I joined the SAAF as a NSM in July 82. After basics I went to STT and did my course on IMP's, after which I was transferred to 40SQN. A few months later I was transferred to 19SQN Pumas where I met Kenny, Soutie Sowden, CMDT Church (at that time), CAPT Hunter and a bloke from ATLAS Pat Mulligan. (Sadly that is the only names I can remember from 19SQN). When I was based at Mpacha I was treated really well by the guys I worked with (Alouettes). Some of the guys at the time Pilot Dave Veryn; Flight Engineers Fsgt Chappies (Van Zyl?); Fsgt Salies (as I knew him, not sure of his real name?) Sadly that also is as far as my memory expands, but either way I enjoyed my time at Mpacha & Ondangs. The stinging tail as I saw on Kenny's jacket is a badge I have always tried to get my hands on but could never. I made drawings of the "stinging tail Allo" on masking tape stuck to glass mugs and "fashioned" a sand blaster and blasted the image onto the mug. I gave mugs to most of the guys who left for civvie street whils I was at Mpacha.
Learnt so much about choppers from this decorated veteran airman. Rewarding and well managed interview by Koos. Salute you Kenny!
Lovely discussion, thanks Ken. Walk tall my friend.
Salute, manne. Another fascinating war story!
Thank you Winco, Koos
Hi Kenny long time. Good to see you again. Beaver Shaw
@Gordon Beaver Shaw - come and tell us about your book please, Koos
Nice to see you after all these years Kenny. Beaver Shaw
I joined the SAAF as a NSM in July 82. After basics I went to STT and did my course on IMP's, after which I was transferred to 40SQN. A few months later I was transferred to 19SQN Pumas where I met Kenny, Soutie Sowden, CMDT Church (at that time), CAPT Hunter and a bloke from ATLAS Pat Mulligan. (Sadly that is the only names I can remember from 19SQN). When I was based at Mpacha I was treated really well by the guys I worked with (Alouettes). Some of the guys at the time Pilot Dave Veryn; Flight Engineers Fsgt Chappies (Van Zyl?); Fsgt Salies (as I knew him, not sure of his real name?) Sadly that also is as far as my memory expands, but either way I enjoyed my time at Mpacha & Ondangs. The stinging tail as I saw on Kenny's jacket is a badge I have always tried to get my hands on but could never. I made drawings of the "stinging tail Allo" on masking tape stuck to glass mugs and "fashioned" a sand blaster and blasted the image onto the mug. I gave mugs to most of the guys who left for civvie street whils I was at Mpacha.
Koos,Kenny thanks for the production ,great story
Thanks for sharing your story Kenny, you guys certainly did more than your fair share.
Salute / Saluut.
Would a flight engineer typically be an officer or an NCO ? Never mentioned Kenny’s rank.
Can be both, Kenny was a WO1. Steve Coetzee ended as a captain. Mostly flight sergeants. Koos
Hallo Koos het jy dalk al met At Spies en Stewe Joubert altwee is ex SAAF gepraat?Blessings my ou.
Nee, maar hulle is welkom hier, dankie vir jou ook, Koos