GLORY DAYS PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES
84 FLYPAST December 2018
Rhodesia’sRhodesia’sRhodesia’s WinWings
Flying mainly British aircraft, the Royal Rhodesian Air Force became
one of the most effi cient in Africa, as Andrew Thomas highlights
I
n Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), the fledgling SRAF slowly expanded after World War Two and
by the early 1950s was flying Vampire jets alongside its transports and trainers. On October 15, 1954,
following the formation of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, the SRAF was renamed the
Royal Rhodesian Air Force and continued to grow for the rest of the decade. Its roundel was based on
that of the RAF but with the addition of three assegais (spears), which were reduced to one following the
dissolution of the Federation in 1963.Above
The RRAF acquired its fi rst helicopters
during 1962, in the shape of the French-
built Alouette III, eight of which were
initially purchased for the newly formed
7 Squadron.Right
Throughout the 1950s, the main RRAF
fi ghter was the de Havilland Vampire and
the establishment included two-seat T.11s,
which also had an operational role with
both 1 and 2 Squadrons.Right
Four Canadair C.4 Argonauts were
acquired for long-range transport work
with 3 Squadron in 1959. The fi rst was
RRAF 181, seen in Britain before delivery.
Its trim and titles are in medium green.
The Rhodesian colours, and fi n fl ashes
were added later. WG CDR PETER COOKE