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      • Euroclones - An essentiel collector's guide
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      • M1 v. M75 An essential comparison: US M1 and Austrian M75 steel helmets.
      • Not without my helmet!
      • The M1 Helmet of World War Two - A Basic Overview.
      • THE HISTORY OF THE RUSSIAN STEEL HELMET 1916-1945
      • Showcase: A beginner's guide to COMPOSITE HELMETS.
      • 10 other uses for military helmets
    • Uniforms and Headgear
      • An introduction to British and Commonwealth WWII Officer's peak caps.
      • Anodised Aluminium: The ‘No Bull’ Cap Badge of the British Army
      • British Officers’ Peak Caps of the Second World War
      • Grunt
      • Understanding Austrian Army caps
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      • HGM Auf Radern & Ketten 2016 review
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      • Forgotten Hope 2 PC game
      • Last Execution
      • Matthew Cook – War Artist
      • Radio Controlled mini submarine review: T2M B2 Sub Explorer II
      • The History of the Springfield M1903 Rifle
      • The Mysterious Lt. Dr. Humphry By James Katzenstein
      • The South African Air Force in colour
      • ​Three Reasons Why War Memorabilia Collecting is a Viable Investment Strategy
    • Bookshelf
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      • An exciting new book series from Pen & Sword Books
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      • John Lewes author interview
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Interesting Articles.

Inform yourself and fuel your passion.

The South African Air Force in colour
September. 2015

British Officers’ Peak Caps of the Second World War
Click on the cap badge to visit the FB page.
The South African Air Force, S.A.A.F - S.A.L.M, was formed in 1912 as the South African Aviation Corps., and can claim to be one of the oldest such organisations. As well as supplying pilots to the Royal Flying Corps. during World War I, it also saw fighting against the Germans in South West Africa. After the Armistice in 1918 it was separated from the army and eventually disbanded. However, this was far from the end of the story, as shortly afterwards the S.A.A.F officially came into being on the 1st of February 1923.

With the outbreak of the Second World War the S.A.A.F numbered around 1500 officers and men, and were flying an outdated fleet of Fairey Battles, Blenheims and Hurricaines. Further aircraft were acquired from South African Airways in the form of civilian Junker Ju 52s and Ju 86s. The S.A.A.F was to see extensive action in many theatres from North Africa, Sicily and Italy, to Yugoslavia and Poland, as well as coastal command operations closer to home. From its humble beginnings its size would swell to well over 40 000 officers and men, serving 35 squadrons, with its fair share of “Aces” and not to mention those officers serving in the RAF and RCAF. It's fleet of aircraft also dramatically increased in size and would include Beauforts, Kittyhawks, Marylands, Mosquitoes and Spitfires.

Numerous DFCs were awarded and Britain's highest accolade for bravery, the Victoria Cross, was awarded posthumously to Major Edwin Swales, for completing his precision bombing mission and returning his damaged Lancaster back home, giving his life to save his crew.

This colourful history is the focus of one man's hobby. Tinu Le Roux's fascinating Facebook page “WW2 SAAF Coloured Photographs” shows a selection of period sepia photographs that he has expertly colourised, with stunning results. In recent years there has been a growing interest to colour WWII imagery, and whilst photo colouring is not a new practise or indeed art form, the basic principle and sensitivity of the artist remain just as valid as it always has. Most modern artists choose not to use brushes and paint but instead have been drawn to the new medium of digital photo suites.

This means that pictures can be sourced from digital libraries, collections and museums, and effects added, manipulated or removed without any loss of quality or damage to the original photo. In the hands of an expert, such as Mr Le Roux, modern colourisation techniques can not only imitate the traditional process and result, but go further by emphasising the subject, thus creating truly real and vibrant images. Images that hail more from yesterday than yester-year.

The colourised photographs of aircraft and pilots on his Facebook page help to bring the S.A.A.F to life and bring a more personal connection to the subjects and indeed the past. For aircraft fanatics and those sharing an interest in the Second World War you may find yourself engrossed in this page and if you are like myself, you will not be disappointed by your visit.

To learn more about the South African Air Force, you may like to consider visiting the unofficial website here.
For histories and stories from wartime veterans, and much much more visit the SAAF WW2 Heritage Site.

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  • HQ
  • BOOKS
    • Reference Books
  • ARTICLES
    • Helmets
      • Euroclones - An essentiel collector's guide
      • Helmet trends
      • Les Casques Militaires des Etats de l'Amerique Latin
      • M1 v. M75 An essential comparison: US M1 and Austrian M75 steel helmets.
      • Not without my helmet!
      • The M1 Helmet of World War Two - A Basic Overview.
      • THE HISTORY OF THE RUSSIAN STEEL HELMET 1916-1945
      • Showcase: A beginner's guide to COMPOSITE HELMETS.
      • 10 other uses for military helmets
    • Uniforms and Headgear
      • An introduction to British and Commonwealth WWII Officer's peak caps.
      • Anodised Aluminium: The ‘No Bull’ Cap Badge of the British Army
      • British Officers’ Peak Caps of the Second World War
      • Grunt
      • Understanding Austrian Army caps
    • Shows & Events
      • A trip to a museum
      • HGM Auf Radern & Ketten 2016 review
    • General Interest
      • A guide to selling your militaria.
      • Action Guide
      • A Time to Reflect
      • Dad's Army – the movie!
      • Forgotten Hope 2 PC game
      • Last Execution
      • Matthew Cook – War Artist
      • Radio Controlled mini submarine review: T2M B2 Sub Explorer II
      • The History of the Springfield M1903 Rifle
      • The Mysterious Lt. Dr. Humphry By James Katzenstein
      • The South African Air Force in colour
      • ​Three Reasons Why War Memorabilia Collecting is a Viable Investment Strategy
    • Bookshelf
      • An End of Empire
      • An exciting new book series from Pen & Sword Books
      • French Warships
      • From Colonial Warrior to Western Front Flyer. The Five wars of Sydney Herbert Bywater Harris.
      • John Lewes author interview
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