History
An air component of the BDF was born on March 19, 1981 with the purchase of an Alouette III.
In 1982, the unit became known as Bophutatswana Air Wing with the arrival of a 2nd Alouette III and 2 Helio H-295s. In 1983, 2 Partenavia P.68s and an AS-355 Écureuil were purchased - the latter was assigned to VIP transports. In November 1989, it was replaced by an SA-365N1 Dauphin.
In 1985, a CASA 212-200 Aviocar was purchased to transport paratroopers, a CASA 212-300 was received in 1987. The 2 Helios were withdrawn from service and replaced by 2 MBB/Kawasaki BK-117s.
With the arrival of so many new aircraft, the Bophuthatswana Air Wing took the name Bophuthatswana Air Force in late 1987.
Read more about this topic: Bophuthatswana Air Force
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