The SAAF Forum

Seven RAF Air Cadets had the luck to fly with the RED ARROWS during the Cadet Forces 150th Year Celebration in London.

They flew back seat over London with the Red Arrows display flight down the Mall and over Buckingham Palace.

Jealous:evil:

Yep, that probably beats my flight as a cadet in a RAF Vampire T11 (Reg: XH304) doing a radar air gunnery exercise. We took off at Exeter and flew down to Plymouth where we "attacked" shore batteries with a flight duration of 1 hour 15 min. Now wouldn't be grand if the SAAF were to have a cadet scheme, to create the interest in aviation, and provide the opportunity for flight experience?

They have a cadet scheme don't they? Various bits and bobs to get youngsters interested in flying.

We don't have the budget to fly kids around for interest's sake unfortunately.

They have the Young Falcons, but it seems more like something for those that really can't afford to fly or anything. As with everything else in SA, colour also seems to be playing a major role there. Perhaps Portamus can tell us more though.

_________________
[Sardine]
My Photos: http://www.airplane-pictures.net/member ... .php?p=882
Blog: http://the-flying-fish.blogspot.com/, UPDATED on 13 August 2013

The first Cadet unit in what is now South Africa was raised in 1868 at the little hamlet of Hermannsburg, interestingly it could be the first in the British Empire.
Hermannburg is situated in Kwazulu-Natal approx 20 km east of Greytown near the R74.
This was on the border of the Colony of Natal and Zululand at the time and is a very German area of KZN. German named towns are Wartburg, Harburg, New Hanover, Schroeders, Ahrens etc

Here is an extract from a Military History Journal

Hermannsburg is a village in Natal situated approximately 14 miles from Greytown on the Greytown-Kranskop railway line. In 1868 the Hermannsburg (Boarding) School inaugurated the cadet movement in Natal when a cadet corps, which received a Government grant, was formed there.

The school was at that time under the headmastership of the Rev. H. Muller. It is thought that this corps was the first cadet corps to be established in the British Empire. In 1870 the Pietermaritzburg High School cadets came into existence followed shortly afterwards by a mounted cadet corps at Hilton College.

The Acting Governor presented the Hermannsburg Corps with Terry carbines, a target and a Union Jack on their formation. General Louis Botha was one of the famous past pupils of the school which was the oldest in Natal. The corps consisted of about 40 English and German members whose ages ranged from 14 to 18 years.

The words of command were given in German as the instructor had been a non-commissioned officer in the Hanoverian Army. The officers were Mr. Schmidt (Captain) and Messrs. F.R. Moor and J. Muirhead (Lieutenants). The smaller boys carried sticks and the bigger boys were armed with Terry carbines for which they received ammution free of charge from the Government. The cadets did not wear uniforms.

Target practice was regularly carried out, and shooting competitions frequently held. Firing took place from distances of 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 yards. His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Mr. Anthony Musgrave C.M.G., and the Hon. D. Erskine, Colonial Secretary, visited the School in 1871 and were impressed with the drill and appearance of the cadets. The Hermannsburg Cadet Corps volunteered for active service during the Langalibalele Rebellion, and was in existence until 1878.

The Instructor had served in the Hanoverian Army and Queen Victoria's family were the rulers of Hanover. Germany only became a united country after the Franco-Prussian war of 1870.