South African Air Force: The Flying Springboks, 1939-80

The South African Air Force (SAAF) was established in 1920 and went on to see action in World War Two and the Korean War. After this, it was involved in providing infantry support during the (at the time) low-intensity Border War (1966-1990) in Angola, South-West Africa and Rhodesia. However, as this war progressed, the intensity of operations increased until the SAAF were compelled to fly fighter missions against Angola. In this book, Gerry van Tonder examines the period between 1939-80, during which the SAAF introduced the jet-engined Gloster Meteor into service in a bid to maintain air superiority against neighbouring nations and beyond.