Tag Archives: South African Air Force
Hercules C130 aka “Flossie”
Hercules C130 Flossie aka “Flossie”
A while back, whilst we were running a series on SAAF aircraft, the question arose as to how the Hercules C130 got the nickname ‘Flossie’. Well, here we have it courtesy of Jan Marais from Who’s Who in the SAAF.
Here is the story of where the name “FLOSSIE” came from.
Not many years after the arrival of the C130B’s onto the SAAF register, South Africa became embroiled in a Border War along the South West African/Angolan border. There has been much good and bad written about that conflict and I am not going to add further to that issue, other than to point out that the C130’s were used on a daily basis to convey troops and material to and from the border, and in later years SAFAIR, operating L100’s, were contracted to assist in the air transport effort. To the casual observer the C130 and L100 look so much alike that one could be forgiven for thinking they were the same. Having said the above I can now get on with story.
At 28 Squadron, the operators of the SAAF C130’s, was a Flight Engineer named Phil or “Flippie”. He was a most dedicated man who ate, slept and dreamed C130. In his private life he was a most disciplined man (real old school, soldier), who never did a half job of anything. You all know the type, “if its worth doing, do it properly or don’t do it at all”
Phil was married to a lady with the real old English name of Florence. In her family she was called Flo, and among her siblings she was called Flossie. (by now you can see where this is going)
Photo: Johan Stephens
Being the consummate professional Phil would ALWAYS walk out, long before the rest of the crew, to the aircraft he was scheduled to fly in and do a proper pre-flight inspection. A few of his fellow flight engineers would pull his leg and tell him the aircraft was only due for a major technical inspection at a future date. His standard reply was “Chaps, if you treat and look after your aircraft like you look after your wife, she will never let you down” This comment always gave all of his Squadron mates a smile. Over the months, whenever his crew were due to walk out to the aircraft they would ask “where is Flippie, is he at Flossie? or Come guys we shouldn’t keep Flossie waiting” or comments along those lines.
In time the reference to Flossie was made more often at the movement control section at Air Force Base Waterkloof and more and more people became attuned to this reference and this then morphed into all troop transport, becoming known as “FLOSSIE”
You may ask how I know this bit of history. The simple answer is that Phil was my Father and “FLOSSIE: was my Mother.
Look into Armed Forces Day 2020
As Armed Forces Day 2020 approaches us, we can look forward to another action packed week of events being hosted in Polokwane in the Limpopo Province as this will be the first Armed Forces day to be hosted in the province.
The South African National Defence force will once again wow the crowds with both a capability demonstration at Roodewal Bombing range, fan park activities and much more!
The main event of the Armed Forces Day celebrations will be held at Thabo Mbeki Street in Polokwane, All Arms-of-Service of the SANDF will take salute from the Commander-in-Chief of
the Armed Forces. As part of the day`s programme, there will be a national and SANDF flags fly-past, various landward, air and sea elements on display during the parade.
Armed Forces Day is hosted by the SANDF annually on a rotation basis-at one of the nine provinces in the Republic of South Africa on the 21 February to honour South African soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice and died in the line of duty, serving their country and as well as the current men and women in uniform who continue to put their lives in danger-in pursuit of stability that would ensure that our country and the entire African continent is at peace with herself.
More information will be available after the Media Briefing on 29 January. as Aviation Central will attend the AFD2020
Mafikeng Airshow 2019, a sneak peek
The 2019 Mafikeng Air Show
About The 2019 Mafikeng Air Show
On 22 June 2019 the skies above Mafikeng will be filled with the sound of aircraft when the Mafikeng Air Show takes place. Visitors to this year’s show can expect some of the best aerobatic displays that are available in South Africa. A variety of solo and formation aerobatics and parachute jumping will be presented to the spectators. Apart from the air show, there will be a learner expo on Friday 21 June where the focus will be on introducing aviation to the learners of Mafikeng. The air show will have something for everyone. A kiddie’s zone, food and hawker stalls and a beer garden will be there to make the day enjoyable. For the adventurous there will be helicopter flips. This year the air show is presented and organised by MAMCO, the company that manages the Mafikeng airport and Neo Heights, an aviation services company. There are a number of other role players such as Air Traffic and Navigational Services, the SAPS, the local Mafikeng Traffic Department, the Emergency Services and staff of the Mafikeng airport. Capital Sounds will be giving live commentary and music. Air Show South Africa coordinates these various groups to ensure that the air show will be safe for participants and spectators. This is the first air show in the North-West Province in the last few years and the only show in North West this year. The Mafikeng Air Show on 22 June is an event that everyone must attend. It promises to be a real monate experience.
Tickets for The 2019 Mafikeng Air Show
Tickets available online at ticketpro, click here to get yours now
R50 – Kids
R100 – Adult
R500 – VIP
VIP benefits includes:
– Golf cart carriage to VIP Marquee
– VIP Parking
– all day finger foods
– pilot meet and greet
Aircraft @ The 2019 Mafikeng Air Show
Some of the Aircraft that will be attending is The Flying Lions led by Selwyn “Scully” Levin, Dennis Spence and the Goodyear Eagles, Little Annie, Menno Parsons and Mustang Sally, Pierre Gouws and Many more. The South African Air Force will also take part at The 2019 Mafikeng Air Show.
SAAF Aircraft includes SAAB Gripen, CASA, Silver Falcons, Oryx and the A109
Fly- in to The 2019 Mafikeng Air Show
The Mafikeng Air Show will host an early morning Flyin with a breakfast for Flyin Pilots and crew. Airshow officially starts at 12h30, Lots of time for you to Fly in and have a Brekkie with the Guys at Mafikeng Airshow
