Decommissioning Parade.

Program of the Decommissioning Parade of the Impala Mk I & Mk II.

All guests seated, the Ceremonial Squadron, Unit Colours and SAAF band arrived for the parade. The General Salute followed the arrival of the Revue Officer (CAF Lt Gen C. Gagiano ) and Entourage ( Maj Gen Labuschagne & Brig Gen Pierre du Plessis ). A reading of the Code of Conduct of the SANDF was followed by the scripture reading & prayer by Padre Burt. Inspection of the parade was carried out by the Revue Officer and Entourage and with their return to the podium the parade formed up for the march past the podium. This also included the colours of 85 Combat Flying School. In his address the CAF, Lt Gen C. Gagiano paid tribute to the Impala and all the roles in which the aircraft served with distinction for several years. Interestingly, the CAF was a member of the first pupil pilot course on the then new Impala trainer. As technology progressed and with changing needs of a modern Air Force so too did the need arise for a new aircraft to replace the venerable Impala. As the Hawk Mk120 LIFT was currently entering service with the SAAF, aspects of the new aircraft also formed part of the speech. Final compliments were paid and were followed by the withdrawal of the podium group. The Ceremonial Squadron and SAAF Band did their withdrawal soon afterwards.

Arrival of the parade.	Unit Colours of 85 CFS - Combat Flying School.
The Revue Officer, current CAF, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, took the General Salute.

As the Decommission Parade was completed, everyone was invited to the function in a special prepared hangar in typical SAAF hospitality. Upon entering the functional area guests were treated to historical photos from the “lines boeke” (books which record the history of the Sqdn with typical photos of the day) of several squadrons in which the Impala served. This set the atmosphere which formed the talking point for many of the guests who met up with old friends. Butch Bester one of the first test pilots were one of the guest speakers at the function. Also on display inside the hangar was Impala Mk1 no 610 (the last Mk I delivered) and an Impala Mk II. 

So ends another aircraft’s career with the SAAF which formed the largest number of jet aircraft of a single type to serve with the SAAF. In the last few months several of the aircraft and spare equipment has been up for sale. Many of the inspection officers of the foreign Air Forces remarked at the extraordinary good condition in which the aircraft were available for sale - this despite the large number of airframe hours recorded in the log books. In all true testament to our fighter force, the maintenance standards and the ability of our aerospace industry. Over the last few years small batches were sold to undisclosed foreign buyers. Most of the remaining two seater aircraft (13 in total) and relevant spares were bought by Brazil. Some flights in support of this programme may still be carried out in South Africa during 2006. The fate of the single seaters have not been confirmed. One Mk II no 1000 (first Mk II delivery) and one Mk I no 589 are already preserved at the SAAF Museum Swartkops. It is hoped Impala Mk II no 1063 “Gannet” in an alternative colour scheme to commemorate the 25 th anniversary of 85 CFS will also form part of the exhibits at SAAF Museum - Swartkops. 85 CFS will complete the final movement to AFB Makhado in January 2006 to be equipped with the Hawk Mk120 LIFT as part of integration tests of the new aircraft with the SAAF. Only Squadron to remain at Hoedspruit is 19 Squadron – mother unit of the Oryx helicopter squadrons.

The only flying example in South Africa, an Mk I no 479, is now privately owned by Mike Weingartz and David Laas. Incidentally Mike Weingartz with more than 5000 hours on the Impala has the highest hours on the type world wide. No Mk II is currently privately owned.

The Impala will always be remembered as being the first aircraft and also the first jet aircraft to be entirely locally manufactured by an indigenous aerospace industry created from scratch. Subsequently, true to it’s namesake, the Impala antelope which is South Africa’s most common antelope, the Impala aircraft formed the largest number of jet aircraft in service with the SAAF – a total of 150 Mk Is and a total of 100 Mk IIs were produced. Hardly surprising as South Africa was the largest operator of the type, even surpassing Italy. In SAAF service, the 'Impala' Mk I was used as an excellent jet-aviation trainer and formation aerobatics aircraft ( a total of 1079 pilots qualified on the Mk I) - while the Mk II served with distinction as the best light attack jet aircraft, of it's time. It is even credited with a number of aerial victories.

For more information see the Impala Knowledge Base article.

For photos and reports on the various air show routines flown by Impala aircraft during 2005 see Airshow Reports.