Dramatic image of an elite South African rapid response unit, flown into action by SAAF Puma helicopters, seen on patrol near the Angolan border. Photo copyright Peter Marlow

On 1 may 1986, a South African Air Force Dakota while on a flight to Ondangwa at about 8000 ft was hit with a soviet SAM-7 shoulder fired surface to air missile. The explosion ripped off most of the Dakota’s tail. To add additional pressure to the crew, the Dakota was full of military VIP passengers including the Chief of the Army.

Captain C…Read More

At the going down of the sun, an amazing photo of two South African Air Force Impala Mk II jets over a radar unit at Air Force Base Ondangwa,.

‘Floats like a Butterfly, stings like a Bomb’. Operation Modular 8 October 1987. Destroyed SADF 61 Mechanized Battalion Group Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

The South African armored column had penetrated deep into Angola and had just formed a laager to take bearings on their position and objectives. Two Angolan Mig fighter jets had spo…Read More

SADF joint army and air force operations in South West Africa (now Namibia). 1988 #Ondangwa Air Force Base (AFB), here is a great photo capturing a reaction force on the move, here seen walking past a SAAF Alouette III under general maintenance on the apron. Photo copyright Outapi War Museum.

Well armed SWAPO PLAN operators prepare to move out from a ‘kraal’ after conducting an insurgent mission into South West Africa/Namibia.

Formed in 1966 as the armed wing of the South West African Peoples’ Organisation, PLAN – the Peoples Liberation Army of Namibia – had developed from a handful of poorly armed guerrillas to eventually even b…Read More

Much has been speculated and written regarding the circumstances under which this Angolan MiG-21bis (C340), piloted by Lt Vinez landed up on Schneider-Waterberg’s farm near Otjiwarongo, South West Africa (Namibia).

On 14/12/1989 a MiG-21bis Fishbed of FAPA, took-off from the airfield at Lubango (FNBU position 14:56South 13:35East). Lt Vinez at…Read More

8 July 1981, Lt Adriano Bomba, decides to defect to South Africa in his ageing Mozambican Mig 17 (serial number 21) and is intercepted and escorted by two SAAF F1AZ Mirage fighter jets from Hoedspruit.

The Mozambique government asked for their Mig fighter jet to be given back, and once it was inspected the South African Air Force it was handed…Read More

07 June 1980. The South African Air Force Mirage F1AZ 237 of Captain Isak C. du Plessis on the runway at Ruacana, after making an emergency landing after sustaining battle damage.

His SAAF Mirage was part of a 16 ship F1AZ force attacking a SWAPO base near Lubango, it was damaged by two SA-3 ground to air missiles. Losing hydraulic pressure,…Read More

This is a SADF patrol final inspection (thought to be 5 SAI), this was usually performed by the section leaders before the platoon moves out. His job was to check that every man’s kit is in full order. Here he checks the ammunition and kit of the man allocated the 40 mm multiple grenade launcher. Photo courtesy of the Outapi War Museum. Story for…Read More

Cuban tank crew in Angola,