The first production F.1 flew in 1973, with South Africa receiving it’s first delivery in 1975. Powered by a Snecma-Atar 09k-50 turbojet rated at 5035 kg (7166 kg on afterburner) the Mirage is capable of Mach 2.2 The length is 15 meters, the height is 4.5 meters and the wingspan is 8.4 meters.
DOUGLAS C-47 DAKOTA 6832 (Reprinted by kind permission of Clinton Barnard – Aviation & Safety Magazine) NOTE: This is the same aircraft that was involved in the coelacanth flight in December 1952 Occurrence Date: 26 January 1966 Aircraft Involved: one Douglas C-47A Dakota Mk III NAV (serial 6832) Aircrew & Aircraft Home Unit: Station Flight,…
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The C47 prototype first flew in 1935. One of the most famous aircraft of all time, the ‘Dakota’ was powered with two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 radial piston engines of 1200 hp (882 kw) With a length of 19,66 meters, height of 5,16 meters and wingspan of 28,96 meters. The maximum speed at sea level…
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The Atlas (later Denel) Cheetah was built as an upgrade of the Dassault Mirage III, and served between 1986 and 2008. There were three variants, the dual seat Cheetah D, and the single seat E and C. The Cheetah was replaced by the SAAB Gripens. The Cheetah is 15.5 m in length, with a wingspan…
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The English Electric Canberra T.4 flew in June 1952, and the B(I)8 in 1955. No 12 Squadron operated both versions, and the first delivery to South Africa took place in 1963. Powered by two Rolls Royce Avon 101 turbojets of 2954 kg (T4) and two Rolls Royce Avon 109 turbojets of 3357 kg in the…
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The first Buccaneer S Mk2 flew in 1963. Powered by two Rolls Royce RB.168-1A Spey Mk 101 turbofans of 5035 kg thrust and generating a top speed of 1038 k/mh. The range was 3700 km. The wingspan is 13.4 metres, height is 4.95 metres and length is 19.33 metres.
A decision was taken to restore the gun by the Friends of the S.A.A.F. Museum and a dedicated work party of volunteers committed themselves to the task. A cost analysis was compiled for the necessary sundries and restoration commenced in early 2002. Each Saturday the team met and “the gun” as she became known, was…
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The first flight of the P166S took place in October 1968, and South Africa’s order of 20 began arriving in 1969. Powered by two Piaggio-Lycoming GSO-480-B1C6 six cylinder engines of 254 kW, the Albatross had a maximum speed of 357 km/h and a range of 1930 km.
Dakota 75 Anniversary The maiden flight of the Douglas DC-3 took place on 17th December 1935. In 2010 her 75th anniversary was celebrated all over the globe and locally a special function was hosted by Capt. Flippie Vermeulen at Rand Airport. Flippie Vermeulen, veteran SAA pilot for 41 years with over 23,500 hours under his…
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