Facta Nostra Vivent: Memories From The South African Air Force Central Flying School (1922 - 1995)

FACTA NOSTRA VIVENT ‘Our Deeds will Live’ This is a story about the South African Air Force Central Flying School in all its guises from its early days up to the end of the Harvard era in 1995. It covers a brief history of the school, the training methods and the aircraft. It looks at the first steps in a military aviation career, the “ab initio” period of selection and basic training. It does not cover the later advanced phases which are a vast field in their own right. It is about “pupes” and their instructors and is told by themselves in their own words. Commanding Officers have also added their memories. Finally, the author seeks, with the help of the SAAF Museum and Harvard Club, to trace the fate of the Harvard in retirement. The book contains over 300 photographs many of which are in glorious full colour. “Here are precious memories, proud moments and hilarious histories. They are recalled mainly by some of South Africa’s magnificent men in their flying machines. All these, plus valuable illustrations, have been collected by writer-painter Andrew Embleton from graduates of SA’s famous air force flying school. His resulting portrait of that unique, internationally famous institution is a memorable and fitting one. More than that, his collage of real, soaring experiences should also lift the hearts of even the most pedestrian of general readers.” Harvey Tyson (author, columnist, former editor of The Star)