighter controllers and radar operators. The C and R School also had an outstation at Pienaarsrivier which later became the Air Defence School.

dedigingskool geword het.

1A

TA

AFS rI/aterkloof Unit was disbanded in June 1946, its activities being taken over by 7 Ving (with OC, still Lt Col Loftus) and controlled no's l, 21 4 and.7 Squadrons which at that stage were largely ,,paper', squadrons. Col L A \Tillmot became rhe new OC on 26JuIy 1946 but was later tragically killed in a Mosquito accident on 26 June 1947.

The Hurricane was no longer required in the post_war SAAF and from October 1946,7 \fling started returning their Hurricanes to l5 AD for storage and disposal.

The station had grown drastically since 193g. The original two hangars plus makeshifr accommodation had grown to 3 large hangars, 2 Bellman hangars and I con_ crete hangar. Office accommodation and stores were at this stage more than adequate and a huge officers'mess plus airmen's mess (the Sandhurst Block) had been con_

LMS \Taterkloofeenheid het weer in Junie

deels slegs "papier"-eskaders was. Kol L A

verongeluk.

Die Hurricane was nie meer nodig in die na-oorlogse SALM nie en vanaf Oktober 1946 het 7 Vleuel hul Hurricanes aan 15 Lugdepot begin terugstuur vir berging en beskikking.

Teen hierdie tyd was die stasie aansienlik groter as in 1938. Die oorspronklike rwee loodse en die tydelike akkommodasie het aangegroei tot 3 groot loodse, 2 Bellman-loodse en een groot betonloods. Teen hierdie tyd was daar meer as genoeg akkommodasie en pakhuise en'n groot offisiersmenasie, asook ,n lugmanmenasie (die San_ dhurst-blok) is opgerig.

The Air Directorare \Tireless Station had also been constructed during \ruf II and was South Africa,s contact with the outside world at rhis time and an important link in

the chain of Empire communications. It also included ZRB, the South African Air Force Broadcast Station.

Another famous unit established at \Waterkloof was the SAAF College. Originally formed at Voortrek_ kerhoogte on 7 April 1949 as the Air Force $7ing, it trans_ ferred to I7aterkloof on 1 July 1950 as the Air Administra_ tion and Personnel \fing. In December 1951, it was renamed the SAAF College and after running a number of courses) moved to its present location in April 1957.

A significant evenr occurred in 1946 when the first operational iet fighter was delivered to Sourh Africa. A Gloster Mereor lll, E8429, arrived in Cape Tnwn on 20 April on the "Clan McAlpine,'and was first flown at AFS Brooklyn (now Ysterplaat) on 15 May 1946.ltunderwent trials in South Africa at AFS Langebaanweg and palmiet_ fontein and upon completion of these was loaned to the SAAF and was issued to 7 Wing ar \(/AS on l0 December 1946 where 40 pilots Were converred onro the Meteor. It Die eerste s.traler in Suid-Afnka was die Gloster Meteor SALM Museum)

III,

\flillmot het op

26 Julie 1946 die nuwe bevelvoerder geword, maar her lateraan op 26 Junie 1947 op tragiese wyse in ,n Mosquito

structed.

(Beukes aia

1946

ontbind en sy funksies is deur 7 Vleuel oorgeneem met Lt Kol Loftus nog steeds die bevelvoerder met beheer oor Nos l, 2,4 en 7 Eskader, wat op hierdie stadium groten_

Die Air Directorate \fireless Station het

ook

gedurende die Tweede \7â‚Źreldoorlog tot stand gekom en was op daardie stadium SA se kontak mer die buitewâ‚Źreld en 'n belangrike skakel in die Genemebes-kommunikasie_ ketting. Dit het ook ZRB, die Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag se uitsaaistasie, ingesluit.

Nog 'n beroemde eenheid wat by \Taterkloof gestig is, was die SALM Kollege. Dir is aanvanklik op 7 April 1949 by Voortrekkerhoogte gesrig as die Lugmagvleuel en het op I Julie 1950 as Lugadministrasie en personeel Vle_ uel na Waterkloof verhuis. In Desember l95l is dit tot die

SALM Kollege herdoop en nadar dit 'n paar kursusse

aangebied het, het dit na sy huidige srandplaas verhuis.

'n Belangrike gebeurtenis het in 1946 plaasgevind toe Suid_Afrika afgelewer is. Gloster Mereor III,EE42},het op 20 April in Kaapstad aangekom op die Clan McAlpine en is vir die eer_

die eerste operasionele straaljagter in

ste keer op 15 Mei 1946 by LMS Brooklyn (nou

EE42g, wat deur 7 Vleuel by Waterkloof gebruik was

l5

AHaruardMkIIa(7084)probablyof4SqnatlVaterkloofinthelate

50's(IaanSping)

Hierdie Ventura, 6487 oan 28 Esk, BBP Vlug was op 'n stadium deur Genl Smuts gebruik (Ivan Sping) Dakota 6843 weaing the unit code leners (OD) of 28 Sqn during the late 50's (Ivan Spring)

3:1c?

ffii:, :,i

4

;tl_:t- irr:ii.I++rii*:e",i

*++g@

Sabre

Mk

6 361 aan

I

Esh net na aflewering by LMS waterkloaf . Hierdie Sabre is nog

sreed,s by die

s,4LM Museum (Dave Becker wrsameling)

.nc

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;:#@-

w'- eâ‚Ź ''' #tr"

dfrtud-r*";,

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.& -9 dn'

A line

up of C1308 Hercules of 28 Sqn tluring rhe 1966 Republic Festiz,al

(sA,,lF ri,r D,tt,t Becker t.

Eenvan2S Esk BBP Vlug setwee DH HeronMk 2,s (IaanSping)

rffi4E5i4

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@+,,.

@:w.s*#!Eiq,ii.l.j[

Hantard

IIa's aan 1 Esk (BM) naby waterkloof in

1947

(J

Greyoenstein)

was based at ZAS but moved across to 1947 . The post war SAAF ordered 136

Ysterplaat) gevlieg. In Suid-Atiika het dit toetse ondergaan by LMS Langebaanweg en Palmietfontein en na voltooiing hiervan is dit aan die SALM geleen en is op 10 Desember 1946 aanT Yleuel by VAS uitgereik waar 40 vlieeniers by die Meteor aangepas is. Die reeksnommer 8000 is aanvanklik aan die Meteor toegewys, maar dit is nooit op die vliegtuig aangebring nie. Dit is na Kaapstad teruggevlieg en na Engeland verskeep waar dit op l1 Julie 1949 by 39 Maintenance Unit aangkom. Tien dae later is dit na die tegniese kollege by Henlow oorgeplaas waar dit sy dae as'n

\Taterkloof on 27 June 1947 .

It was decided that a number of permanent force squadrons should also have an auxiliary element for part time Active Citizen Force pilots, crews' and ground personnel, but to make use of the same aircraft and infra struc-

reeksnommer 6684M. In September 1946 is I Esk weer onder 7 Vleuel geaktiveer onder bevel van Mai A C Bosman, en aanvanklik is daar met Harvards gevlieg. Die eskader was by ZAS gestasioneer, maar is in Junie 1947 na SflAS oorgeplaas' Spitfire Mk IX's is vir die na-oorlogse SALM'n hon-

was actually allocated the serial no, 8000 but never carried it. It was flown back to Cape Town and shipped to the UK and arrived at 39 MU on 11 July 1949. Ten days later it was

transferred to the Technical College at Henlow where it ended its days as a ground instructional airframe with a new serial no, 6684M. In September 1946 | Sqn had been re-activated under 7 Ving with OC, Mai A C Bosman and flew Harvards ini-

tially. The squadron

\7AS about Jwe Spitfire Mk IXe's and these started arriving in 1947' The first for 7 \7ing, 5508' was allotted from Zwartkop to

F

E ts

grondinstruksie-vliegraam geslyt

nuwe

1947 begin .derd-ses-en-dertig bestel en hulle het in 27 is op 5508, Junie L947 opdaag. Die eerste vir 7 Vleuel, van Zwartkop na \faterkloof oorgeplaas.

Daar is besluit dat'n aantal Staande Mag eskaders ook hulpelement moes he vir deeltydse Aktiewe Burgermagvlieeniers, -bemanning en -grondpersoneel, maar infra-

ture.

H

k

struktuur moes gebruik.

ffi t8

n

het met 'n

No I (City of Pretoria) Sqn

conoerted to Spitfire

IXe's in 1947 , part of a batch of

Consequently the first of these, No I ,,City of pretoria" Sqn was formed as the ACF elemenr of I Sqn (pF) with Capt Mello MacRobert as Officer Commanding. Flying started on 16 August 1947 using Harvards and the unit provided a formation for the Battle of Britain Day fly-past in September. The pilots then converred to Spitfires and took part in an air display at Tempe on 5-6 December

t 36 purchased

from the BritishGoaernment (D

de

Saxe)

Vervolgens is die eerste hiervan No I ,.City of pretoria"-Eskader, gevorm as die ABM element van I Esk (S Mag) met Kapt Mello MacRobert as bevelvoerder. Harvards is gebruik toe die eskader op l6 Augustus l947begin vlieg het en die eenheid het in September ,n formasie vir die "Battle of Britain Day"-verbyvlug voorsien.

Die vlieeniers het toe oorgeskakel na Spitfires en het op 5-6 Desember 1947 aan'n Lugvertoning by Tempe

1947.

On 9- I I July 1949, I Sqn took part in a maior exercise

deelgeneem.

and provided 12 Spitfires led by Maj MacRobert. The exercise took place between Ladysmith and Durban. Dis_ plays were also given in August 1949 at\fonderboom and Bethal. In August 1949 the first training with Rocket pro_ jectiles fitted to Spitfires of I and 2 Sqn was carried out in South Africa, the squadron aircraft going to potch_ efstroom for firing practice. Maior peter Lee took over as

Op 9-ll Julie 1949 het I Esk aan'n groot oefening deelgeneem en het 12 Spitfires onder leiding van Mai Mac_ Robert voorsien. Die oefening het tussen Ladysmith en Durban plaasgevind. Vertonings is ook in Augustus 1949 by \Tonderboom en Bethal gehou. In Augustus 1949 is die eerste opleiding in vuurpylprojektiele wat aan die Spitfires van I en 2 Esk geheg is, in Suid-Afrika uitgevoer. Vir hier_ die skietoefening is die Eskader se vliegtuie na potch_ efstroom geneem. Majoor Peter Lee neem op 27 Augustus 1949 oor as Bevelvoerder deurdat agt vliedniers (met inbegrip van die vorige bevelvoerder) met meermotorige ondervinding verplaas is om 21 Esk te vorm onder leiding

OC on 27 August 1949 as eight pilots (including the previ_ ous OC) with multi-engined experience were transferred away to form 2l Sqn under Major M MacRobert.

van Maj MacRobert.

A

late production

Becker)

Mk IXe

5553

AX-K of I Sqn(H Malherbe

ztia

No 2 Sqn was re-actioated on I December I94g and also zt;as equip_ ped with Spitfires. This Mk IXe, 5543 DB-A, is a late prodictiin model (SAAF aia D Becker)

D

19

I

This Vampire FB.Mk.S was the first to be deliaered ro .rhe SAAF ' It ithers equipped Sqn from March 1950 and uere the first collection) "l"t jets to see squadrin ieruice wiih the SAAF (Datse Becker

I

iii

Die Oorspronktike SALM Gedenhteken wat op 31 Mei 1950 by

Members of 1950 beforl

lVaterkloof geopen was (SAAF Joumal)

Die eerste vier Vampire FB Mk 5's het op 7 Maart ele1950 van Ysterplaat af aangekom en dit het die S Mag

The first four Vampire FB'Mk'5's arrived from Ysterplaat on 7 March 1950 and these equipped the PF element of the Squadron. A DH Devon (106) was allocated to the squadron prior to this to enable pilots to get used to a tricycie undercarriage. The CF element retained Spitfires plus a few Harvards.

The Vampires created a maior problem - soil erosion. With a low-slung tail pipe, the jet efflux played havoc with the earth runways despite attempts to harden the ends of them. Consequently plans to lay tarmac runways with concrete hard standings were accelerated but in the mean-

time

ment van die Eskader uitgerus. 'n DH Devon (106) is vantevore aan die Eskader toegewys om die vlieâ‚Źniers in staat te stel om aan 'n driewielonderstel gewoond te raak' Die BM element het Spitfires en 'n paar Harvards behou' Die Vampires het 'n groot probleem veroorsaak

-

gronderosie. Met hul lae stertstuk het die straaluitstroming verwoesting gesaai op die grondvliegvelde ten spyte

van pogings om die eindpunte van die aanloopbaan so hard as

gevlieg' Eskader vir die eerste keer hul Vampires in die nag

The title "City of Pretoria" Squadron was officially

Die titel "City of Pretoria"-Eskader is amptelik laat vaar) maar is nog steeds deur die BM element van die Eskader gebruik totdat 'n nuwe beleid bepaal het dat die BM eskaders se nommers van toe af sou verskil van die S

dropped but continued to be used by the CF element of the ,qrr"dron until a new policy dictated that the CF squadrons would bear different numbers from the PF squadrons.

Consequently on

Mag Eskaders s'n.

I January 1951, i Sqn (CF) became Sqn (CF) and the latter unit, after remaining at

Vaterkloof for

moontlik te maak. Planne om teerbane te 16 met harde

beton staanplekke is versnel, maar I Esk moes intussen maar klaarkom met wat hulle gehad het' Op 19 Mei is al tien die Vampire Mk 5's by 'Waterkloof afgelewer en op 24 November 1950 het die

Sqn would have to make do with the status quo' By 19 May, alt 10 of the Vampire Mk'5's had been

I

delivered to \faterkloof and on 24 November 1950 the squadron first operated their Vampires at night'

4

2 Sqn paraile in front of 1 Sqn Vampi.res in September leatinf for Korea (SAAF Museum collection)

Gevolglik het I Esk (BM) op 1 Januarie 1951 4 Esk (BM) geword en laasgenoemde eenheid, na hulle nog 'n tyd lank op rWaterkloof gebly het, het toe oorgetrek na Swartkop lugmagstasie toe (die spelling het nou verander)' Intussen is 2 Esk ook weer geaktiveer met Kapt Keith Kuhlmann as bevelvoerder en is ook met Spitfire Mk IX's

a while longer, moved across to Swartkop

Air Station (the spelling had now changed!)

Meanwhile 2 Sqn had also been re-activated on I December 1948 (with OC Capt Keith Kuhlmann) andwas also equipped with Spitfire Mk IX e's'

toegerus.

20

The Meteorological Flight equipped with Harvards was transferred to \7AS from Nigel (later Dunnottar) in 1948 and on 15 July 1949 the Radio Test and Research Laboratory (with OC, Lt J H Goddard), was formed, but

Die Meteorologiese Vlug, toegerus met Harvards is in 1948 van Nigel (later Dunnotrar) na \X/AS oorgeplaas en op 15 Julie 1949 is die Radiotoetsing- en navorsinglaboratorium met Lt J H Goddard as bevelvoerder, gestig, maar

disbanded only a week laterl On 3l May 1950 the SAAF Memorial was unveiled at the gates of Air Force Station Vaterkloof, the ceremony being attended by about 5 000 people. The memofal had been designed by Mr R F McGaw and funds to erect it had been raised by the SAAF Association. The inscriptions read: "They shall mount up with uings as eagles" "Vinniger as arende was hulle, sterker &s leeus" Later a more impressive memorial was erected on Bay's Hill, overlooking AFS Swartkop, which replaced

slegs 'n week later weer ontbind.

Op 31 Mei 1950 is die SALM Gedenkteken

by die

hekke van Lugmagstasie \faterkloof onthul. Die seremonie is deur ongeveer 5 000 mense bygewoon. Die gedenkteken is deur mnr R F McGaw ontwerp en fondse vir die oprigting is deur SALM Vereniging ingesamel. Die inskripsie het soos volg gelui: "They shall mount up zaith wings as eagles" "Vinniger as arende was hulle, sterker as leeus" Later is 'n indrukwekkende gedenkteken op Baysheuwel opgerig wat oor LMB Swartkop uitkyk en wat die gedenkteken by LMS Waterkloof vervang het.

Na die inval op Suid-Korea deur Noord-Korea op 25 Junie 1950 en 'n beroep op die Verenigde Nasies om hulp, het SA op 4 Augustus 1950 besluit om 2 Esk na Korea re stuur om te help.

Eers is beplan om die Eskader met hul Spitfires na Korea te stuur) maar daar is later besluit om'n aantal F5lD Mustangs van die VSA Lugmag aantekoop aangesien hulle reeds in Korea in gebruik was.

Kmdt S V B Theron DSO, DFM, AFC, is as die nuwe bevelvoerder van die eskader gekies en vrywilligers is aangevra. Op 5 September 1950 het 49 offisiere en 157 manskappe by LMS \flaterkloof aangemeld vir diens en hulle het op 28 September uit Pretoria vertrek na Korea.

No 2 Esk het in Korea 'n uitstekende reputasie opgebou met die Mustangs en later met die F-86F Sabres.

Die eskader het gedurende Oktober 1953 huiswaarts gekeer uit Korea nadat hulle altesaam 12 610 gevegsvlugte (sommige bronne beweer 12 067 gevegsvlugte) onderneem het met 'n verlies van 34 vliedniers en 2 grondbeman-

that at AFS Waterkloof.

Following the invasion of South Korea by North Korea on 25 June 1950 and an appeal to the United Nations for help, South Africa decided on 4 August 1950 to send 2 Sqn to Korea to assist.

Initially it was planned to send the squadron to Korea with its Spitfires, but it was later decided to purchase a batch of F-5 I D Mustangs from the USAF as this type was already in use in Korea.

Cmdt S V B Theron DSO, DFC, AFC was chosen as the new OC of the Squadron and volunteers were called for. 49 Officers and 157 other ranks reported for duty at AFS \X/aterkloof on 5 September 1950 and they left Pretoria for Korea on 25 September.

2 Sqn had a distinguished record in Korea, flying Mustangs and later F-86F Sabres. The squadron left Korea for home during October 1953 having flown a toral of 12 610 sorties (some sources quote 12 067 sorties) and a loss of34 pilots and 2 ground crew and was re-established at AFS Swartkop on I January 1954 equipped with Harvards and Spitfires. Much of the training for the Korean deployment in the early stages was done by 1 Sqn at

ning, en hulle is weer op

I

Januarie 1954 op LMS

Swartkop gevestig en met Harvards en Spitfires toegerus.

Baie van die opleiding vir die Korea ontplooiig in die

Waterkloof and Swartkop. Later the training was concenEenoan die betroubare Hantards ztan4 Esk (BM) (J Greyaenstein)

@",w,&l

i:t t:i!,:tA

I

1" I

)I

I

, :

trated at Langebaanweg.

At the time it was decided to construct tarred runways

;

I

t = *

#

F irt

t E*

E

€ * € :

vroee stadia is deur I Esk by Waterkloof en Swartkop gedoen. Later is die opleiding by Langebaanweg gekon-

at AFS \(aterkloof in preparation for the future generations of let fighters. In July 1951, I Sqn moved to AFS Swartkop in preparation for this. In August the last aircraft moved out of Waterkloof. They were Auster Mk V's of 42 Sqn which had operated from there for a while.

sentreer.

Destyds is besluit om geteerde aanloopbane by LMS 'Waterkloof te bou in voorbereiding vir die toekomstige generasie straalvegters. In Julie 1951 het 1 Esk na LMS Swartkop verhuis in voorbereiding hiervoor. In Augustus is die laaste vliegtuig van S7aterkloof af verskuif, nl. die Auster Mk V van 42 Esk wat vir 'n ruk daarvandaan bedry-

7 January.1952 and it it would take ZVz years at a cost of

\(/ork was scheduled to start on was estimated that

434 000 f,. \When completed it was planned that 1, 2,3 and 4 Sqns plus 42 AOP Sqn would operate there plus I and 15 Air Depots. However little of those plans came to pass and it was only in 1956 that flying units were able to move back to \flaterkloof.

The Spitfires which had given good interim service were due for replacement at this stage and they were finally withdrawn from service on 7 April 1954, the last 15 from Swartkop being allocated to l5 AD for storage and disposal on 12 April 1954. The era of the piston-engined fighter in the SAAF had ended.

wig was.

Daar is beoog om 7 Januarie 1952 met werksaamhede

te begin en die geraamde tydsduur was 2r/z jaar teen 'n koste van 434 000 pond. Daar is beplan dat I,2,3 en 4 Eskader plus 42 LWP Esk na voltooiing daar sou opereer plus I en 15 Lugdepots. Min van hierdie planne is egter uitgevoer en dit was eers in 1956 dat vliegeenhede na 'Waterkloof toe kon teruggaan.

Die Spitfire wat sulke goeie tussentydse diens gelewer het, sou op daardie stadium vervang word en hulle is dan ook finaal onttrek op 7 April 1954. Die laaste 15 by Swartkop is op 12 April 1954 toegeken aan 15 Lugdepot

G

= € € = € € -€ € € € €

vir berging en beskikking. Dit was dan ook die einde van die era van die suiermotorvegvliegtuig in die SALM. Die Spitfire-verhaal was egter nog nie heeltemal voltooi nie, aangesien een van die Mk IXe's, 5518, in Maart 1955 van skrapping gered is en sonder sy Merlin Mk 70 motor voor die administrasieblok by LMS \faterkloof

G

*=€ € € € € €

Tussen 1952 en 1956 het

LMB

Waterkloof nuwe aanloopbane gekry

gemonteer is.

(SALM)

K

F E

*

F Fa

Ig IC

F'

F

1€

F !':i

22

The Spitfire story was not quite over however as one of the Mk IXe's, 5518, was saved from scrapping in March 1955 and, without its Merlin Mk 70 motor, was mounted in front of the admin block at AFS Waterkloof.

Plans to flank it with a Hurricane IIB located ar CFS Dunnottar and recovered to \Taterkloof, came to naught

Planne om 'n Hurricane IIB wat by SVS Dunnottar opgespoor is en deur \Taterkloof herwin is langsaan te monteer) het op niks uitgeloop nie en die Hurricane is in 1971 geskrap. Die Spitfire is op 29 Maart 1979 na die

SALM Museum by Lanseria verskuif en word vandag weer eens herbou sodat dit kan vlieg. \flaterkloof was ook die gasheer vir nog ,n Spitfire.

Nr. 5601 (voorheen MA793) is deur ,n span onder leiding

and the Hurricane was scrapped in 197 | . The Spitfire was moved to the SAAF Museum at Lanseria on 29 d4arch 1979 and today is once again being rebuilt to

fly.

van Larry Barnett en later ook deur die Atlas-vakleeringskool herbou. Nadat dit in 1975 gevlieg het, is dit by die LMB Waterkloof gehuisves na dit aan die SALM

\Taterkloof was also host to one more Spitfire. No. 5601 (ex MA793) was rebuilt by a team lead by Larry Barnett and later by the Atlas Apprenrice School and after flying in 1975, was housed at the TFDC at AFB \Taterkloof after being handed over to the SAAF. After moving to Lanseria and AFB Swartkop it was subsequently exported to the USA by Mr Barnetr.

By the end of 1954, \flaterkloof, although not yet complete, was capable of accepting aircraft once again and l0 Vampires were sent up from Ysterplaat in January 1955 for short term storage.

In September 1956 8 Vampire T.Mk. 55's plus a

oorhandig is.

Nadat die vliegtuig na Lanseria en LMB Swartkop verskuif is, is dit sedertdien deur mnr Barnett na die VSA uitgevoer.

Teen die einde van 1954 was \Waterkloof, alhoewel nog nie heeltemal voltooi nie, tog in staat om vliegtuie te aanvaar en is 10 Vampires in Januarie 1955 vanaf Ysterplaat vir korttermynberging gestuur.

In September 1956 is 8 Vampire T Mk 55,s en'n aantal Harvards van Swartkop na \Taterkloof verplaas. 9 Vampire FB Mk 52's is ook op 15 Oktober aan 15 LD gegee vir berging aangesien die twee vegeskaders begin het om nuwe vliegtuie in gebruik te neem.

I Esk (S Mag) is up 24 September 1956 weer daar gevestig, 2 Esk (S Mag) op I Oktober 1956,4 Esk (BM) op 29 September 1956 (maar op l0 Oktober 1958 het dit weer na Swartkop verhuis), 28 Esk (S Mag) op 19 November 1956 en 44 Esk (BM) op 24 November t956.

Op 19 Oktober 1956 het 100 Vliegveldonderhoudseskader van \Taterkloofna Swartkop verskuif.

A.g.v. ondervinding met die F-86F Sabre in Korea

number of Harvards were transferred from Swartkop to \(aterkloof, while 9 Vampire FB Mk 52's were delivered to 15 AD on 15 October for storage as the two fighter squadrons were starting to re-equip with new aircraft.

On 24 September 1956, I Sqn (PF) was re-established, 2 Sqn (PF) on I October 1956, 4 Sqn (CF) on 29 September 1956 (but moved back to Swartkop on 10 October 1958), 28 Sqn (PF) on 19 November 1956 and 44 Sqn (CF) on 24 November 1956.

On 19 October 1956, 100 Aerodrome Maintenance Squadron moved from \Taterkloof to Swartkop.

As a result of experience with the F-86F Sabres in Korea (which had been passed back to the USAF) it was

(wat weer aan die VSA Lugmag terugbesorg is) is later bes34 Canadair Sabre Mk 6 vliegtuie, aangedryf deur die kragtiger Orenda-enjin en met 'n bredr ,.6-3', vlerk met outomatiese neusvlerke, so wel as ,n paar ander nuwe ken-

luit om

decided to order 34 Canadair Sabre Mk6's powered by the more powerful Orenda engine and having the broader,,63" wing with automatic slats, as well as a number of other new features.

The

first Sabre Mk 6 to

be delioered to the

SAAF in the colours of

l

merke, te bestel.

Sqn

23

(SAAF oia SAAF Museum)

A formation of 2

S qn S

abre

Mk

6' s after the addition of the distinctioe red fuselage

b

ands (S AAF oia S AAF Museum)

The first two aircraft, 350 and 35 l, were first flown in Canada on 28 February 1956, following which they were delivered to South Africa by sea, assembled at I AD, taken by road to AFS Waterkloof and first flown on 13 September 1956. The first supersonic flight in South Africa was made by Capt John Inglesby of No I Sqn in Sabre No 352 on 21 September 1956.

The aircraft were operated from Waterkloof by No I

Die eerste twee vliegtuie, 350 en 351, is die eerste keer van Kanada af gevlieg op 28 Februarie 1956 waarna hulle na Suid-Afrika verskeep is, by 1 LD saamgestel is, per pad na LMS \(aterkloof geneem is en vir die eerste maal gevlieg is op 13 September 1956. Die eerste supersoniese vlug in Suid-Afrika is op 21 September 1956 gemaak deur

and 2 Sqns (which also had some 2-seat Vampire T.Mk.55's). I Sqn aircraft had blue code letters and 2 Sqn red. Later, bands in the appropriate colour were marked

No 2 Eskader (wat ook 'n paar tweesitplek-Vampire T Mk 55s gehad het). I Eskader-vliegtuie het blou kodeletters gehad en 2 Eskader rooi letters. Later is stroke in die toepaslike kleure rondom die romp geverf. No I Eskader se Sabre-kunsvliegspan was 'n groot aantrekkingskrag by die lugskoue van daardie tyd.

Soos reeds gemeld, het 28 en 44 Eskaders, wat met Dakotas toegerus was (plus Venturas, Herons en nog

Kapt John Inglesby van No I Eskader in Sabre No 352.

Die vliegtuie is by \Taterkloof beheer deur No I en

around the fuselage. I Sqn's Sabre aerobatic team became a star feature of the airshows of this time.

As previously mentioned 28 and 44 Sqns equipped with Dakotas (plus Venturas, Herons, and more Dakotas

in the VIP Flight)

moved from Swartkop

to

AFS

Dakotas vir BBP vlugte), van Swartkop an LMS \0aterkloof verhuis na die voltooiimg van die nuwe aan-

\(aterkloof following the completion of its new runways.

The Herons, 120 and 121, were transferred to 15 AD for

loopbane. Die Herons, 120 en

storage on 22 December 1960 while the last two remaining VIP Venturas in the squadron, 6487 and6430, were allotted to 15 AD for storage on 27 September 1960. 6487

l2l,

is vir berging na 15

LD

verplaas op 22 Desember 1960, terwyl die laaste twee oorblywende BBP Venturas in die Eskader, 6487 en6430, op 27 September 1960 aan 15 LD toegewys is vir berging.

Nr 6487 is vandag nog deel van die SALM Museum, ter-

remains today with the SAAF Museum, while the other was scrapped.

long range VIP aircraft led to the purchase of the one-off Vickers Viscount 78lD, "Casteel",

wyl die ander geskrap is.

(serial 150) which was delivered to the SAAF on 16 June 1958 for 28 Sqn.

tot die aankoop van die unieke Vickers Viscount 78lD "Casteel" (reeks 150) wat op 16 Junie 1958 aan die SALM

A requirement for

a

'n Behoefte aan 'n langafstand BBP vliegtuig het gelei

vir 28 Eskader afgelewer is.

"Fleur", one of the VIP Dakons of 28 Sqn, ztshich was based at Waterkloof between Noaember 1956 and May 1967 (SAAF oia

A Dakota of 44 Sqn being photographed (SAAF aia SAAF Museum)

SAAF Museum)

24

by a CPE photographer

'

nD

H H eron 2 zt an 2 8 E sk B B P Vlue

Een xan die BBP Venturas, 6462, z,an 28 Esk aia SALM Museum)

(S ALM oia S ALM Mus eum)

se

BBP Vlug (SALM

Up to this time Swartkop had traditionally been the arrival point for many foreign military aircraft which vis-

Tot op hierdie stadium was Swartkop tradisioneel die aankomspunt vir heelwat buitelandse militCre vliegtuie

ited South Africa.

However, the new Waterkloof with its more modern facilities gradually took over this role.

On 16 August 1957 the first two of eight Shackleton Mk 3's for 35 Sqn stopped off at I(aterkloof on their way

wat Suid-Afrika besoek het. Die nuwe Waterkloof met sy meer moderne fasiliteite het egter geleidelik die rol begin oorneem.

Op 16 Augustus 1957 het die eerste twee van agt Shackleton Mk 3's vir 35 Eskader by Waterkloof geland op pad na Ysterplaat. Die daaropvolgende jaar het 'n RAF Canberra, "Aries V", beman deur Groepskaptein J E S

to Ysterplaat. The following year an RAF Canberra, "Aries V", crewed by Group Captain J E S Morton, Si

Morton, eskaderleiers AA/M P J Lageson (lateraan Air Vice Marshall Sir) en C H Parry by \flaterkloof geland tydens 'n langafstand-navigasievlug rondom die wdreld. 'n RAF Vickers Valiant-straalbomwerper van 214 Esk het in Junie 1959 ononderbroke en met behulp van lugherbunkering, van RAF Marham tot by Waterkloof gevlieg in I I uur en 3r/z minute. Dit is gevlieg deur Vleuel-

Leader's P J Lageson (later A/VM Sir) and C H Parry stopped at $flaterkloofon a long-range round-the-world navigational flight.

On 9 July 1959, an RAF Vickers Valiant jet bomber of 214 Sqn flew from RAF Marham to \(aterkloof non-stop in 11 hours 3Vz minutes with the help of air refuelling.

Flown by \fl/Comm M J Beetham DFC (later Marshal of the Royal Air Force) it was escorted in by four SAAF

kommandeur M J Beetham, DFC (lateraan Marshall of the Royal Air Force) en is inbegelei deur vier SALM Sabres. \Taterkloof was ook die basis vir ander buitelandse vliegtuie. Die Britse lugattach6 het agtereenvolgens 'n Anson C Mk 19, twee verskillende DH Devons en 'n DH Heron gebruik, terwyl die VSA attach6 'n aantal Douglas C-47s (Dakotas) gebruik het en meer onlangs die Beechcraft C-12A. In die vroed sestigerjare het 'n Franse lugopmetingmaatskappy twee B-l7G Flying Fortresses en twee RB26C Invaders gebruik, wat van tyd tot tyd van \faterkloof gebruik gemaak het.

In die afgelope aantal iare was Waterkloof dikwels die aankoms- en vertrekpunt van BBPe wat belangrike konferensies en vergaderings) waarvan verskeie die toekoms van Suid-Afrika bepaal het, moes bywoon.

Sabres.

Other foreign aircraft were based at \Taterkloof. The British Air Attach6 used successively an Anson C.Mk.19, two different DH Devons and finally a DH Heron while the US Attach6 used a succession of Douglas C-47's (Dakotas) and in more recent years, the Beechcraft C-12A. In the early 1960's, a French air survey company operated two B-l7G Flying Fortresses and two RB-26C Invaders in South Africa and these flew in and out of \rVaterkloof from time to time.

In more recent years rifaterkloof has often been the arrival and departure point of VIP's to many high powered conferences and meetings, many of which have shaped the future of South Africa.

Liberally daubed with Dayglo orange paxnt, Viscount 7 8l D, 150, of 28 Sqn VIP Flight makes a oisit to Port Elizabeth (Dazte Becker)

25

Stilt shiny anil brand new'

one of the Lockheed

C-L308 Hercules of 28 Sqn in 1963 (Lockheed oia Daoe Becker)

As part of a updating process in the SAAF) seven Lockheed C-130B Hercules were purchased from the USA and the first five of these arrived in January 1963 for 28 Sqn. Its Dakotas were then transferred to 44 Sqn at AFS Swartkop, only the VIP Dakotas remaining'

As deel van 'n moderniseringsprogram in die SALM VSA is sewe Lockhead C-130 B Hercules-vliegtuie van die 28 by 1963 in Januarie aangekoop. Die eerste vyf het oorgeptoe is Eskader aangekom. Die eskader se Dakotas

laas na 44 Eskader by

Dakotas het agtergeblY. Die Hercules is gebruik om die SALM se iongste aankoop, die Dassault Mirage IIICZ' waarvan die eerste ses-

The Hercules were used to bring out the SAAF's latest acquisition, the Dassault Mirage IIICZ's,the first of 16 arriving in April 1963' 2 Sqn re-equipped with this new aircraft' its remaining Sabre Mk6's going to I Sqn. In November 1964 the first of three 2-seat Mirage III BZ's arrived for the squadron and were followed by four Mirage III RZ's, a

tien in April 1963 aangekom het, na Suid-Afrika te bring' 2 Eskader is hertoegerus met hierdie nuwe vliegtuie terwyl sy oorblywende Sabre Mk 6e oorgeplaas is na I Eskader. In November 1965 het die eerste van drie

IIIBZ vir die Eskader aangekom' Hulle is gevolg deur vier Mirage IIIRZs,'n ge-

tweesitplek Mirage

specialised version for tactical reconnaissance' Much later

these were supplemented by the improved Mirage III R2Z's.

The first two of six Canberra B (I) Mk'12's (the last rWaterkloof for the newly new ones to be built) arrived at re-formed 12 Sqn on 30 September 1963 and these were followed by three refurbished ex-RAF T'Mk'4 aircraft'

IIIBZ (2 seater) and a Mirage 60's (Daoe Becker collection)

A Mirage

IIICZ

of 2

LMS Swartkop, maar die BBP

is spesialiseerde weergawe vir taktiese verkenning' Hulle heelwat later aangevul met die verbeterde Mirage IIIR2Z' Die eerste twee van ses Canberra B(I) Mk 12s (die Iaaste nuwes wat gebou is) het op 30 September 1963 op

\Waterkloof gearriveer vir die nuut hervormde l2 Eskader' Hulle is gevolg deur drie herboude eertydse RAF T Mk 4's.

Sqninthe Mid'

26

Canbena B(II)12 455 of 12 Sqn (SAAF oia SAAF Museum)

Die Canbena T.Mk.4 was 'n

opleidingszsliegtuig z;ir die

Mk

12.

Hierdie Mk 4 styg by Waterkloof op gedurende die 1970 ope dag (Daoe Becker)

On 3 November 1965 the first of 16 Buccaneer S.Mk.50's for 24 Sqn arrived at \$flaterkloof. (OC Cmdt Bob Rogers later Lt Gen and Chief of the Air Force). 24

Op 3 November 1965 het die eerste van sestien Buccaneer S Mk 50s vir 24 Eskader by \Taterkloof aangekom.

(Bevelvoerder Kmdt Bob Rogers later Lt Genl en Hoof van die Lugmag). 24 Eskader het egter sleg begin, aangesien een van die Buccaneers verloor is tydens die afleweringsvlug. 'n Grootskaalse soek- en reddings-

-

Sqn got off to a bad start as one of the Buccaneers was lost on its delivery flight. A large-scale search and rescue oper-

ation involving several C-130 B's from 28 Sqn led to the

operasie waaraan verskeie Cl30Bs van

crew being recovered from the Atlantic Ocean.

In August 1966,3 Sqn was formed to take delivery of

28

Eskader

These were later

deelgeneem het, het daartoe gelei dat die bemanning gered is uit die Atlantiese Oseaan.

supplemented by two two-seat versions, the III DZ and the III D2Z. No 3 Sqn operated under the control of 2 Sqn

In Augustus 1966 is 3 Eskader gevorm om sestien Mirage IIIEZs in ontvangs te neem. Hulle is later aangevul

and

met twee tweesitplekweergawes, die IIIDZ en die IIID2Z. No 3 Eskader was onder die beheer van 2 Eskader en het eers in Februarie 1975'n selfstandige eskader geword ten spyte van die feit dat hulle reeds hul vaandel tydens 'n seremonie op 28 Februarie 1970 saam met 12, 15 en 40

a batch of 16 Mirage III EZ's.

it was only in February 1975 that ir became an autonomous squadron despite receiving its colours at a

ceremony on 28 February 1970 along with 12, 15 and 40 Sqn's. On this date, AFB \Taterkloof hosted one of a series of four open days to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of 'n Mirage ( D ao e

III

EZ oan 3 Esk en'n Mirage IIICZ oan 2 Esk styg

Een oan die Mirage III DZ's z;an 3 Esk net na oorplasing na 85 ADFS (Daae Becker)

op

B ecker oersameling)

The Mirage

II IRZ

was designed as a nctical reconnaissance oersion They were the first Mirages in the SAAF to wear camouflage (Daoe Becker collection)

of rhe Mirage

IIIEZ.

An improoed version of

the

by 2 Sqn (Dazte Becker)

27

Mirage I I I RZ

w as the

III

R2

Z also used

'nBuccaneerS.Mk-50'oan24EskstygopbyLMBtvaterkloof (SALM oia SALM Museum)

best airthe SAAF and were probably the biggest and in the see to likely shows this country has ever seen or is \iVaterkloof changed had foreseeable future. By this time, Force Sta"Air replaced now Base" Force "Air its title

-

tion", a change that took place on 2 February 1968' At this time too the concept of Commando squadrons Citizen Force pilots and crews flying civil airu,as born

squadcraft acting in a supportive role to the PF and CF rons.

No's 101 and 112 Squadrons were formed at Bethal at and \Tindhoek respectively and fell under the control AFB \(raterkloof. h L967 I Sqn moved up to the newly re-activated

taking AFS Pietersburg and in August 1969 28 Sqn started suppleto C-1602's Transall nine delivery of a batch of VIP ment the longer range C-130B's' On 15 May 1967 the its taking of 28 Sqn moved to AFB Swartkop

Flight

f)akotas and the Viscount where it became 21 Sqn in 1968 ' and In August 1972 4 Sqn re-equipped with Impala MkI's the moved to AFB S(aterkloof in December' It received 1976' Mk II version in Novembet On 13 November 1973,250 Air Defence Unit was formed, equipped with the highty mobile Cactus anti-aircraft missile system under the control of Strike Command ' On 4 April i975 the first of 16 Mirage FICZ's was were delivered for 3 Sqn and its III DZ's, D2Z's and EZ's

range trans7ort aircraft (Daoe Becker)

AFB Eskader ontvang het. Op hierdie datum was oop dae \flaterkloof gasheer vir een van 'n reeks van vier wat SALM' die van tydens die 60ste herdenking

wat die land waarskynlik die grootste en beste lugskou was Teen hiersien' g"ri.r, het, oiin die nabye toekoms sal ,rog

magstasie" is nou vervang deur "Lugmagbasis" -'n ingetree het'

Ofnieraie tydstip het die konsep vir KommandoBurgermag-vliedniers en eskaders tot stand gekom bemanning wat burgerlike vliegtuie vlieg van die S Mag en BM eskaders'

as

ondersteuning

101 en No 112 Eskader is onderskeidelik op van LMB Bethal en Windhoek gestig en was onder beheer

No

\(aterkloof.

In 1987 het 1 Esk na die weer nuut geaktiveerde LMB 28 Esk'n Pietersburg verhuis en in Augustus 1969 neem groep van nege Transall C-1602s in ontvangs ter aanvul1967 verIi.rg uutt die langer afstand C-130Bs' Op 15 Mei

28 Esk huis BBP Vlug met sy Dakotas en die Viscount van In Esk' 21 na na LMB Swartkop waar dit in 1969 verander Is Mk Augustus 1972 wofi'4 Esk hertoegerus met Impala

\il/aterkloof' Hulle en verhuis in Desember na LMB ontvang die Mk II weergawe in November 1976' Op f l November 1973 word 200 Lugverdedigings-

Caceenheid gevorm' toegerus met die uiters beweeglike Aanvan onder beheer

tus-lugufwe.rmissielstelsel

valsbeheer. lCZs Op 4 April 1957 word die eerste van 16 Mirage F gaanna EZs en D27s DZs, III by 3 Esk afgelewer en hulle 8i Gevorderde Vliegskool by LMB Pietersburg wat op 1 op 30 Augustus 1972 gestig is' Die eerste Mirage word

1974 of these was flown to AFB Pietersburg on 30 October

by Cmdt "Zach" Repsold to establish that unit's Mirage Flight. The survivors of these aircraft have been comptetety rebuilt and modernised as the Cheetah of today' and equip 89 Combat Flying School at AFB Pietersburg and 5 Sqn at AFB Louis Trichardt' Another unit'to form in 1975 was the Test Fight and 210

vs1-

anJering wat op 2 Februarie 1968

passed on to 85 Advanced Flying School at AFB Pi.t.rrbrrrg *hich had formed on 1 August 1972' The first

Three cessna I g2,s and a cessna

"Lug-

Aie tya het Waterkloof van naam verander

C)ktober 1974 deur Kmdt "Zach" Repsold na LMB

te stig' Pietersburg gevlieg om die eenheid se Mirage-vlug al heren geheel is het, Die van die vliegtuie wat aangebly

of the commando squadrons taxy out at the

197 5

sAAF open Day attilaterkloof (Daoe Becker)

it.ir.t:::*i,".i.;:;:4

28

:;..*tti:i2t:tJ.tlitletii:r'i:gtw4w''

:

:

:::,:

The French Crotale ntissile system was developed for South Africa as the Cactus (Dazte Becker)

.:li:f:;tii.i{:

Development Centre which undertook largely classified experimental work on various SAAF aircraft, engines and armament systems in conjunction with the CSIR. That unit's best known aircraft were its two Vampire T.Mk.55's used as "chase" aircraft which were finally transferred to the SAAF Museum late in 1986.

TFDC also operated from an outstation at Upington but it was felt that a permanent base for TFDC was needed. This was constructed at Overberg, near Bredas-

bou en gemoderniseer

as

vandag se Cheetah, en dien as uit-

rusting vir 89 Gevegsvliegskool by LMB Pietersburg gewen 5 Esk by LMB Louis Trichardt.

Nog 'n eenheid, gestig in 1975, is die Toetsvlug- en ontwikkelingsentrum wat in samewerking met \7NNR hoofsaaklik geklassifiseerde eksperimenrele werk op SALM vliegtuie, motors en bewapeningstelsel onderneem het.

Hierdie eenheid se bekendste vliegtuie is die twee Vampire T Mk 55s wat gebruik is as "Jag"-vliegtuie en wat uiteindelik laat in 1986 na die SALM Museum oorgeplaas

dorp, near the new missile test centre and TFDC opened up at the new base on 5 January 1987.

1975 also saw I Sqn leaving Pietersburg to return ro N7aterkloof once more to take delivery of the first of 32

is.

Die TVOS het ook geopereer vanaf 'n buitestasie by Upington, maar daar is gevoel dat TVOS 'n permanente

Mirage FIAZ ground attack aircraft, while in December 1978 2 Sqn moved to the new AFB Hoedspruit.

1981 saw more shuffling of squadrons. 21 Sqn moved to \Taterkloof from Swartkop bringing its HS-125 4008 Mercurius, 5A226 AT Merlin IVA's and Viscount 78lD aircraft. In December 1980 I Sqn followed 2 Sqn to AFB Hoedspruit.

Dit is by Overberg naby Bredasdorp naby die missiel-toetssentrum opgerig en TVOS het op 5 basis moes hC.

Januarie 1987 daar geopen.

In 1975 verlaat I Esk Pietersburg ook en keer weer terug na Waterkloof om die eersre van 32 Mirage FIAZ grondaanvalsvliegtuie in ontvangs te neem) terwyl 2 Esk in Desember 1978 na die nuwe LMB Hoedspruit verskuif.

In 1981 word die eskaders verder rondgeskuif. 2l Esk verhuis met sy HS-125 4008 Mercurius, SA 226 AT Mer-

lin IVA's en Viscount 781 D vanaf Swartkop na \Taterkloof.

Na

eoaluering by TVOS was die unieke Patchen Explorer ook oorgehandig na die SALM Museum (SALM Museum)

1

Esk volg 2 Esk na Hoedspruit in Desember

1980.

Een z;an TVOS se Vampire T.Mk.SS's na oorhandiging na die SALM Museum (S ALM Museum)

29

-

ffiusinitsoriginaI2lSqncolourscheme(MHASlliaSAAFMuseum) LMS LanOp 1 August:cslgTT is 4 Esk oorgeplaas na Dunnottar vanaf (BM) verskuif seria en later word 40 Esk Mk ls verImpala met na Waterkloof en word sy Harvards

I 4 Sqn was transferred across to AFS Lanseria on from August igll ana hter 40 Sqn (CF) moved across way to D.rnnott", to 'Waterkloof its Harvards giving Impala Mk.1's.

Its stay was fairly short' however, as due to re-orgam-

vang.

40 Hulle het egter nie lank hier gebly nie' aangesien en die Esk ontbind is a.g.v. herorganisasie-veranderinge' LMS na is verskuif 1985 in en toerusting vroeg

personnel and sational changes, 40 Sqn disbanded and its with equipment -ou.d to AFS Lanseria and amalgamated 4 Sqn early in 1985.

In 1985 it was announced that 60 Sqn'

personeel Lanseria en saamgesmelt het met 4 Esk' In 1985 is aangekondig dat 60 Esk'

very famous had reformed

a

met Boeing 707s herstig.

Vandag bestaan LMB \(aterkloof

iqn flying

Canberra

B(I) 12's and T'Mk'4's in

the

photo reconnaissance, intruder and bomber role' )t Sqn flylng HS 125 Mercurius, Cessna Citation II' Beech

Merlin IVA, 14, of 21 Sqn configured as an ambulance

airtaft

uit die

volgende

vliegeenhede: 3 Esk wat Mirage FICZ's as vegters vlieg 4s vlieg in die rol 12 Esk wat Canberra B(I) l2s en T' Mk van fotoverkenners' indringers en bomwerpers II' Beech 21 Esk wat HS 125 Mercurius, Cessna Citation

units:

12

beroemde

die oorlog' fotografiese verkenningseenheid gedurende

wartime photographic reconnaissance unit' with Boeing 707 aircraft.

Today AFB Waterkloof comprises the following bomber role 3 Sqn flying Mirage FICZ's in the fighter

'n

(SAAF Museum)

%%

.&,%,w

&

30

Een oan

'n

3

Esh se

Mirage FICZ's (SALM Museum)

MB326M Impala Mk

I

aan

4 Esk (SALM Museum)

An ImpalaMk I of 40 (CF) Sqn(SAAF ztia Daoe Becker collection)

3l

I

Esk (SALM Museum)

'n Mirage

FIAZ

oan

4 Esk het

ook die

MB326KC Impala Mk

II gebruik (Daz;e Becker)

The Transall

O ne

of

2

I

c-\602

S qn' s

B

ee

along with the

ch S up er

c-l308

King Air

20

(Daoe Becker) haoe giaenmany years of accident-free seruice to 28 Sqn

0' s di sp lay e d at an op en

(Datte Becker) 'n Gekamoefleerde C-1308 Hercules aan 28 Esk

day

at AFS Potchefstoom (Daoe Becker)

Super King

Super King Air 200 en ander vliegtuigtipes in die BBP vervoer rol vlieg 24 Esk wat Buccaneer S Mk 50s in 'n aanvalsrol vlieg 28 Esk wat die C- 130B Hercules en Transall C- 1602 in taktiese en langafstandrolle vlieg, en 60 Esk met hule nuwe Boeing 707s.

Air 200 and other aircraft in the VIP transport

role

(plus 24 Sqn flying Buccaneer S.Mk.50's in the strike role Impala Mkl's for dual training) 28 Sqn flying C-130B Hercules and Transall C-1602 aitcraft in the tactical and long range transport role and 60 Sqn with their newly acquired Boeing 707 aircraft' Other units comprise 5 Air Depot, SAAF Telecommunications Centre, Air Space Control School, Central

Ander eenhede sluit in: Lugdepot 5 SALM Telekommunikasiesentrum Lugruimbeheerskool Sentrale Fototegniese Inrigting en 504 Sekerheidseskader Die eskaders by Vaterkloof is weereens in aksie op ons noordelike grense en weer eens betaal manne die hoog-

Phototechnical Establishment and 504 Security Squadron' Waterkloof s squadrons are again seeing action on our Northern Borders and once again men are paying the ultimate price in the name of freedom. The operational units prohave seen much action while the transport units have vided much valuable back-up bringing in supplies, troops and equipment and ferrying casualties. From time to time

vryheid' Die operasionele eenhede het al heelwat aksie gesien terwyl die transporteenhede ste prys in die naam van

baie belangrike bystand verleen het deur voorrade, troepe en uitrusting te vervoer en ongevalle af te voer' Van tyd tot tyd is operasionele valskermgooie soos benodig is' Alhoewel 'n aantal nuwe en moderne basisse opgerig is, sal \Waterkloof vir die volgende 50 iaar voortgaan om'n noodsaaklike rol in die SALM operasies te vul'

operational paradrops have been carried out as necessary'

Though a number of new and modern bases have been constructed, Waterkloof will continue to play a vital role in SAAF operations perhaps for the next 50 years'

CREDITS Any work of this nature requires

ERKENNINGS a great deal of help from

Enige werk soos hierdie is afhanklik van hulp van verskeie

various sources. Some of the organisations and individuals who have assisted, include: Cmdt A E Smit, OC SAAF Museum; Col Combrinck and Lt Bredenkamp (SAN) of the Military Information Bureaul Messrs Ken Smy and Ivan Spring of the Friends of the SAAF Museuml the

instansies.

Van die organisasies en individue wat gehelp het, sluit in:

Kmdt A E Smit, Bevelvoerder Lugmagmuseum; Kol

Combrinck en Lt Bredenkamp (SAV) van die Militdre Inligtingsburo; mnre Ken Smy en Ivan Spring van die Vriende van die SALM Museum; die Sentrale Fotografise Inrigting; mev Hanlie Strydom vir al die tikwerk en die

Central Photographic Establishmentl Mrs Hanlie Strydom, who did alt the typing, and the SADF Language Service.

SA\W Taaldiens.

32

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IIIBZ's

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SAAF for 2 Sqn at AFB Waterhloof (S'AAF aia Daoe Becker collection)

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