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March 2013 Volume 4 Number 1

FLYING SPIRIT The Official National Newsletter of the SAAF Association

NPO 083-072

PBO: 18/11/13/4374

SAAF Museum Patchen Explorer Flies Again

Early Thursday morning on the 7th February 2013 the Patchen Explorer TSC-2

was pushed out of Hangar 14 ready to make its first flight in 13 years, Lt Gen.

Des Baker and Col. RamaIyer ran through the pre-flight inspection amid an

atmosphere of electric anticipation. WO1 “Toitjie” du Toit and his team have

spent many man hours restoring this little aircraft to the point that it was

ready to be handed to the pilots for the first of many test flights. The aircraft

was last flown by Maj. James “Jimmy Jet” Feuilherade on 2 March 2001.

The Patchen Explorer, the Brainchild of David Thurston of Thurston Aircraft

Corporation in the USA, is powered by a Single Lycoming 200hp motor with a

variable pitch propeller mounted above the wing on a pylon. Aerofab

Corporation of Sanford, Maine, USA constructed the prototype in 1972, and it

first flew on 13th October 1972 piloted by test pilot Win Young.

The Explorer never went into production and only one was ever built. It was

designed as a land version of the TSC-1 Teal amphibian, the project was

bankrolled by the late Marvin Patchen, owner of Marvin Patchen

Incorporated. He envisioned it to be a “cheaper, faster, more maintenance-

free alternative to the helicopter for such tasks as pipeline and fire patrol, fish

spotting, aerial photography platform and police missions.” The project was

later acquired by Maitland Reed's National Dynamics (Pty) Ltd of Durban,

based at Virginia Airport. After successful test flights by test pilot Pikkie

Rautenbach in August 1975, Mr Reed offered the aircraft to the SAAF for

evaluation with the aim of the aircraft being produced for, and used by, the

SAAF as a spotter in the “Bush War “but the SAAF decided on the “Bosbok”

instead.

Contents:

Patchen Explorer 1

Women in the SAAF 3

Women and Airplanes 7

SAAFA needs help 8

SAAF Awards Winners 8

Aspirations 10

Tumult in the Clouds 11

Marauder Mission Brief 12

Please Remember 13

Please Assist Michael Fine 13

Contact us: The Editors

SAAFA NHQ

P.O. Box 21223

Valhalla

0137

Tel: 012 651 5921 or

012 351 2116

Fax: 086 218 4657

Email: nationalhq@icon.co.za

Website: www.saafa.co.za

Note:

The editors extend their

thanks for all contributions

received.

Opinions expressed in this

newsletter do not necessarily

reflect those of the Editors or

SAAFA National Executive.

The Editors reserves the right

to amend or reject any

editorial matter submitted

for publication.

No part of this newsletter

may be copied or reproduced

in any form without the

consent of the editors or

management of SAAFA

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The Patchen was sent to TFDC (Test Flight Development Centre) at Waterkloof where it was

used as a communications platform carrying the serial number 2000. It made its first flight as a

SAAF aircraft on the 23rd September 1975 and at the time the Patchen had a mere 206 flying

hours. Between 1976 and 1979 she flew no more than 49 hours, of which 18 hours were spent

flying the aircraft to Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, by Capt Dean and Capt Rawston. It was there

evaluated by Peter J. H. Petter-Bowyer of the Rhodesian Air Force.

The Patchen Explorer was reported to have a very high CFG which had to be well managed

especially in gusty winds. It was also noted the large deflections of ailerons required large stick

inputs due to the “barn door” design of the aircraft. With a very low cabin seat position in the

aircraft the new pilots often flared out too high on landing and ran out of airspeed causing very

hard landings. The nose gear had to be repaired on more than one occasion as it was prone to

damage in the case of such hard landings.

The SA Air Force decided it was not viable to continually repair the aircraft. The Patchen was

subsequently left in a hangar to deteriorate slowly between 1979 and 1986. TFDC moved from

Waterkloof to Overberg at which time it was decided to dispose of the Aircraft. Fortunately the

Museum staff lobbied that they take possession of the Patchen and relocate it to the South

African Air Force Museum which was based at Lanseria Airport at the time. The motivation

behind this request was that it was one of a kind and should be preserved. The nose gear was

repaired and she was ferried across to Lanseria in 1994. In the following years the Patchen

became a regular participant at air shows across the country and was flown as far afield as

Margate, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. The aircraft was now sporting a civilian registration

number ZS-UGF and quickly built hours taking it up 440 hours.

After almost thirteen years the Patchen Explorer has been resurrected, thanks to the

determination and drive of the Director Flight Training, Col Rama Iyer, Officer Commanding

SAAF Museum Lt Col Mike O'Connor and the enthusiasm of the Museum technical staff led by

WO1 “Toitjie” du Toit. On landing, all the flying and technical crew celebrated with a glass of

champers and grape juice for those on duty. The South African Air Force Museum “200

Squadron” are very proud to add yet another serviceable aircraft to their impressive stable.

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Patchen Explorer

Officer Commanding SAAF Museum Lt Col Mike

O'Connor and technical crew

Historical view of Women in the SAAF

Phyllis Doreen Dunning (maiden name Hooper) was the first South African woman to be called

upon to volunteer for full-time war service on 01 June 1940. She was only 22 years old when

she became the Officer Commander of the South African Women's Auxiliary Air Force

(SAWAAF), with the rank of Major. She was the youngest officer in the British Commonwealth

to attain this rank. Prime Minister Jan Smuts had asked her to join up. On 28 June 1940, the first

group of 120 women were taken into full-time service. Five months later there were 800

SAWAAFs proudly wearing the orange flash, signifying they had volunteered for overseas

service. Doreen died in Howick, South Africa, on 26 August 2008 at age 91. According to her

son, Simon, she died of natural causes.

All SAWAAFs did a three-week basic training course at Valhalla under the command of the

SAWAAF Sergeant-Major (Mrs) Edwards. The SAWAAF technical personnel did their 1-year

advanced training course at the Pretoria Technical College, while other training was done at 73

Air School in Wonderboom. The first female Physical Training Instructors graduated from the

Military College in August 1941. Women who were appointed as non-commissioned officers

(NCOs) did their NCO course at 100 Air School in Voortrekkerhoogte.

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By June 1942 there were 34 SAWAAF camps in South Africa. SAWAAF pilots flew

communication and ferry flights and served as duty pilots and second pilots in the SAAF shuttle

service. Special legislation enabled SAWAAFs to be employed on combat duty, serving at ack-

ack sites on instruments to direct the guns and as searchlight operators. In December 1940 the

first detachment of SAWAAFs were sent up North with Muriel Horrell in charge. They went to

Mombassa in a troopship and from there by train to Nairobi, where a camp was established in a

grey stone building. Soon this became too small and they moved to another camp of wooden

huts. In September 1940 the SAWAAFs were sent to the Middle East, where they were housed

in a hotel in Cairo.

Phyllis Doreen Dunning (maiden name Hooper)

During the war, the women performed 75 different types of work. These included metal

workers, welders, wood workers, fitters and turners, inspectors, armament instructors, stores,

clerical, cooks, despatch riders, signals, link trainer instructors, lorry drivers, meteorological

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assistants and observers, developing and printing photos, parachute packers, PT instructors,

shorthand typists, and wireless operators. By 1941, there were 36 A-licence pilots in the

SAWAAF, of which Doreen was one.

In 1942 a major re-organisation occurred within the SAWAAF. Their administrative functions

were amalgamated with those of the SAAF. The SAWAAF directorate remained, but with only a

few senior officers serving, their function being to direct the policy of the SAWAAF and to

maintain the general welfare and well-being of all the SAWAAFs on full-time service.

After the war, Maj. Egerton-Bird was placed in charge of the Women's Dispersal Section of the

Directorate of Demobilisation. By the end of December 1945, a total of 1955 women had been

demobilised. In January 1946 alone, 626 women had been through the dispersal camps. The

last SAWAAF camp closed on 01 April 1947. Assistance was provided to enable women to cope

with the transition from war to peace. This consisted of grants for educational and vocational

training, vocational guidance officers assisting women to choose training suitable to their

capabilities, the provision of courses both full-time and part time (two of the most popular

were shorthand-typing and nursing), and assistance for those who wished to establish

businesses. All the discharge benefits available to men were also provided for those women

with equivalent service. Women who had been artisans during the war found it difficult as

there weren't sufficient factories in the country to absorb them.

While the majority of women returned to civilian life, a number of the women went into the

Women's Auxiliary Defence Corps and were used in the SAAF. An amendment to the Defence

Act was made in 1947, allowing women to serve in the military on a voluntary basis, but only in

non-combatant roles, with effect from 03 June 1947.

The Women's Defence Corps (WDC) was then established on 28 November 1947. In 1948, with

a new government in power, the Minister of Defence, F.C. Erasmus, asked for a report on

women serving in the Permanent Force. According to the statistics provided in the report, the

SAAF had four officers and 30 other ranks in the WDC. In April 1949, women were no longer

able to drive military vehicles. The following month, the Minister decided that recruiting

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women for the WDC Permanent Force was to cease. Only female military nursing personnel and

medical officers were retained.

Women were kept out of the Forces until October 1972 when the Minister of Defence granted

permission for the appointment of women in the Permanent Force again. The first three

women to join the SAAF in 1974 as Permanent Force members were trained at the Civil Defence

College in George. On 19 January 1974, 33 women began their basic training at the Air Defence

School in Waterkloof. On 21 February 1995, an all-women's parade was held at the SAAF

Gymnasium in Valhalla to celebrate 21 years of women's service in the Permanent Force.

In 1996, the SAAF recruited the first six women for pilot training. By October 2004, 15 women

had received their wings and 13 were still pilots in the SAAF. All women who served in the

South African Air Force, at any time, have much to thank Doreen for. Phyllis Doreen Hooper was

born in Johannesburg and attended Boksburg Convent School before completing her education

under private tuition. She became interested in flying when, aged nine, her parents took her to

see a "flying machine" in Barberton owned by Alan Cobham. People could write their names on

the plane's fabric, and Doreen wrote hers. On the 03 July 1935, soon after her 18th birthday,

she started flying lessons with the Johannesburg Light Plane Club, at Baragwanath. She learnt to fly

in a Gipsy Moth (ZS-ADW) and her instructor was Captain Stan Halse who was a RFC pilot in

WWI. After two weeks and 9 hours of flying, she earned her A-licence and decided to make

aviation her career.

In 1936 she took second place in the Vereeniging-Durban-Vereeniging air race, flying a Gipsy II

Moth. On 30 October 1936 she obtained her B-licence, becoming the first female commercial

pilot in South Africa. This was followed by employment with African Flying Services at Rand

Airport. In February 1937 she went to England from where she took part in the Oases Race in

Egypt. She flew with Captain V. Budge in a Miles Hawk and finished 23rd in a field of 40.

In 1938, with Mr. Calderbank as co-pilot, and flying a Leopard Moth, she placed 8th in the

Governor-General's air race. The same year, she placed 2nd in the Round the Reef air race,

again in a Gipsy Moth II.

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By July 1937 she was studying for her Instructor's rating and working for the Johannesburg Light

Plane Club. She obtained her Instructor's rating on 20 January 1938, becoming the first female

instructor in South Africa. A few months later she re-joined African Flying Services, now based

at Grand Central. Her wire-haired terrier, Starkey, was a common sight at Grand Central and

had about 70 flying hours to his credit!

At the outbreak of WWII, she had more than 2000 flying hours. In October 1943 Lt.-Col. Doreen

Dunning resigned on a point of principle affecting her work. Maj. Muriel Horrell took over her

duties. After Lt.-Col. Dunning had telegraphed news of her resignation to Maj. Egerton Bird,

then stationed in Port Elizabeth, the Major flew to Pretoria to speak to Prime Minister Smuts. A

short while later, the Prime Minister made a public apology to Lt Col. Dunning in the Press.

Doreen was chairwoman of the SAWAAA. She married Edwin Keith Dunning, who was born in

Nigel. He died in Natal in 1968. The couple had four children - Richard Edwin Harris, Simon

Edward, Judith and Diana.

The Difference between Airplanes and Women

• Airplanes usually kill you quick – women take their time.

• Airplanes can be turned on by the flick of a switch.

• Airplanes don’t get mad if you “touch and go”.

• Airplanes don’t object to a pre-flight inspection.

• Airplanes come with manuals to explain their operation.

• Airplanes have strict weight and balance limitations.

• Airplanes can be flown any time of the month.

• Airplanes don’t come with in-laws.

• Airplanes don’t care how many other airplanes you have flown.

• Airplanes and pilots both arrive at the same time.

• Airplanes don’t mind if you look at other airplanes.

• Airplanes don’t mind if you buy airplane magazines.

• Airplanes expect to be tied down.

• Airplanes don’t comment on your piloting skills.

• Airplanes don’t wine unless something is really wrong.

However, when airplanes go quiet, just like women, it’s usually not good.

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SAAFA needs your help!

If you feel that you would like to donate

a little more, please make a direct

deposit to our account:

SAAFA NEC

ABSA Account number: 1660167699

Reference: Donation and your name and

surname

We also request that you forward this

pledge to all your friends and family and

not to keep it within the SAAFA “family”

only. Your contribution can make a world

of difference!

SAAF Awards Winners 2013

RAF TRAINING AWARD

GOLD: Central Flying School Langebaanweg SILVER: 10 Air Depot

BRONZE: Fire & Rescue Section, AFB Langebaanweg

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AVIATION SAFETY AWARD

GOLD: 85 Combat Flying School (AFB Makhado)

SILVER: AFB Overberg BRONZE: 16 Squadron (AFB Bloemspruit)

SHERQ AWARD

GOLD: 10 Air Depot

SILVER: 87 Helicopter Flying School (AFB Bloemspruit) BRONZE: AFB Ysterplaat

SWORD OF PEACE AWARD

GOLD: 35 Squadron (AFB Ysterplaat)

MYRNEL FLOATING TROPHY

GOLD: AFB LBWG Officer’s Mess

SILVER: AFB LBWG Corporal’s Mess BRONZE: AFB LBWG Warrant Officer’s Mess

BEST DIRECTORATES

GOLD: Directorate Basic Flying and Training

SILVER: Directorate Aviation Safety BRONZE: Directorate Base Support Systems

BEST AIR FORCE BASES

GOLD: AFB Ysterplaat SILVER: AFB Overberg

BRONZE: AFB Bloemspruit

BEST FLYING UNITS (PERMANENT)

GOLD: 44 Sqn AFB Waterkloof SILVER: 35 Sqn AFB Ysterplaat BRONZE: 17 Sqn AFB Swartkop

BEST SERVICING UNITS

GOLD: 6 ASU (AFB Bloemspruit)

SILVER: 2 ASU (ABF Langebaanweg) BRONZE: 3 ASU (AFB Makhado)

BEST PROTECTION SQUADRONS

GOLD: 506 SQN (AFB Bloemspruit)

SILVER: 526 SQN (AFB Langebaanweg)

BEST OPERATIONAL UNITS

GOLD: Bushveld Airspace Control Sector (Air Command) SILVER: Lowveld Airspace Sector (AFB Hoedspruit)

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BRONZE: 500 SQN (Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing)

BEST GENERAL SUPPORT UNITS

GOLD: SAAF Museum SILVER: Air Force Headquarters Unit

BEST TRAINING UNITS

GOLD: 80 Air Navigation School (AFB Ysterplaat)

SILVER: SAAF College BRONZE: CFS Langebaanweg

BEST FIRE AND RESQUE SERVICES

GOLD: AFB Langebaanweg

SILVER: AFB WKLF, AFB Ysterplaat BRONZE: AFB Overberg

Aspirations for your Son

An old country preacher had a teenage son, and it was getting time the boy should give some thought to

choosing a profession. Like many young men his age, the boy didn't really know what he wanted to do,

and he didn't seem too concerned about it. One day, while the boy was away at school, his father

decided to try an experiment. He went into the boy's room and placed on his study table four objects: a

Bible, a silver dollar, a bottle of whiskey, and a Playboy magazine.

I'll just hide behind the door," the old preacher said to himself. "When he comes home from school

today, I'll see which object he picks up".

"If it's the Bible, he's going to be a preacher like me, and what a blessing that would be”!

"If he picks up the dollar, he's going to be a business man, and that would be okay, too”.

"But if he picks up the bottle, he's going to be a no-good drunken bum, and Lord, what a shame that

would be”.

"And worst of all, if he picks up that magazine he's going to be a skirt-chasing womanizer."

The old man waited anxiously, and soon heard his son's foot-steps as he entered the house whistling

and heading for his room. The boy tossed his books on the bed and, as he turned to leave the room, he

spotted the objects on the table. With curiosity in his eye, he walked over to inspect them.

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Finally, he picked up the Bible and placed it under his arm. He picked up the silver dollar and

dropped into his pocket. He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink while he admired the

magazine's centrefold.

"Lord have mercy," the old preacher disgustedly whispered. "He's gonna be a pilot."

Tumult in the Clouds - Stories of the SAAF - 1920 - 2010

The South African Air Force (SAAF), formed on 1 February 1920, is the second oldest air force in

the Commonwealth. The air arm played a major role in securing victory for the Allies during the

Second World War, in the 1948/49 Berlin Airlift, and in Korea in the 1950s. The SAAF assisted

Rhodesia in the 1960s and ’70s, made a major contribution to the ‘Border’ or ‘Bush’ war in

South West Africa and Angola, participated in the transition to a new democracy in South Africa

and continuously supports South African peace missions in Africa. It has also assisted in

countless relief and rescue missions in southern Africa throughout this entire period.

However, the SAAF is not just about aircraft and ordnance; it is made up of people and it is in

this compilation that these people, airmen and ground crew alike, find their voice. Their stories

are captured in Tumult in the Clouds, all told in the first person by the actual participants as

unvarnished, unabbreviated and intensely immediate and personal recollections.

The launch of the book took place at the SAAF Museum Flying Training Day, Zwartkop airfield,

on Saturday 2 February 2013. Lt Gen Denis Earp, who wrote the Foreword, was guest of

honour, together with Maj Gen Tsoku Khumalo and Lt Col Mike O'Conner.

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Marauder Mission Briefs

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Please remember

• To inform your branch, the National Office and the Webmaster if your email has changed or are

changing.

• To pay your annual Branch Levy. It maintains the Branch office and expenses incurred.

• Notify your Branch if your postal address has changed.

• Support your Branch and National fund raising events. More than 80% of the money raised goes

towards supporting those members in need or fallen on hard times.

• Make one copy of this newsletter and hand it to a member who does not have email facilities.

• Recruit more members to ensure that SAAFA will stay alive and well for another 67 years!

• SAAFA as a registered veteran’s organisation has its own unique uniform that you can purchase.

• SAAFA is a registered NPO and PBO and you can claim your donation back from the Taxman –

just ask for a certificate from your Branch. Note that no certificate is handed if the donation is

less than R100.

• Send in your war or peace time stories to be published. It is always nice to read about the past.

Please Assist Michael Fine - USA

This is a considerable longshot but worth a try. My great-uncle Oscar Berkowitz was in the SAAF, 24th

Squadron in World War II. He was reported Missing In Action in 1942, and for years that was all the

information the family had on Oscar's fate. Recently, my mother and Oscar's still surviving younger

brother Saville asked me to see if I could find anything more about what happened to Oscar. Thanks to

an active SAAF historical forum and some members who were most generous with their time and

resources, we have just found out a lot more about Oscar's fate. There is actually a picture of the tail

section of Oscar's bomber falling from the sky after it was cut in half by AA fire on Sept 1, 1942. There

was one parachute from the aircraft which was later confirmed to be the observer, not Oscar who was a

tail gunner. This was difficult information to convey to Saville, but at 82 years of age - while highly

emotional - he was amazed to find out exactly what had happened to his brother. It turns out that Lt.

A.B. Shuter was the observer who survived the incident, and was taken POW on Sept 1, 1942 by

Rommel's Afrika Korps. Oscar's brother Saville asked me if there was any chance if Lt Shuter is still alive

today and available to speak with him about Oscar, and the events of that day. I don't know how to

locate him or if he's still alive, but having found the SAAFA website, I thought it was worth an effort.

Thanks regardless and much appreciation for the organization. Michael Fine 2033 Crown Drive Saint

Augustine, FL 32092 - USA – Mike (Email address: afinemike@gmail.com)