Stick and Throttle Official Newsletter of the Pretoria Branch of SAAFA October 2012

The Camaraderie between Dissip s – Stan Furstenburg

Forty six years is a considerable period of time in any one`s llalanguage.anguage.nguage. For it was forty -six years ago that I had the privilege of helping to train a group of young South African men who wanted to become regimental instructors in the . Those y oung men did exactly that by achieving their goal with remarkable distinction.

The camaraderie developed over that wonderful period in our lives, has cascaded down through the years. That camaraderie has accompanied us all along tthehe way. It is that camaraderie that has kept us together. That is why we are here today!

Over time, a non- regimental type got to know members of this group. FoForr him, it must have been with difficulty (probably great difficulty) that he started to understand the mind-set of a dissip! Eventually, his acceptance of a dissip told us more of the man withwithinin him and he became endeared, sincerely endeared to us. We then, unequivocally, drew him into our rarannks.ks. Daniel, since then you have and will always be one of us. Never forget that!

Back Row L/R: Daan Coetzee, Stan Furstenburg and Sam Rosslee Front Row L/R: Rudy Niewenhuizen and Shorty Geldenhuys

Will the good lord and his providence take care of each member of this group for many years to come so that we all may con tinue to enjoy, support and respect one another.

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The launch of the “Donations via SMS” in September was a success. Your continued support is greatly appreciated

ESPRIT DE CORPS' - Renier Feldtmann

Die volgende gedenkdienste vind jaarliks plaas en word ondersteun deur al die Veterane Organisasies. Die gedenkdienste waar by die SA Lugmag Vereniging betrokke is sluit in:

SS MENDI [Februarie] RAF Gedenkdiens[April] SA Lugmaggedenkdiens [Mei] Smuts Gedenkdiens [Mei] Delvillebos Gedenkdiens[Jul] War Shaw -diens [September] Militere Veterane Diens[Sept] Alphine Diens[ Oktober] 'Battle of El Alamein [Oktober] Herdenkings Sondag Gedenkdiens Uniegebou [November].

Branch Luncheons

9 November @ AFB Waterkloof Officers Mess Including the State of the Air Force Address 7 December Branch Christmas Luncheon @12H00 Venue TBA Bring along non – perishable items for our Benevolence Project

Take Note : Office closes from 14 December till 8 January 2013

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Johannesburg Branch Golf Day – Philip Weyers

The annual Johannesburg Branch Golf Day took place on 4 September at the Rocklands Course, Johannesburg Country Club, and has become the usual, a number of Pretoria Branch players crossed the Boerewors Curtain to support our neighbours and participate in the competition.

Participants included Brig Gen Madumane (OC AFB Wklf), Brig Gen Daan Retief (Manager of the SAAF Benevolent Fund), Wing Commander Clive Mitchell RAF (DDA United Kingdom), Col Mike Louw and a four-ball team from 28 Squadron.

A day of intense competition followed with points being gained and lost, all in very good spirit and was followed by a very good post game function when the evils of dehydration were thwarted.

The prize giving was presented by the inimitable Frank Tilley, and it can be proudly announced that the Champion SAAFA golfers for 2012/3 are the formidable team of Daantjie Retief and Mike Louw. Well done gentlemen, Pretoria Branch is delighted to have golf champions in its midst!

Congratulations are due to both Frank Tilley and Carol van Rensburg for a well-run and most enjoyable day.

Brokkies / Snippets

SAAF Harvard His tory in SWA / Angola Herewith the true story of the camouflaged Harvard from Martin Rutsch. The only map that Eros had in stock at the time and which was given to 7 Sqn when passing through was forgotten in the crew room and cause considerable mirth to the pilots when informed. (Just goes to show how good the flight planning was!). However, the camouflage paint was applied in Grootfontein and not at CFS Dunnottar as previously reported. The ground crew and some pilots who had nothing else to do took it upon them to paint the aircraft. The original training paint scheme was only restored once the individual Harvard went in for its major service. (Thank you Martin) AAD Show One of the highlights at the AAD was the Turbo Dakota painted in the colours of the . Dressed up (or shall we say painted), the work horse was one of the main attractions at AFB Waterkloof. 111 Squadron SAAF History Originally established as a South African Army unit at Kimberly in 1963, but disbanded soon after. 111 Squadron was re-activated as a SAAF Commando unit at AFB Swartkop on 1 January 1983, and relocated to AFB Waterkloof on 1 January 1999. 111 Squadron was awarded Unit Colours on 1 February 1995. 111 Squadron has won the SAAF Reserve Squadron of the Year Award seven times in the past nine years. Periti Sumus (We Are Prepared)

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WWII Most Produced Combat Aircraft:

Aircraft Type Quantities Country of Origin Ilyushin IL -2 Sturmovik 36,183 Soviet Yakolev Yak -1, -3, -7, -9 31,000+ Soviet Messerschmitt Bf -109 30,480 Germany Focke -Wulf Fw -190 29,001 Germany /Seafire 20,351 UK Convair B -24/PB4Y Liberator 18,482 USA Republic P -47 Thunderbolt 15,686 USA North American P-51 Mustang 15,875 USA Junkers Ju -88 15,000 Germany 14,533 UK Curtiss P -40 Warhawk 13,738 USA Boeing B -17 Flying Fortress 12,731 USA Vought F4U Corsair 12,571 USA Grumman F6F Hellcat 12,275 USA Petlyakov Pe -2 11,400 Soviet Lockheed P -38 Lightning 10,037 USA Mitsubishi A6M Zero 10,449 Japan North American B -25 Mitchell 9,984 USA Lavochkin LaGG -5 9,920 Soviet Grumman TBM Avenger 9,837 USA Bell P -39 Airacobra 9,584 USA Nakajima Ki -43 Oscar 5,919 Japan De Havilland Mosquito 7,780 UK Avro Lancaster 7,377 UK Heinkel He -111 6,508 Germany Handley -Page Halifax 6,176 UK Messerschmitt Bf -110 6,150 Germany Lavochkin LaGG -7 5,753 Soviet Boeing B -29 Superfortress 3,970 USA Short Stirling 2,383 UK

(Statistics from Flight Journal magazine)

Stuur asseblief julle wonderlike ervarings in die SALM na Jaap of my e-pos adres.

Editor: Note: Stick and Throttle The editor extends his thanks for all contributions. Fax: 086 592 0460 Opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflects those of the Editor or Branch Executive Committee Mail: The Editor reserves the right to amend or reject any [email protected] /[email protected] editorial matter submitted for publication We’re on the web! See us at: www.saafa.co.za

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