“Fortiter In Re” echoes in the air. That’s the motto of Air Force Base Ysterplaat. It means “Resolute in Action”. Today we explore its history.
Air Force Base Ysterplaat is a South African Air Force base. It is located in Cape Town. The name Ysterplaat comes from the Dutch “Ijzerplaats”. This means “Iron Place”.
Originally, this site was Maitland Aerodrome. It served as a civilian airfield. This was as early as 1929. African Air Transport opened here in 1938. They trained pilots. This was for the Union Air Training Group.
With World War II looming, Sir David Graaff donated the land. There was one condition. His estate must be consulted if it’s used for non-military purposes. African Air Transport moved. The SAAF then took over Maitland.
On October 24, 1941, Air Force Station Brooklyn opened. That was its original name. It became a SAAF unit. Air Depots 3 and 9 transferred here. They repaired and assembled aircraft. In its first year, Brooklyn assembled 790 aircraft. These included Airspeed Oxfords and Miles Masters. There were also Avro Ansons and Harvards. Fairey Battles and Martin Baltimores were also assembled here. Plus, some Bristol Beauforts and de Havilland Dominies. Later, Curtiss Kittyhawks and Hawker Hurricanes joined the ranks. By war’s end, the depots scrapped or exported aircraft.
In 1946, a Gloster Meteor III arrived. It was South Africa’s first jet aircraft. It was assembled and flown at Brooklyn. On April 1, 1949, AFS Brooklyn became AFS Ysterplaat. It now sits in the heart of Cape Town. Cape Town is South Africa’s legislative capital. More jets arrived from 1950. These were de Havilland Vampire FB Mk.5s. They became the SAAF’s first operational jet fighters. On February 1, 1968, its status upgraded. It became an Air Force Base.
Air Force Base Ysterplaat long served maritime patrol activities. This covered the Cape coast. Budget cuts threatened its status. It was to be downgraded to an Air Force Station on April 1, 2003. This never happened. The SAAF considered converting the base. It would become a civilian airport with a military presence. No decision has been made yet. Air Force Base Ysterplaat’s restricted airspace helps trainees. Flight training schools use it. These schools are at Fisantekraal or Morningstar Airfield. They hone round-trip skills. They fly en route to the Cape Peninsula. This creates strong bonds. These connect the base and the Western Cape’s diverse flying community. The Young Falcons wings ceremony occurs at Air Force Base Ysterplaat too.
Ysterplaat is also an old suburb. It has schools and a museum. Many churches and a nearby synagogue are here too. It’s close to Brooklyn and Maitland. Also nearby are Milnerton and Century City. In 1810, Willem Caesar and a widow lived here. Her name was Priem. They lived with her two children. This was at “d`Yzere Plaat”. It was a hay farm. Mr. J. P. Eksteen owned it. The tenants owned two draft oxen. Cape Town expanded. The area became Maitland Common. Sir de Villiers Graaff owned some of the property. The Cape Town City Council wanted a municipal airport. This led to Air Force Base Ysterplaat. The farm’s name translates to “Iron Plate”. Civilian pilots likely used the grass airfield from 1915. An Airport Manager’s House was built in 1917. Mr FAN Duk occupied it. He worked for Aero Services. He was a pilot and airport manager. The building now houses the Air Force Base Ysterplaat Transport Section. Next to it stood “the 1920 Hangar”. It has moved to the Airforce Museum.
The SA Air Force’s relationship goes back to 1925. The air force started the SAAF Diamond Mail Service. At the Department of Mines’ request, the SAAF began regular mail flights. These ran between Maitland and Alexander Bay. “Union Airways” was started by Major A.M. Miller. It began operating a scheduled airmail service. Brooklyn served as its Cape Town terminus from 1927. It moved to Wingfield after about two years.
Today, Air Force Base Ysterplaat continues its legacy. It stands resolute in action. It protects and serves. It is a vital part of South Africa’s air defense.