May 11, 2025
Ivan DE VILLIERS was born on 31 March 1892 in the Griquastad area of South Africa, the son of Pieter Gysbertus DE VILLIERS and Agnes Margaret Josephine MELLE. His nickname was Slim. His father was born on 05 December 1839 Read more…
South Africa’s early aviation is rich in stories and often little-known facts. I’ve looked at some people and events that shaped the industry. FACT OR MYTH? William John HOUSHOLD immigrated to South Africa from England with his wife, Elizabeth, and Read more…
May 10, 2025
Six people died and thirty-six were injured in Kuruman after a bomb was accidentally dropped on a crowd during a military show on 28 May 1924 at about 16:00. The air show was organised by the Kuruman Commando with Defence Read more…
In September 2008, I attended a special remembrance day – that for the brave young men of the South African Air Force who flew to the aid of Polish citizens in Warsaw during World War II. I wrote this article Read more…
May 9, 2025
On Saturday 20 April 1968, South African Airways flight SA228 from Johannesburg crashed seconds after take-off from Windhoek’s then J.G. Strijdom Airport just before 21:00. Twelve crew members and 111 passengers died. Five passengers survived the crash. The Boeing 707-344C, Read more…
I have done extensive research in archival records to add details to the crew and passenger manifest. This article is a record of who they were. On Monday, 13 March 1967, South African Airways flight SA406 took off from Port Read more…
May 8, 2025
The first South African woman to volunteer for full-time war service was Phyllis Doreen DUNNING (maiden name HOOPER), who did so on June 1, 1940. Doreen passed away on August 26, 2008, in Howick, South Africa, at the age of Read more…