Vlamgat: The Story of the Mirage F1 in the South African Air Force (Paperback)

Their hands are shaking ever so slightly. They will be flying again in the morning Vlamgat, literally flaming hole in Afrikaans, was the nickname the South African Air Force (SAAF) gave to the Mirage F1, its formidable frontline jet fighter during South Africas long border wars in South West Africa (Namibia) and Angola from the late 1960s to the late 1980s. Battling Soviet MiG-21s over African skies, the Vlammies, the Mirage pilots as they were affectionately known, acquitted themselves with distinction and honour. Vlamgat is a gripping account of these pilots and their deeds of bravery; their experiences are authentically related with accuracy, humour and pathosby the author, himself a Vlammie. As Willem Hechter, former Chief of the SAAF, Vlamgat deserves a place of pride in the long history of this, the second oldest air force in the world. Brigadier-General Dick Lord joined the Royal Navy as an air cadet in 1958, where he qualified as a fighter pilot. Flying Sea Venoms and Sea Vixens, he served on board the aircraft carriers Centaur, Victorious, Hermes and Ark Royal on cruises around the world. In the mid 60s, he was selected for a two-year exchange tour with the US Navy, flying A4 Skyhawks and F4 Phantoms out of San Diego, California. He completed tours of air warfare instruction, flying Hunters out of the naval air stations at Lossiemouth, Scotland and Brawdy, Wales. He returned to South Africa in early 70s and joined the South African Air Force (SAAF), flying Impalas, Sabres and Mirage IIIs. During the Border War, he commanded 1 Squadron, flying Mirage F1AZs into Angola, followed by running air force operations out of Oshikati, Windhoek and SAAF Headquarters in Pretoria. A highlight of his career was organizing the successful fly-past of 76 aircraft for Nelson Mandelas inauguration as President of South Africa in 1994. MAIN INDEX Author’s Note About the author Acknowledgements Contents List of Maps and Diagrams Foreword by Lieutenant-General W.H. Hechter SSAS, SD, SM, MMM. INTRODUCTION CHAPTERS Chapter 1 – Acquisition of a legend Defence requirements Evaluation team SAAF project team in France First flights Chapter 2 - Return to South Africa F1CZ deliveries F1AZ pro ject officers join 3 Squadron First air-to-air camp Chapter 3 - 13 Squadron Command confusion Arrival of F1AZs Destruction at Rust de Winter Inter-squadron rivalry In-flight refuelling Supersonic Air Combat Manoeuvring (ACM) Chapter 4 - 1977 Laying foundations 1 Squadron nucleus Squatter status Close shave one Close shave two Weaponry Chapter 5 - 1978 Border war escalation Talk of War Grounding frustrations Cassinga War by default 49-ship Mirage formation Foreign inputs Chapter 6 - 1979 The rising storm First operational deployment Schism Tragedy The pot starts simmering Canberra down Saffraan Dikvel Rekstok Accidental discharge Combat flap Chapter 7 - 1980 Nearing boil ing point New OC 3 Squadron Formation mishap Temporary OC 1 Squadron Smokeshell and Sceptic Permanent OC 1 Squadron Panty ripping A screw loose Chapter 8 - 1981 The pot boils over Arrival in Hoedspruit FSG The Snake Park Border war escalation Protea Konyn Knife Citrus Board Close shave in Durban Daisy First MiG kill Chapter 9 - 1982 Stoking The Fire Breathing space Armourers Super Rekstok III Busy weekend Rest and recreation At Waterkloof Honorary Colonel Meebos Chapter 10 – 1983 Paradigm shift Phoenix Saamwerk Skerwe Spoof raids Askari Chapter 11 – 1984 An uneasy peace Askari winds down Joint Monitoring Commission Loss of Mirage F1AZ 228 Frustration Chapter 12 – 1985 Internationalisation of the conflict Squadron training Valknes Loss of Mirage F1AZ: Cripple Two Mirage F1AZ cabriolet Mirage F1AZ 221 into the barrier Golden Eagle Out-negotiated by the Communists Second Congress Introduction of pre-frag bombs Turkey shoot Vergooi goes operational Chapter 13 – 1986 The lull before the storm New OC 3 Squadron Loss of Mirage F1CZ 215 New OC 1 Squadron The state of the war Chapter 14 – 1987 All hell breaks loose Tying up the loose ends Bellombra Moduler MiG surprise A step into the Third generation Hooper The bridge over the River Cuito The lion’s testicles Chapter 15 – 1988 Stalemate Hooper continued Lubango again Mirage F1AZ shoot down Two quick dogfights Loss of Mirage F1AZ in Angola Training, training, training Chapter 16 – 1989 to 1992 Beginning of the end – 3 Squadron New OC Personalities and projects Inadvertent discharge Running down Semper Pugnans—the end Chapter 17 – 1989 to 1991 Return to peace Temporary OC April Fool’s Day Training New Year Hydraulic problems Panty rippers Bagpipes Chapter 18 – 1992 to 1994 Hanging on a thread New OC Loss of F1AZ 221 The Russian connection Projects 1993 The Great Air Race Operation Reeftan Elections 1994 Potchefstroom punch-out A treasured moment Flying united Year end Stay of execution Chapter 19 – 1995 to 1997 The end of an era The final lap The original Billy Boy The new South Af rica 1996 1997 The final curtain The Mirage F1 song APPENDIXES 1 - Mirage F1 Pilots 2 - Technical and Intelligence Officers on 1 and 3 Squadrons 3 - Mirage F1 Aircraft Lost/Damaged in Accidents and Operations 4 - Resume of V3 Air-to Air Missiles 5 - Squadron Commanding Officers 6 - Awards and Decorations - Mirage F1 period 7 - One of our aircraft is missing 8 - The Billy Boys' Song 9 - A Day on the Flight Line Glossary Bibliography Index ADDITIONAL MATERIAL General Rafael Del Pino - The African Adventure Cuban pilots who served in Angola Pilotos de Helicóptero que participaron en Cangamba "Vlamgat, literally 'flaming hole' in Africakaans, was the nickname of South African Air Force (SAAF) gave to the Mirage F1, its formidable frontline jet fighter, during South Africa's long 'border wars' in South West Africa (Namibia) and Angola from the late 1960s to the late 1980s. Battling Soviet MiGs over African skies, the Vlammies, as the Mirage pilots were affectionately known, acquitted themselves with distinction and honour." -- Page 4 of cover