During the 1960s, the South African Air Force recognized the requirement for an inshore maritime patrol and fisheries surveillance aircraft. With an already established relationship with Piaggio the P-166 was chosen. Named Albatross in SAAF service, the first was delivered in October 1969; 884 was delivered the same December. The fleet was retired in 1992/1993 and replaced by Dakotas, the very aircraft the Albatross replaced. 884 was sold as ZS-NJX in June 1993. Written off 14 August 2011 in a controlled flight into terrain accident at Mamotswiri Peak near Tzaneen, Limpopo. Photographer unknown

During the 1960s, the South African Air Force recognized the requirement for an inshore maritime patrol and fisheries surveillance aircraft. With an already established relationship with Piaggio the P-166 was chosen. Named Albatross in SAAF service, the first was delivered in October 1969; 896 was delivered in March 1974. The fleet was retired in 1992/1993 and replaced by Dakotas, the very aircraft the Albatross replaced. 896 served with 27 Sqd its entire service life and arrived at the SAAF Museum Ysterplaat in October 1991. Photographer unknown

Ex 881, Flown by the South African Air Force Museum Historic Flight.

Ex SAAF 886 and ZS-NJW

Ex 891, South African Air Force

Still in the basic maritime colours of the South African Air Force, this former 27 Squadron Albatross, as the type was known in SAAF service, is here seen as a gate guardian at Port Elizabeth Airport. During the 1960s, the South African Air Force recognized the requirement for an inshore maritime patrol and fisheries surveillance aircraft. With an already established relationship with Piaggio the P-166 was chosen. Named Albatross in SAAF service, the first was delivered in October 1969; 887 was delivered in March 1970. The fleet was retired in 1992/1993 and replaced by Dakotas, the very aircraft the Albatross replaced. 887 was sold as ZU-ABV in July 1992 and later went to the SAAF Museum Port Elizabeth.

During the 1960s, the South African Air Force recognized the requirement for an inshore maritime patrol and fisheries surveillance aircraft. With an already established relationship with Piaggio the P-166 was chosen. Named Albatross in SAAF service, the first was delivered in October 1969; 889 was delivered in August 1970. The fleet was retired in 1992/1993 and replaced by Dakotas, the very aircraft the Albatross replaced. 889 was sold as ZU-ABM in July 1992. Photographer unknown

Photographer unknown

During the 1960s, the South African Air Force recognized the requirement for an inshore maritime patrol and fisheries surveillance aircraft. With an already established relationship with Piaggio the P-166 was chosen. Named Albatross in SAAF service, the first was delivered in October 1969; 896 was delivered in March 1974. The fleet was retired in 1992/1993 and replaced by Dakotas, the very aircraft the Albatross replaced. 896 served with 27 Sqd its entire service life and arrived at the SAAF Museum Ysterplaat in October 1991. The Albatrosses carried the squadron crest on either side of the nose

During the 1960s, the South African Air Force recognized the requirement for an inshore maritime patrol and fisheries surveillance aircraft. With an already established relationship with Piaggio the P-166 was chosen. Named Albatross in SAAF service, the first was delivered in October 1969; 896 was delivered in March 1974. The fleet was retired in 1992/1993 and replaced by Dakotas, the very aircraft the Albatross replaced. 896 served with 27 Sqd its entire service life and arrived at the SAAF Museum Ysterplaat in October 1991.