South African Air Force- The Flying Springboks

South African Air Force: 1939–80

In a 1917 report to the British government, South Africa’s General Jan Smuts foresaw the future for a South African Air Force. Two years later, the South African Air Force (SAAF) was founded. Although unprepared at the outbreak of World War Two, the SAAF rapidly developed air defences and flying schools, while prioritising an aircraft acquisition programme.

Exponential growth followed, with 35 newly formed squadrons deployed to the East African, Western Desert, Italian, European and Far East theatres. The SAAF had come of age and was now affectionately – and deservedly – known by a proud South Africa and a grateful free world as ‘The Flying Springboks’. Post-war, South Africa concentrated on increasing its self-reliance in the fields of aircraft construction, ordnance and technology. As the Cold War threatened world peace, the expanding SAAF joined the UN forces in the Korean War, where No. 2 Squadron earned the American Presidential Citation for the gallant service of its pilots.

Featuring illustrated descriptions of 66 aircraft types used by the SAAF from 1939 to 1980, together with the history and colour images of 30 operational squadrons, this book charts the SAAF through four decades of exemplary service, much of it on the international stage where it played a major role in support of Britain’s war effort – a little-known fact.

Available: NOW

ISBN: 978 1 80282 956 3

Price: £16.99

Series: Air Forces Series, vol 13

Format: Paperback, 96 pages

Author: Gerry van Tonder