Rhodesian Air Force

[Hellfish]

Partially inspired by the British Cold War aircraft thread. The RhAF probably saw more action than nearly any other airforce in Africa while it existed, despite having ancient and horribly overused aircraft.

The Rhodesian Air Force command and rank structure was based on the British Royal Air Force. It was commanded by an Air Marshal who, like his counterpart in the Army, was accountable to the Minister of Defense. The RhAF was never a large air force. In 1965, it consisted of only 1,200 regular personnel. At the peak of its strength during the insurgency, it had a maximum of 2,300 personnel of all races; but of these, only 150 were pilots actively involved in combat operations. These pilots, however, were able to fly all of the aircraft in the Air Force inventory, which gave the RhAF a considerable amount of flexibility. Pilots were rotated through the various squadrons partly to maintain their skills on all aircraft and partly to relieve fellow pilots flying more dangerous sorties.

http://members.tripod.com/selousscou...ity_forces.htm

Artists impression of a Cessna 337 "Lynx" in action. A painting in the Officers Mess at Thornhill.

"Lynx" aircraft were actually any aircraft converted from civillian to military use as strike/CAS or trainers. There were several dozen Lynxes at any given time of several different makes and models, providing CAS to the soldiers, recce or overhead protection to civillian convoys. There were often fitted with FN MAG or Browning .30cal MGs, light rockets or small "frantan" bombs, which were essentially homemade napalm.

Vampire T.11 with under-wing rocket rails. The Vampire T.11 was used by the RhAF for jet conversion before doing armament practice and operational training in the Vampire FB.5.

Often the 20mm cannons from inoperable Vampires were converted to vehicle mounted weapons, especially for the homemade APCs and armored cars of the Selous Scouts' Flying Columns for use in raids deep into Mozambique.




RhAF Canberra light bomber







RhAF Hawker Hunter with Roundel

Alouette 111B 'R5077' of No 7 Squadron seen outside the Salisbury Showgrounds in January 1971.

Hawker Hunter FGA9 &DH Vampire T55?. There are no markings visible on either aircraft except for a three digit mark inside the flaps of the Vampire, possibly the original South African Air Force serial as around this time 1969/1970 it is reported that the Rhodesian Air Force acquired the first 10 Vampire T55s from South Africa, a further 11 were said to have arrived later along with a number of single seat FB52s. This is one of the Airwork hangars, Salisbury Airport, which was the company that was involved exclusively on work for the Rhodesian Air Force. Photo taken in May 1971, that is one of the RUAC (Rhodesian United Air Carriers) hangar behind.

Douglas C47 Dakotas at No.3 Squadron dispersal, Rhodesian Air Force base, New Sarum, Salisbury Airport. This was July 1971. The nearest C47 does not appear to have any markings, this became the norm, eventually all the Dakotas lost the RhAF roundels and serials, later still they were in full camouflage markings.

This aircraft was returning to the Airwork hangar in April 1971 after a flight test, having undergone major maintenance with Airwork who had the contract from the RhAF for this work. Many of the Airwork employees were ex Royal Air Force with years of experience on the British jet aircraft used by the Rhodesian Air Force. This particular aircraft is reported to be ex RAF 'WJ578 of 27 Squadron RAF before being acquired by Rhodesia in 1959. I remember the shock I felt when later that year I heard that this aircraft had crashed off the end of '06' at Salisbury on the evening of 16th November 1971, both crew members were killed, Fl.Lt.A.G.Roughead (pilot) and Air Lt.G.N.Robertson (Nav). The aircraft had suffered a 'Frame 21' failure, a crack within the frame of the main wing/airframe attachment point caused by metal fatigue. This became a serious problem for the Rhodesian Air Force Canberras, many being grounded in later years.

DH Vampire FB9. R100

Lots more here: http://www.a2oxford.info/pages/rhodesia/index.htm

[signatory]

thanks man. I wish someone would post a thread like this for all countries

[ENSIGN FOREVER]

[Hellfish]

Cheers, Ensign. I saw those too, but didn't add 'em.

[S.H.P.D]

Very good pics!!!!!!!

[baboon6]

The name Lynx refers only to the Cessna 337 aircraft, the SF260s, the other aircraft used in that role were known as Genets (another African cat). AB205 "Hueys" were called Cheetahs.

A lot of the RhAF Alouettes were actually on loan from the SA Air Force, along with many of the helicopter aircrew. These men were "sheep-dipped" and operated in Rhodesian uniform and to all intents and purposes were temporary members of the RhAF (usually for 2/3 years). Later, on some of the big external raids in 1979, SAAF Pumas and Super Frelons operated in support of Rhodesian forces.

[artistoli]

Superb thread and pictures! I think its time the true story of Britain's betrayal to Rhodesia was told. To think what has become of Rhodesia makes me feel very sad.

ps. Those Hunters are absolutely beautiful!

[Hellfish]

The name Lynx refers only to the Cessna 337 aircraft, the SF260s, the other aircraft used in that role were known as Genets (another African cat). AB205 "Hueys" were called Cheetahs.

Really? I remember reading different - perhaps my memory is totally shot.

[Zamboni]

I was looking for a clearer picture of the roundels of the Rhodesian AF and found this:



From here:

http://www.brushfirewars.org/aircraf..._rhodesian.htm

[Uninen]

Too bad there is no Rhodesia anymore. But ive always liked their army and airforce, they made do with very limited resources and also they invented out of nothing some very smart things.. ie the anti-ambush devices on their vehicles so on.

[John M.]

Green Leader strikes again ekse!

[Nordwind]

Excellent photos! Yes it is a shame that Rhodesia doesn't exist anymore but I can't say that I supported the apartheid like policies it had. Oh well, that's in the past! Nice roundels they have there.

[Marvin!!]

Gotta love the Hunter. Such a graceful bird, not to mention the beautiful and unique sound it's engine makes

[vulcanxm603]

The 'Lynx' was a modified version of the civilian Cessna 337. It was adapted to carry various underwing weapons as well as 2 x .303 brownings abve the wing roots. It did not have the self sealing fuel tanks and armour that the Cessna 02 Skymaster of the USAF had.
The SF260W was coded 'Genet' by the RhAF.
The 20mm cannons of unrepairable Vampires were also fitted to specially adapted Alouette III helicopters. These were known as 'K' Cars (the K standing for Kill) as opposed to the 'G' Car that carried either twin 7,62 MAGs (LMGs) or .303 Brownings.

[vulcanxm603]

Here are some more pics of Rhodesian AF aircraft.