South African AF in the 70's - Final Update

[comet4]

Here are a few photo scans of SAAF aircraft in the 70's. Unfortunately, the negatives were damaged over the years and I had to scan the photos, so the quality is not very high. You might still find the content interesting, however. There are more scans available but are of the same poor quality.
Graham

[Bucky P]

Fantastic quality, the content more than makes up for the aging! More please>

[King Cobra]

Nice. A scanned print is better than no scan at all so no need to apologise.

[AMB]

Anything from this era is worth seeing Graham. Would these be at Waterkloof by any chance?

[ciaranchef]

Great stuff..lovely collection...Ciaran

[comet4]

Anything from this era is worth seeing Graham. Would these be at Waterkloof by any chance?

These were indeed taken at Waterkloof in 1975. I'll try and add some more from other places as well.

Graham

[st24]

Excellent stuff!!

[Hawkkeeper]

great pics, like the Bucc.

[shaggie]

oh lovely

[comet4]

Here are some more pictures from the same year. These were taken at Lanseria airfield and although it was basically a civil show, there were some SAAF aircraft in the static.
The Piaggio P.166 was called the Albatross in SAAF service while this was the only time that I saw a Canberra B.12 in SA. The SAAF operated both the Hercules and Transall and there are pictures of both here.
Of interest is the GAF Nomad "Mission Master" which was parked with the SAAF aircraft. It did a flying display and was possibly hoping to sell it to the service.
The Storch belonged to the SAAF Museum and is now displayed at Swartkops

Graham

[st24]

More lovely stuff- incredibly rare getting a SAAF Trannie in that lovely scheme....

[comet4]

Here are a few more pictures from 1977. These include a Transall in more usual camouflage colours and a Dazzle Dak in target towing colours. The Kudu was manufactured locally and shared many components with the Bosbok from AerMacchi

Graham


Bosbok


Kudu


Transall


Harvard


Dakota

[DanO1978]

That Dakota is splendid!

[comet4]

Here are a few more pictures taken in 1975. The HS.125 was known as the Mercurius in SAAF service. The Impala was built under licence in South Africa by Atlas Aircraft. I felt that I had to include the last Mirage picture, if only for the trousers worn by the man in the foreground!

Graham



Mirage


Mercurius


Impala


Viscount


Mirage

[Maisie]

Viscount and DC-3 are great. Stunning aircraft in superb colours!! Great thread. If you've more get them up please!

[st24]

More rare stunners. The Viscount and 2 seat & recce Mirage are great...

[comet4]

Here is the last batch of pictures from the 70's. Unfortunately, I've run out of colour shots taken at this time. The following black and white pictures were taken in Natal in 1970 before I started using colour film and before I had a telephoto lens, so apologies for the quality.
The first colour picture of a Dakota was taken at Rand Airport near Johannesburg in 1976. As a contrast, the final shot shows one of the Turbo Daks still in front line service by the SAAF - surely something of a record. It was taken at Swartkop near Pretoria in 2007.
As usual, I hope that there is something of interest.
Graham