“Hit the floor – it’s 24”

By CO Maryke Lynn

On 3 November 1965, just after 15:00, Buccaneer 412, crewed by Cmdt R.H.D. Rogers and Maj J.J. Murphy, touched down at Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof. This event heralded the beginning of 26 exciting years of Buccaneer operations in the South African Air Force (SAAF).

A 40th anniversary Buccaneer S Mk 50 aircrew reunion, to commemorate this occasion, was held in the Buccaneer Hall at AFB Waterkloof’s Officers Club on 4 November 2005. Fittingly, this “stag” get-together was kicked off with a group photo in front of Buccaneer 412 – currently the Gate Guard at AFB Waterkloof – which was recently repainted in her original colours.

This memorable reunion was attended by 50 of the remaining 74 pilots and navigators that operated the Buccaneer during its distinguished career in the South African skies – sure proof of the undeniable bond that exists between these old friends and colleagues. The notable guest list included the President of the Buccaneer Aircrew Association, Chief Air Marshal Sir Michael Knight, two previous Chiefs of the SAAF, Lt Gen Muller and Lt Gen Van Loggerenberg, the present General Officer Commanding Air Command, Maj Gen Labuschagne, and a number of other former Officers Commanding 24 Squadron.

The function started on a nostalgic note in remembrance of former colleagues who over the years, have departed to the great ‘crew room’ in the sky. As the evening progressed, e-mails from comrades all over the world were read, ever strengthening the bond that ties these legends together. This was followed by a look at what the future of the SAAF holds and a couple of memorable stories of days gone by. Throughout the evening the unique atmosphere of Buccaneer aircrew solidarity was enhanced by the screening of historic video material and photos.

24 Squadron’s unofficial motto – “Hit the floor - it’s 24” – says something about the spirit of the crews who were fortunate enough to be associated with this great aircraft. The members of 24 Squadron referred to one another as ‘the Pirates’ – appropriate when considering the connotation of the aircraft’s name and its primary task, which was to swoop down on and knock out enemy shipping.

Sixteen of this big, folding-wing, two-seater jets, which were originally designed to operate from aircraft carriers, were ordered by South Africa in January 1963. The SAAF version of the Buccaneer included a rocket pack to equip it for South Africa’s hot and high conditions. These rocket packs could generate a massive
3 600 kg of thrust for 32 seconds and assisted the aircraft, which had a maximum mass of 28 tonnes, to attain the necessary airspeed in the climb attitude during take-off. Since the aircraft’s folding wings were not required for land-based service, they were later fixed to stop their unjustified maintenance expenses.

After the bush war, the Air Force had to downsize since the defence budget was being pruned and, sadly, the Buccaneers’ wings were clipped; over what was previously known as the Northern and Eastern Transvaal, at a low altitude of 100 feet and a speed of 420 knots, Col Pikkie Siebrits, the last Officer Commanding 24 Squadron, led a formation of Buccaneers on its last “official” flight and farewell trip on 28 March 1991.