The Ysterplaat Air Force Base

 

Census records state that on 31 December 1810, one Willem Caesar and the widow Priem and her two children were resident at d’Yzere Plaat (Ysterplaat), a hay farm belonging to a Mr JP Eksteen. Later, as Cape Town expanded, the area became known as Maitland Common.

It is suspected that from as early as 1915 civilian pilots were using this grassy area as an airfield. A manager’s house was erected in 1917 and occupied by Mr FAN Duk, who worked for Aero Services as a pilot and manager of the aerodrome. Next to it was erected the 1920 hangar that was subsequently moved to the museum.

The original airport manager's house, built in 1917

The South African Air Force (SAAF) began using the aerodrome when the air force started what was then known as the SAAF Diamond Mail Service between Cape Town and Alexander Bay in 1925. 

Union Air Gypsy Moths in 1929

In 1938, the Chief Instructor of the then very young SAAF chose Brooklyn Aerodrome as the most appropriate aerodrome in the Peninsula for training purposes. It was known as Union Air Training Group and was tasked with training 100 pilots for the SAAF. Towards the end of 1938, African Air Transport (AAT) also began using the aerodrome to train batches of civilian pilots to SAAF specified standards.

When the Second World War broke out in 1939, AAT was moved from Brooklyn to Tempe, near Bloemfontein, and was absorbed into the SAAF. Brooklyn was to be developed into a full- blown SAAF base, to be known as Brooklyn Air Force Station (AFS).

The Cape Argus of 5 March 1940 reported on the extension scheme at Brooklyn AFS. Prior to the construction of the base, the grass runway was only 900 yards long, but if the adjoining land (which was Government property) were utilized, 1,500 yards of runway could be built. The surface of the runway was also a deciding factor due to its foundation of rock and a good sand overlay. The rock made the surface sound for aircraft of any weight and size. It was finally decided at a conference in Pretoria on 2 May 1940 to proceed with the development. Apart from the land which already belonged to the aerodrome, more land had to be obtained from the Graaff Trust, as well as from the Citizens’ Housing League Company. The land needed from the Graaff Trust could not be purchased and the rental for the 148,5 morgen was then fixed at ₤145 per annum.

The initial phase of development comprised the construction of 1,600 yards of runway. New buildings consisted of 25 Bellman hangers, 4 single-storey workshops, accommodation, and sport facilities for 2,200 personnel. A bulk fuel installation and a railway siding to supply it were among the more expensive constructions to be undertaken. The original old wooden control tower was also to be replaced by a more sturdy and permanent steel construction.

The construction of the hard surface was started immediately and by the end of December 1941 a runway, direction North-South, of 800 x 200 yards and two taxi ways of 100 feet were completed.

Most of the RAF personnel who were to serve at AFS Brooklyn had docked in Cape Town on 2 September 1941. They were temporarily housed in a camp at Pollsmoor. Although the base was to a large degree still under construction, the first Christmas dance was held in the Airmen’s Mess, which together with the Sergeants’ Mess and canteen had been completed.

At first the base’s function was to support the Air Depots, whose job it was to assemble airframes for the war effort. Workshop crews moved on to the station in January 1942. By the end of the war, a grand total of 730 aircraft had been constructed out of a delivery to Cape Town Harbour of 790 airframes.

It was a big day for Brooklyn when the first aircraft, an Avro Anson, landed on the newly constructed airfield on 10 January 1942. Soon afterwards, on 19 January, the first batch of aircraft assembled at this depot took off for flight tests. With the assembling section now in full swing, the personnel numbered 1,200. A ferry flight of 32 pilots was established to deliver the new and repaired aircraft wherever they were needed.

With the increasing air traffic, the go-ahead was given in February 1942 to construct a wireless station with transmitting and receiving buildings. Accommodation facilities were also increased to accommodate up to 1,600 members.

By the end of the Second World War, Brooklyn AFS had made an extensive contribution to the Allied victory, but also faced the first attempt to close it down. However, because Ysterplaat housed several permanent force squadrons and all the necessary security facilities, it proved to be the most suitable home base for the City of Cape Town Auxiliary Squadron. The initial program included dual instruction for the squadron pilots on Harvard aircraft, where the permanent force instructors at Ysterplaat played a vital role.

The base then became known as Air Force Station Ysterplaat. The airfield at the station still looked very much the same as it had been on the day of its establishment. Although everything else was in good condition, it was time to replace the Control Tower with a more permanent structure.

In 1951, new squadrons were established, equipped with Harvards and Venturas, and in April 1953, it was announced that AFS Ysterplaat was to be the new home base for the Air Navigators School.

In January 1954, in support of the Simon’s Town Agreement, No 22 Squadron was reformed at AFS Ysterplaat to operate as 22 Flight, equipped with 9 Lockheed Venturas with the role of medium-range Maritime Reconnaissance, Anti-submarine Warfare and Search-and-Rescue Operations, and would operate around the Cape Sea Route.

Air traffic increased at AFS Ysterplaat in 1954, when South African Airways (SAA) began regular flights from the base. This came about when, during winter, Wingfield became unserviceable due to the prolonged heavy rainfalls. SAA used AFS Ysterplaat until the opening of the D.F. Malan Airport at Bellville on 8 September 1954. In 1955, Wingfield aerodrome was closed and AFS Ysterplaat became the only Air Force Station in Cape Town.

In the same year, SAAF crash-boats stationed at Robben Island and Gordon’s Bay were due to be phased out, and a board of inquiry was launched to investigate the possible advantages of having a helicopter squadron based at AFS Ysterplaat to assume some of the responsibilities of the now obsolete crash-boats.

In early 1957, AFS Ysterplaat was equipped with 15 Ventura, 3 Harvard and one Dakota aircraft. The Dakota was used in the air bridge between Cape Town and Cairo.

The announcement that Ysterplaat was to be the home base for the newly acquired Shackleton MK III brought great excitement to everyone involved. Large crowds gathered at Ysterplaat on 18 August 1957 to await the arrival of the new aircraft from Britain.

Three iconic Ysterplaat aeroplanes: the Harvard, the Shackleton and the Dakota. I clearly remember watching all three of these aircraft taking off over Milnerton in the 1960s. 

During the early 1960s, the South African Navy became increasingly aware of the fact that effective anti-submarine warfare required dedicated anti-submarine helicopters. With only six naval helicopters to operate, 22 Flight was established at AFS Ysterplaat to fly and maintain Wasps. The first three arrived by sea in Cape Town on 2 February 1964 and were transferred to AFS Ysterplaat for reassembly. 

SE 3131 Alouette II (left), SE 316 Aloutte III (centre), and Westland Wasp HAS Mk 1 (right)

The stranding of the S.A. Seafarer on 1 July 1966 could have resulted in dreadful loss of life were it not for the handful of courageous men under the command of Commandant Tatham who flew Alouette helicopters, battling against strong winds to airlift the 12 passengers and 63 crew to safety, including a six-month-old baby. At 07h55, a Mrs Louise Waterson was the first passenger to be deposited on the lawns near the lighthouse, and at 10h15, Captain Branch was the last to be rescued. At the subsequent inquiry, he was convicted of negligence and his Master's licence was suspended.

The Maritime Operational Training Unit (MOTU) was brought to life on 1 February 1968, together with the Helicopter Conversion Unit, whikle the status of AFS Ysterplaat was officially changed from Station to Base.

During 1969, No. 7 Squadron was moved from Youngsfield to AFB Ysterplaat. The squadron, a training unit operating Harvard aircraft, would now increase air traffic at Ysterplaat. The Harvards remained at Ysterplaat until they were ordered to move to Central Flying School at Dunnottar, and on 14 February 1977, the last Harvard took off from Ysterplaat to fly into history.

With the Shackletons of 35 Squadron based at Ysterplaat since their arrival in 1957, it was a sad occasion when finally, in 1970, the Squadron was officially moved to DF Malan Airport. The move was inevitable, for the runway at Ysterplaat was constructed with aircraft the size of Venturas in mind. The Shackletons had, however, been operating from DF Malan for some time, but the servicing of the aircraft still had to be done at Ysterplaat, meaning all test flights had to be executed from Ysterplaat. With the move of the entire 35 Squadron, everything could be done at DF Malan Airport.

On 14 June 1971, AFB Ysterplaat was proud to boast a new Decca Navigation system, which was opened by the Minister of Defence, Mr PW Botha. During that year, a new control tower was constructed. However, the Air Traffic Controller was not able to see the whole airfield from behind the console and some alterations had to be made before completion.

On 1 July 1976, the construction on the “cut and cover” tunnel allowing the railway to pass under the threshold of the runway was finally started after many years of planning and negotiations. The SAR had claimed their ownership of some of the land on which the base is situated back in 1968.

As from 1980, 22 and 30 Squadron operated from AFB Ysterplaat with Wasps and Alouette III’s and, later, with Puma and Super Frelon helicopters. 35, 27 and 7 Squadrons operated from D.F. Malan Airport as squadrons from Ysterplaat, with Shackletons, Albatrosses and Impalas.  Other flying units falling under command of the Base were 109 Squadron at Mossel Bay and 110 Squadron at AFB Ysterplaat. 

Puma 189 XTP-1 (left) and Super Frelon 321L (right)

A short-term implementation plan objective dated 10 March 2001 instructed that the base scale down operations as it was intended to close the base and relocate operations to other sites. The SAAF Museum was to remain at Ysterplaat, which would no longer have Base status and would once again become known as AFS Ysterplaat. During the year, there was much adverse publicity in the media. The shortage of funds resulted in the general decline of the Base and morale suffered. The Joint Standing Committee on Defence said that the SANDF had to consider the strategic implications of closing bases like Waterkloof and Ysterplaat. At the end of the day, plans for further developments relating to civil aviation at Cape Town International Airport, the lack of sufficient power supplies to Langebaanweg for additional engineering services and the high costs involved in relocating personnel resulted in the abandonment of the plan and AFB Ysterplaat survived another attempt to close it down.

The Base was awarded the Freedom of Entry to the City of Cape Town on 16 April 2009 and the parade to officially cement the matter was held on 21 August 2010.

From 21-25 September 2010, AFB Ysterplaat hosted the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo. This event is unlikely to be held in Cape Town again, however, as it returned to the renovated AFB Waterkloof in Pretoria as from 2012.

Piaggio P-166 Albatross (left) and Atlas Impala Mk1 (1000) (right)