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 and 881 was the first Albatross delivered on 1 October 1969. The fleet was retired in 1992/1993 and replaced by Dakotas, the very aircraft the Albatross was introduced to replace. 881 served with 27 Sqd its entire service life and arrived at the SAAF Museum Swartkop in April 1993. Photographer unknown

Delivered to the USAAF as 42-92211 October 1943, to the RAF as FL579 November 1943 and the SAAF as 6811 December 1943. Converted to C-47TP late 1990s. 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 was introduced to replace. 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

Photographer unknown

Delivered to the RAF in March 1944. The following year 6859 went to the SAAF where she was active with 28, 44 and 60 Sqds for 49 years. In 1994 she was transferred to the SAAF Museum in flying condition. Here seen in Port Elizabeth in 1968. Photographer unknown

Delivered to the USAAF as 42-92211 October 1943, to the RAF as FL579 November 1943 and the SAAF as 6811 December 1943. Converted to C-47TP late 1990s. Seen here para dropping with the red fin flash of the 86 AFS. Photo: Dave Becker

15 Sqd carried the crest on the nose of the Super Frelons as shown here.

Volunteers at the SAAF Museum in Port Elizabeth spent years building this wooden replica of a Spiftire Mk IX. It has since been completed and painted as JK769 and carrying the code AGM.

Still based at AFB Ysterplaat, 22 Sqd is the SAAF's maritime helicopter squadron. The Wasps operated off the SA Navy's President Class frigates often with Vloot/Navy titles although not part of the Navy inventory. The museum's example carries the crest of SAS President Pretorius on the nose.

AFB Ysterplaat's gate guardian

The South African contribution to the Korean War was 2 Sqd SAAF which initially operated F-51 Mustangs from Pusan AB. From January 1953, the Mustang was replaced with F-86F Sabres which the squadron operated on loan from the USAF until October that year when they were returned to the Americans. The experience was so good that the SAAF procured the Canadair Sabre Mk 6 with the first delivered in 1956. They served with the SAAF until 1980. Canadair Sabre 6 372 is displayed at the SAAF Museum at AFB Ysterplaat as 601/A of 2 Sqd as it would have looked in Korea.

460 was one of the first 16 Impalas delivered to Atals as completely knocked down kits for assembly at Ysterplaat, South Africa. It was the first aircraft delivered to the SAAF in 3 June 1966. It was put on display at the SAAF Museum Ysterplaat 17 November 1992.

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 was introduced to replace. 896 served with 27 Sqd its entire service life and arrived at the SAAF Museum Ysterplaat in October 1991.

Formation shot of the two types operated by 17 Squadron in 1991. The Alouette III is 104. Photographer unknown

This aircraft is ex ZS-ATL and never actually flew for the SAAF. It was delivered to South African Airways and named "Jan van Riebeeck". Moving on to Comair and later to the SAAF Museum where it is now displayed at AFB Swartkop. Here it is at the old museum at Lanseria. Photographer unknown

This aircraft is ex ZS-ATL and never actually flew for the SAAF. It was delivered to South African Airways and named "Jan van Riebeeck". Moving on to Comair and later to the SAAF Museum where it is now displayed at AFB Swartkop. Here it is at Lanseria without its wing during preparation for display. Photographer unknown

This 4 Squadron Impala performs a low-pass over what was then the South African Air Force Base Mpacha on the Caprivi Strip in South West Africa (now Namibia).

Seen at what was then the South African Air Force Base Mpacha on the Caprivi Strip in South West Africa (now Namibia), this 4 Squadron Impala is armed and being readied for action.