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Top Photos: P. van Schalkwyk. After almost 40 years of an distinguished service career with the South African Air Force (SAAF) - the sun sets on the Impala fleet of the SAAF. The decommission parade was held on 30 November 2005 at AFB Hoedspruit the current home of 85 Combat Flying School.
At the close of business on Wednesday, 30 November 2005 with the usual month end routine completed, most of South Africa was ready to head home. However at Hoedspruit - end of the month and the particular time of day meant something way different, as the pilots who were to take part in the last flight of the Impala as part of the SAAF completed their pre-flight checks. As the individual crew chiefs indicated the “All clear!” to the assigned pilots, the harsh reality settled in as the Rolls Royce engines came alive for the very last time as part of actual operational SAAF Impala aircraft. Final flying display.  A formation of 7 Impalas in a Delta formation opened the final Impala flying demonstration. | A few minutes before 17h00 the formation aircraft took off from their home of the last 12 years – AFB Hoedspruit. As four Mk Is and three Mk IIs headed out to the formation form-up point, the large number of priviledged individuals who attended this ceremony from all over South Africa took up their seats for the start of the proceedings. This Decommission Parade was a closed affair and only open to personnel who were actually directly involved with the aircraft during the almost 40 years of service with the SAAF. A formation of 16 Impalas took part in the parade shortly after the type entered service with the SAAF as part of the official opening of the Atlas (now DENEL) Aircraft factory in 1967. Only 7 Impalas ( 4 Mk Is & 3 Mk IIs ) took part in the closing formation which was led by the current “Boss” of 85 CFS, Lt Col Koos Kieck. The “air show” was opened by all 7 Impalas in a Delta formation and after passing the crowd overhead, Jaco Labuschagne in Impala Mk I no 545 broke formation for his individual display. Display was similar to his normal routine and beautifully executed, with the failing light lighting up the silver coloured airframe every so often. One of the spectators to Jaco’s display was his father, Maj Gen Labuschagne (current General Officer Commanding Air Command of the SAAF). As the Mk I called "Complete" the aircraft headed out to the formation form up point for the “Rapier” attack formation demonstration. This was also one of the highlights of the Fighter Meet at AFB Makhado in October 2005, although this time around without pyrotechnics. After the pitch-up manoeuvre to complete the “Rapier” attack display, all Impalas moved a safe distance out of the display area. It was the turn of the Mk II flown by Capt Paul Coetzer. Display was also similar to his standard solo routine we became so accustomed to over the last few months. Both Mk I & Mk II Impalas were displayed at as many air shows possible during the 2005 season. This effort by 85 CFS and SAAF HQ ensured the public got a final glimpse of the aircraft which played such an import part not only in the SAAF but South Africa’s entire aerospace industry. The aerial display of the seven Impalas was closed with a final “vic” formation flypast. With the fly past completed the individual aircraft broke formation for the landing back at Hoedspruit, with the “Boss” first on the ground in a Mk II no 1085, followed by Jacques Mouton in a Mk I no 585, then Catherine Labuschagne in a Mk I no 603, Colin Spaarke in a Mk II no 1075, Jaco Labuschagne in a Mk I no 545, Lance Matabula in a Mk I no 571 and Paul Coetzer in a Mk II no 1094.
|  Jaco Labuschagne in Impala Mk I no 545, displayed the final dual seater solo routine. |  Paul Coetzer in Impala Mk II no 1094 during the final single seater solo routine. |  The last fly past in the Vic formation. | All aircraft taxied to allocated boxed positions, where the pilots spooled up the engines for a few brief moments before performing the mass engine shut down with a single radio call. In the silence that followed, canopies opened as the ground crew placed the access ladders in the slots on the side of the airframe to be able to insert the ejection seat safety pins.  Moments before the mass engine shutdown. |  Pilots & crew chiefs form up for the march back to the hangar. | After the pilot exited the aircraft and with helmet etc removed, both pilot and crew chief came to attention at the front of the aircraft. Starting at the furthest Impala the pilot and crew chief marched in profile to the next group who also joined the march. This was continued until all seven pilots and crew chiefs formed one squadron for the march to the hangar. After the fall out a quick change of clothes was required for the ensuing parade.
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