A SHAKY START
Upon landing at Ysterplaat, the third aircraft's braking system (1718) failed and the aircraft came to a stop against a small building at the end of the runway. Damage was not very high, but the early years saw a number of belly landings - photos exist of 1718, 1721 and even 1722. This was until 1962, but the biggest tragedy struck on 18 August 1963, when no. 1718 crashed in the mountains near Rawsonville - in the worst weather imaginable. The entire crew of thirteen lost their lives. The aircraft was on its way to Port Elizabeth as part of the annual Capex exercises.

However, in true South African style, the men and women of 35 Squadron overcame the hardships through persistence - adopting new techniques, improving certain systems, better training and hard work. The Shackletons were land based and this caused 35 Squadron to move from Congella Sea base to Cape Town. But, the existing air base at Ysterplaat was overcrowded and the runway found to be inadequate. Therefore, a special section of the D.F. Malan civil airport was set aside as a Shackleton operational base, with Ysterplaat being used as a headquarters and maintenance facility. 35 Squadron has remained at D.F. Malan (now Cape Town International) to this day.

BIRTH OF A LEGEND | NEWSMAKER