NEWS & EVENTS - DISPOSALS
30 December 2007
BK117 retired from the SAAF?
Disposals
It has been rumoured that the SAAF has transferred its BK117 helicopters presently with 15 Squadron in Durban to the SA Police Service (SAPS).
29 November 2007
Two more ex-SAAF Mirage F1s delivered to Gabon
Disposals
Gabon received two more ex-SAAF Mirage F1AZs recently when they were flown from AFB Hoedspruit in South Africa to Libreville, Gabon.
9 November 2007
Retired Transalls offered for sale ... again.
Disposals
DMD, a Division of Armscor Business (Pty) Ltd, is calling for tenders to purchase and remove the eight Transall aircraft standing at AFB Waterkloof.
2 November 2007
Last Boeing 707 delivered to SAAF Museum
Disposals
The SAAF delivered Boeing 707 1419 to the SAAF Museum at Swartkop today.
4 October 2007
SAAF Museum to receive Boeing 707
Disposals
A 60 Squadron Boeing 707 (1419) will be flown from AFB Waterkloof to Swartkop on Friday 5 October 2007 for delivery to the SAAF Museum.
3 August 2007
Alouette III final flight
Disposals
22 Squadron, AFB Ysterplaat The Alouette III helicopter is a legend in the South African Air Force. Doing all it was asked and more, this amazing helicopter served for 44 years and the fleet flew more than 346 000 hours. That equates to 39.5 yea...
24 July 2007
Air-air refueling squadron to close
Disposals
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:The airforce squadron that refuels fighters, such as the Cheetah and the new Gripen, in the air will probably be closed.This will mean that South Africa, as the ...
8 June 2007
What went wrong with the Rooivalk?
Disposals
By: Keith CampbellEagle or turkey? Should it be saved or slaughtered? These are the questions exercising the minds of the South African government, parliamentarians, journalists, interested taxpayers (and they should all be interested, given the amou...
1 May 2007
SAAF Boeing 707 problems
Disposals
For some time now, only two Bowing 707s of the five originaly acquired have been flying with the SAAF's 60 Squadron at AFB Waterkloof. These are primary used for logistical transport rather than their previous in-flight refuelling and electronic ...
31 March 2007
Goodbye Alouette III!
Disposals
After 45 years of service, the verable Alouette III finally bowed out of service with the SAAF without any further ceremony.A formal ceremony was held at 87 Helicopter flying School at AFB Bloemspruit on 30 June 2006 to mark the withdrawal of the Alo...
9 March 2007
State of the SAAF briefing
Disposals
The Chief of the SA Air Force, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, hosted a Media Day at AFB Makhado to brief the press on the state of the airforce.While the current status of the various aircraft acquisition programs are dealt with in a separate News entry, here...
20 September 2006
Mirage F1 package acquired by the Paramount Group and Aerosud
Disposals
In a media statement, the Paramount Group and Aerosud have announced that they have acquired the full complement of French designed Mirage F1 fighter aircraft from the SANDF.As part of the deal the Paramount Group and South African based Aerosud have...
17 August 2006
Mirage F1-AZs delivered to Gabon
Disposals
Further to the news story of 19 April 2006 whereby I reported that Gabon had purchased the surviving ex-SAAF Mirage F1-AZs (plus spares) for about R40m, I can now report that the first two aircraft have arrived in Libreville, Gabon.Aerosud were contr...
8 August 2006
Ysterplaat mounts an Impala
Disposals
After months of planning, an ex-85 Combat Flying School Impala MkI was placed on its pedestal at AFB Ysterplaat. Under grey skies, with the sun peeking out to have a look at proceedings, Atlas MB326M Impala MkI 531 (c/n A56) was towed from within the...
22 July 2006
Disposal of C-47TP 6811
Disposals
South African Government arms agency Armscor is advertising South African Air Force (SAAF) Douglas C-47TP 6811 (c/n 11986) for sale by tender. The aircraft, one of 32 SAAF Dakotas converted to turboprop configuration, was last reported in service wit...
22 July 2006
South African fighter news
Disposals
Official sources have revealed that the sale of MB326KC Impala MkIIs to the Brazilian Government, on behalf of its Air Force, has now resulted in all the Mk IIs having been successfully sold, and there is no prospect of further examples being markete...
30 June 2006
Last flight for 17 Squadron Alouettes
Disposals
In a final mass flypast, eight of 17 Squadrons Alouette III helicopters were flown around the north Johannesburg/Pretoria area, in what could very well be their last flight in 17 Squadron service. Three of the helicopters are reportedly going to the ...
4 May 2006
Last Formation Flight and short history of the Alouette III
Disposals
Article by Capt Y. ter Wolbeek - Corporate Communication Officer at AFB BloemspruitInfo on history supplied by Maj Jaco Steynberg - 87 Helicopter Flying SchoolOn 4 May 2006 the Alouette III's at AFB Bloemspruit participated in a final formation f...
19 April 2006
Ex-SAAF Impala in Brazilian Air Force service
Disposals
It would seem that the Airforce Monthly report on 1 April 2006 that the three ex-SAAF Impala MkII aircraft acquired the Forca Aerea Brasileira (FAB - Brazilian Air Force) would be used as a spares source may have been premature.The FAB has released a...
19 April 2006
Mirage F1s sold to Gabon?
Disposals
A rumour has been circulating that Gabon has purchased the withdrawn SAAF Mirage F1-AZ fleet for R40m....
1 April 2006
Brazil Acquires ex-SAAF Impalas
Disposals
Acting on behalf of the Forca Aerea Brasileira (FAB - Brazilian Air Force), the Brazilian Government has purchased a small follow-on batch of former SAAF Atlas MB.326KC Impala MkII strike fighters and operational trainers. The deal gained official SA...
1 January 2006
SAAF aircraft donated to Sudan
Disposals
According to recent local press reports, the government of South Africa has donated three unspecified military aircraft to Sudan, including one for VIP transport.No further details were provided in the report, but at least one of the two South Africa...
24 November 2005
Latest on HeliBase Super Frelons
Disposals
Further to the news item of 12 October 2005, ex-SAAF Super Frelons 302 and 312 are now confirmed as the examples at HeliBase in Cape Town, awaiting restoration.In addition to the two ex-SAAF Super Felons, HeliBase has also acquired civil SA321 JA Sup...
1 November 2005
Brazil Acquires ex-SAAF Impalas
Disposals
Brazilian Air Force plans to acquire Atlas Impala jet trainers from the South African Air Force appear to be progressing. MB-326M Impala Mk Is 484, 505, 522, 528, 551, 552, 566, 599 and 601, together with MB-326K Impala Mk IIs 1003 and 1034, were all...
24 October 2005
Ex-SAAF Puma in RAF colours
Disposals
This recently received photograph shows ex-SAAF Puma 144 upon completion at Eurocopter Romania (formerly IAR) in 2004. Of the six ex-SAAF Puma's purchased, 173/184 are in storage at IIangenech and will probably remain there because, since the pro...
BK117 retired from the SAAF?
Disposals
It has been rumoured that the SAAF has transferred its BK117 helicopters presently with 15 Squadron in Durban to the SA Police Service (SAPS).
Two more ex-SAAF Mirage F1s delivered to Gabon
Disposals
Gabon received two more ex-SAAF Mirage F1AZs recently when they were flown from AFB Hoedspruit in South Africa to Libreville, Gabon.
Retired Transalls offered for sale ... again.
Disposals
DMD, a Division of Armscor Business (Pty) Ltd, is calling for tenders to purchase and remove the eight Transall aircraft standing at AFB Waterkloof.
Last Boeing 707 delivered to SAAF Museum
Disposals
The SAAF delivered Boeing 707 1419 to the SAAF Museum at Swartkop today.
SAAF Museum to receive Boeing 707
Disposals
A 60 Squadron Boeing 707 (1419) will be flown from AFB Waterkloof to Swartkop on Friday 5 October 2007 for delivery to the SAAF Museum.
Alouette III final flight
Disposals
22 Squadron, AFB Ysterplaat The Alouette III helicopter is a legend in the South African Air Force. Doing all it was asked and more, this amazing helicopter served for 44 years and the fleet flew more than 346 000 hours. That equates to 39.5 yea...
Air-air refueling squadron to close
Disposals
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:The airforce squadron that refuels fighters, such as the Cheetah and the new Gripen, in the air will probably be closed.This will mean that South Africa, as the ...
What went wrong with the Rooivalk?
Disposals
By: Keith CampbellEagle or turkey? Should it be saved or slaughtered? These are the questions exercising the minds of the South African government, parliamentarians, journalists, interested taxpayers (and they should all be interested, given the amou...
SAAF Boeing 707 problems
Disposals
For some time now, only two Bowing 707s of the five originaly acquired have been flying with the SAAF's 60 Squadron at AFB Waterkloof. These are primary used for logistical transport rather than their previous in-flight refuelling and electronic ...
Goodbye Alouette III!
Disposals
After 45 years of service, the verable Alouette III finally bowed out of service with the SAAF without any further ceremony.A formal ceremony was held at 87 Helicopter flying School at AFB Bloemspruit on 30 June 2006 to mark the withdrawal of the Alo...
State of the SAAF briefing
Disposals
The Chief of the SA Air Force, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, hosted a Media Day at AFB Makhado to brief the press on the state of the airforce.While the current status of the various aircraft acquisition programs are dealt with in a separate News entry, here...
Mirage F1 package acquired by the Paramount Group and Aerosud
Disposals
In a media statement, the Paramount Group and Aerosud have announced that they have acquired the full complement of French designed Mirage F1 fighter aircraft from the SANDF.As part of the deal the Paramount Group and South African based Aerosud have...
Mirage F1-AZs delivered to Gabon
Disposals
Further to the news story of 19 April 2006 whereby I reported that Gabon had purchased the surviving ex-SAAF Mirage F1-AZs (plus spares) for about R40m, I can now report that the first two aircraft have arrived in Libreville, Gabon.Aerosud were contr...
Ysterplaat mounts an Impala
Disposals
After months of planning, an ex-85 Combat Flying School Impala MkI was placed on its pedestal at AFB Ysterplaat. Under grey skies, with the sun peeking out to have a look at proceedings, Atlas MB326M Impala MkI 531 (c/n A56) was towed from within the...
Disposal of C-47TP 6811
Disposals
South African Government arms agency Armscor is advertising South African Air Force (SAAF) Douglas C-47TP 6811 (c/n 11986) for sale by tender. The aircraft, one of 32 SAAF Dakotas converted to turboprop configuration, was last reported in service wit...
South African fighter news
Disposals
Official sources have revealed that the sale of MB326KC Impala MkIIs to the Brazilian Government, on behalf of its Air Force, has now resulted in all the Mk IIs having been successfully sold, and there is no prospect of further examples being markete...
Last flight for 17 Squadron Alouettes
Disposals
In a final mass flypast, eight of 17 Squadrons Alouette III helicopters were flown around the north Johannesburg/Pretoria area, in what could very well be their last flight in 17 Squadron service. Three of the helicopters are reportedly going to the ...
Last Formation Flight and short history of the Alouette III
Disposals
Article by Capt Y. ter Wolbeek - Corporate Communication Officer at AFB BloemspruitInfo on history supplied by Maj Jaco Steynberg - 87 Helicopter Flying SchoolOn 4 May 2006 the Alouette III's at AFB Bloemspruit participated in a final formation f...
Ex-SAAF Impala in Brazilian Air Force service
Disposals
It would seem that the Airforce Monthly report on 1 April 2006 that the three ex-SAAF Impala MkII aircraft acquired the Forca Aerea Brasileira (FAB - Brazilian Air Force) would be used as a spares source may have been premature.The FAB has released a...
Mirage F1s sold to Gabon?
Disposals
A rumour has been circulating that Gabon has purchased the withdrawn SAAF Mirage F1-AZ fleet for R40m....
Brazil Acquires ex-SAAF Impalas
Disposals
Acting on behalf of the Forca Aerea Brasileira (FAB - Brazilian Air Force), the Brazilian Government has purchased a small follow-on batch of former SAAF Atlas MB.326KC Impala MkII strike fighters and operational trainers. The deal gained official SA...
SAAF aircraft donated to Sudan
Disposals
According to recent local press reports, the government of South Africa has donated three unspecified military aircraft to Sudan, including one for VIP transport.No further details were provided in the report, but at least one of the two South Africa...
Latest on HeliBase Super Frelons
Disposals
Further to the news item of 12 October 2005, ex-SAAF Super Frelons 302 and 312 are now confirmed as the examples at HeliBase in Cape Town, awaiting restoration.In addition to the two ex-SAAF Super Felons, HeliBase has also acquired civil SA321 JA Sup...
Brazil Acquires ex-SAAF Impalas
Disposals
Brazilian Air Force plans to acquire Atlas Impala jet trainers from the South African Air Force appear to be progressing. MB-326M Impala Mk Is 484, 505, 522, 528, 551, 552, 566, 599 and 601, together with MB-326K Impala Mk IIs 1003 and 1034, were all...
Ex-SAAF Puma in RAF colours
Disposals
This recently received photograph shows ex-SAAF Puma 144 upon completion at Eurocopter Romania (formerly IAR) in 2004. Of the six ex-SAAF Puma's purchased, 173/184 are in storage at IIangenech and will probably remain there because, since the pro...
