WINGED SPRINGBOK - The South African Air Force, although small by most standards, has been undergoing steady re-equipment over the past few years in order to fulfil its tasks of defending the borders from the threat of attack and providing a counter-rnsurgency force. This account describes, the current equipment and organisation.
STRIKEMASTER - A VERSATILE TUTOR - Sales of the BAC Strike-master basic trainer and light attack aircraft continue at a steady pace and now exceed 100 to eight customers. The Strikemaster is shown in detail in this account, with a new cutaway drawing, and its genealogy is traced.
"A SHEEP WITH FIVE LEGS" The Dutch description for something a little above the average or out of the ordinary can well be applied to Martinair, the subject chosen for the second in our "Airline in Outline" series. History, tone drawings and a fleet list are included.
EPITOME OF AN ERA - Our "Warbirds" feature this month is devoted to the Gloster Gladiator, the RAF's last bi-plane fighter. Despite the legends that have grown up around the name Gladiator, it was, as this account shows, largely outdated and outclassed in every theatre in which it operated.
VIEWED FROM THE COCKPIT - As a tailpiece to the account of Gladiator development and operation, H A Taylor contributes a brief recollection of flying both the Gladiator and its near relation the Gauntlet; the pleasure-giving nostalgia evoked by once again "getting with a biplane" and recording his view that "modern" aeroplanes were both easier to fly and safer.
AIRSCENE - The monthly round-up of news and background to the news presented under section headings for Military Affairs, Civil Affairs, Aircraft and Industry and new Civil and Military Aircraft Contracts.
IN PRINT - New aviation literature noted.
PLANE FACTS - Answers to readers' enquiries from the AIR enthusiast files; the Mikoyan 1-320 (R-1); Harlow PC-5A; Piaggio P.108.
FIGHTER A TO Z - Continuing the AIR enthusiast encyclopaedia of the world's fighter aircraft, from the Bell YFM Airacuda to the Bell P-63 Kingcobra.
MODEL ENTHUSIAST - Modelling comments, the latest kits reviewed and a page of colour profile drawings of the Kawasaki Ki 45 Toryu.
VETERAN AND VINTAGE - An account of the restoration to museum display standards of the Finnish Pyorremyrsky.
TALKBACK - Readers of AIR enthusiast offer comments of general interest.
AIRDATA FILE - Technical data, photographs and general arrangement drawings for the Air Metal AMC-111; Avions Robin HR-100-320; Boeing Vertol YUH-61A; McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Twin; Sikorsky YUH-60A.