COVER N. 466 - SOUTH AFRICA

Postmark: no postmark

Posted on ?; received on the 5th June 2024

_________________________________________________________________________________

Another South African cover full of nice aircraft stamps from the secret service :-), just like the previous, a  Zambian postmark hinting that the cover transited through that country.

I think that the sender was again my Secret German Santa, so again  Danke sehr, Wilhelm! Great to receive the pair to your previous SAAF cover. Many thanks!

As mentioned in the notes to Cover #406, South Africa Post Office issued a minisheet on 28APR2021 with 10 "Standard Postage" stamps, celebrating the centenary of the South African Air Force, which was established on the 1st February 1920, equipped with aircraft donated by the United Kingdom from the vast surplus inventory issued out of the First World War.

The stamps are pretty informative in that they contain a small legend indicating the period of usage of the aircraft depicted on each stamp, which are also well identified.

The 5 stamps that in conjunction with those on cover #406 complete the 10 stamp set, were used on this cover and  from left to right, top to bottom, they are illustrated with photographs of the following aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Dakota

South African Air Force is probably the only air force in the world still using its C-47's operationally, although they must be on the verge of being phased out, which is not strange at all, given that the mighty Dakota first flew on 17 December.... 1935.... not bad in terms of operational life and there are a few still operating in various parts of the globe.

North American F-86 Sabre 

Operational with the SAAF between 1953 and 1980, the North American F-86 Sabre, which first flew in 1947, was probably the most produced second generation jet aircraft,  having raised to fame due to the role it played in the Korean war, where  it had to face  and defeat its most  famous opponent, the nifty Mig-15.

It should  be noted on this subject  that the Korean war  also corresponds to  the first operational use of SAAF Sabres since South Africa integrated the joint UN forces participating in the conflict.

 Saab JAS 39 Gripen D

In service with the SAAF since 2008 (and not 2005 as indicated in the stamp, 2005 being, in fact, the year when they were ordered, I believe) the Saab J 39 Gripen is a Swedish Advanced Light Fighter Aircraft (ALFA).

Having first flown in 1988, the Gripen is in service with the air forces of six countries; Sweden; South Africa; Brazil; UK; Thailand and Czech Republic.

Denel Rooivalk AH-2A

The Denel Rooivalk AH-2A is a locally developed attack helicopter that builds on the experience acquired with the Denel Alpha, an also local  development of the Alouette III. As such, the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma platform was modified so as to fulfil the role of an Attack Helicopter, SAAF operating 11 aircraft of the type since 1999.

Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) / Kawasaki MBB BK117 

A joint German/Japanese developed light utility and transport helicopter, six units of the type are in service with the SAAF since 1994

The only post mark on the cover was applied at Lusaka, Zambia's capital, on 14MAY2024.