The Lockheed Lodestars were ordered by SAA just prior to World War II and once hostilities began they were impressed into the SAAF with No 5 Wing at AFS Germiston. The aircraft were used on the South Africa-Egypt “shuttle” from 8 July 1941, most of them operating in a camouflage paint scheme. They also operated on internal routes. Some remained in civil markings for operations to the Belgian Congo and to Portuguese East Africa.
Dakotas replaced the Lodestars from 1943 and by the following year it was decided to release ten of the Lodestars back to SAA to start commercial services.
By the end of WWII seven had been written off in accidents and three passed on to the RAF. The survivors continued in service with SAA, augmented by two additional 18-07 models built with P&W Hornet motors and supplied to the SAAF as ambulances. In SAA service, they too were modified to 18-08 standard.
Dakotas replaced the Lodestars from 1943 and by the following year it was decided to release ten of the Lodestars back to SAA to start commercial services.
By the end of WWII seven had been written off in accidents and three passed on to the RAF. The survivors continued in service with SAA, augmented by two additional 18-07 models built with P&W Hornet motors and supplied to the SAAF as ambulances. In SAA service, they too were modified to 18-08 standard.
