Description
SAAF had the Mark V. SAAF decal set available (Levos – LEV30)
Following the end of the Second World War, Britain offered it’s Commonwealth air forces a gift of surplus aircraft in recognition of their role during the war. This included 12 Sunderland Mk Vs, while a further three were purchased to retain the fifteen aircraft compliment that was already serving with 35 Squadron
Exquisitely detailed model, accurate dimensions and overall shape.
Finely engraved panel lines. Almost A4-sized decal sheet which includes also complete stencilling for both the exterior and interior, flawlessly printed by Cartograf . Marking schemes for three RAF schemes and one machine operated by the French Aéronavale
(Two of the British machines flew in the Far East in the support of anti-communist insurgent missions in Malaya and Korea, one machine took part in the British airlift during the Berlin blockade and the French machine was based at Lanvéoc-Poulmic Naval Base in 1951)
From November 1945 until February 1946, the 35 Squadron SAAF Short Sunderland’s operated a “Shuttle Service” between Cairo and Durban, transporting 1 786 troops and 55 tons of equipment from Cairo to the Union without injury or loss and without a single flight cancellation due to unserviceability.
Unfortunately, the luck of Sunderland 1706 RB-O ran out on 13 April 1950 when the aircraft struck an unknown submerged object in Durban Bay during take-off. During the salvage attempt, the Aircraft broke in half. The aircraft was Struck off Charge on 12 January 1951 and later sold for scrap on 12 January 1957.
