35 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is a maritime patrol and transport squadron.

35 Squadron
Avro Shackleton no. 1717, c. 1982
Active15 February 1945 - present
CountrySouth Africa South Africa
Branch South African Air Force
Rolemaritime patrol and transport squadron
BaseAFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town
Motto(s)Shaya Amanzi
("Strike the Water")
AircraftC-47TP "Turbo Dakota"
Insignia
Squadron Identification CodeMS (1939-1945)[1]
Squadron Crest

History

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The squadron was formed on 15 February 1945[2][3][4] when 262 Squadron Royal Air Force, an anti-submarine squadron, operating the Consolidated Catalina, was transferred to the South African Air Force.

Awards

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  • Award for Best Permanent Flying Unit in the SAAF for both 2004 and 2005
  • Sword of Peace in 2013[5]

Aircraft operated

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From To Aircraft Variant
Feb 1945 Jan 1957 Consolidated Catalina Mk.IVb
Apr 1945 Oct 1956 Short Sunderland GR.5
late 1940s 1952 North American Harvard
late 1940s Supermarine Spitfire
late 1940s Airspeed Oxford
late 1940s 1960 Lockheed Ventura
Jan 1957 Nov 1984 Avro Shackleton MR.3
Nov 1984 1994 Douglas Dakota C-47 "Dackleton"
Dec 1990 Present Douglas Dakota C-47TP "Turbo Dakota"

Officer Commanding

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From To Rank Name & Surname
?? 2017 Lt. Col Donovan Chetty
2018 Present Col van de Horst

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Becker, Dave (1991). On Wings of Eagles. Durban: Walker-Ramus. p. 181. ISBN 0-947478-47-7.
  2. ^ Rawlings 1982, pp. 185-186.
  3. ^ Halley 1988, p. 328.
  4. ^ Jefford 2001, p. 82.
  5. ^ "Sword of Peace for 35 Squadron". Defence Web. Retrieved 8 February 2013.

Bibliography

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  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Spring, Ivan. Flying Boat: The History of 262 Squadron RAF and the origins of 35 Squadron SAAF. Johannesburg, South Africa: Spring Air, 1995. ISBN 0-9583977-2-4.
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