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Written by Anton Dyason - IPMS SA Media Group
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Friday, 26 July 2002 |
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Page 4 of 5  | The Cheetah 'drivers' and the pilots of fast jet Squadrons become members of the exclusive "Mach Plus" club - when the blip watchers of the ground based radar tracking facility acknowledge, the rookie's flight speed passed the illusive speed of sound! Upon landing, the rookie is carried to a specially prepared, freezing cold, ice-bath - to bring him quickly back to earth. Followed by the normal celebrations in the Squadron's pub. The pilot then receive the "Mach Plus" patch - it is normally carried above the left breast pocket of the flight suit. Members are few, but include pilots from the former Mirage III, F1 and Cheetah aircraft - also a few celebrities, like Cabinet Ministers and foreign representatives. This is one of the proud traditions of the South African fast jet pilots. |
 | Probably the most famous 2 Sqdn tradition is the red coloured pilot helmet. Under operational conditions the helmet would be white (early years) and olive drab (later years). In later years the pilot's call sign was applied to the front of the helmet. While some Cheetah D pilots have painted their helmets in different colours, eg. the colours of the new National flag, the fighter pilots sticked to tradition with the red colour. |  |  |
International Arena: The transformation process in South Africa brought about a new era of international co-operation. The lifting of the Arms Embargo (1977 till 1994) made such efforts far easier. This made it possible for the SAAF to once again take up it's place in the international arena. In view of the SAAF being the world's second oldest Air Force, many foreign Air Forces accepted the invitation to participate in the SAAF's 75th anniversary during 1995. As the SAAF was in the market for new aircraft, SAAF 75 International Airshow at Waterkloof was the ideal setting to attract possible SAAF interest. Cheetah Ds with the "Reds". Some of the aircraft remained in South Africa, after SAAF 75 to give the SAAF, a closer look at some of the aircraft. An example being the Russian Mig 29 and Su 35 (displayed for the first time in the West) that visited 2 Sqdn.
Remarks by the Russian Delegation visiting South Africa on the combat readiness of South African pilots. The Vice Chairman of the Council of the Russian Service Air Centre sang the following appraisals of South African pilots in a leading Russian Aviation Magazine.
"According to a unanimous estimation of our military pilots, as well as the industry test pilots taking part in the exercises, the aviators of South Africa in comparison with other countries seems more professionally trained. They can perform practically all the manoeuvres of close and medium range air combat and they know how to perform anti-radar and anti-missile manoeuvres. In air they seem like fish in water. I estimate the Republic of South Africa's pilots have surpassed the Americans in many respects. It nevertheless surprised us that the South Africans have completely mastered all modern measurers, for long range as well as close air combat." Source: SAAF Video Magazine, 01/99
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 24 February 2008 )
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