ORIGINAL SAAF 85 Combat Flying School Patch - Detrimento Sumus - SADF

ORIGINAL SAAF 85 COMBAT FLYING SCHOOL PATCH DETRIMENTO SUMUS SADF

85 Combat Flying School was the SAAFs leading weapons and tactical training unit, based at AFB Pietersburg and later Hoedspruit and Makhado.

Aircraft Flown

Atlas Impala Mk I and Mk II: Used for advanced jet conversion, weapons training and tactical flying until 2005. One Mk II was painted white to resemble the units gannet mascot.

Mirage IIIEZ, DZ and D2Z: Used to prepare pilots for supersonic interception and tactical strike operations.

Training Duties

Instructors taught air-to-ground rocketry, cannon strafing, air combat manoeuvring and high-G dogfighting. The school prepared pilots for frontline squadrons and supported the Silver Falcons aerobatic team.

Why This Patch Belongs in Your Collection

The circular Swooping Gannet emblem represents the SAAFs advanced fighter-training programme. This authentic aircrew patch was designed for flight-overall wear and features dense period embroidery.

The motto Detrimento Sumus means Destruction Is Our Business.

A scarce piece of SAAF fast-jet training historynot a modern reproduction.