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Alex Crawford
20th Apr 2013, 23:23
Hi,

I'm trying to find some details of 2 Strikemaster crashes;

In 1975 a Kenyan Mk87 Strikemaster crashed during a National Day fly past. The aircraft was either 603 of 606 and came from Nanyuki Air Base. Both pilots were killed in the crash.

On 29th April 1985 a Mk83 Strikemaster, serial OJ5, from the Botswana Defence Force crashed during an air display. It is believed that there was one fatality.

Any help would be appreciated.

Alex

Geezers of Nazareth
24th Apr 2013, 18:55
Alex,

re: the Kenyan AF crash ... if the 'National Day' was 22nd July '74 then it was probably '603' as '605' eventually went to Botswana as OJ10.

re: the Botswana crash ... wasn't the date 29th April 1989? It was probably one of OJ4, OJ5 or OJ9 as these are all listed as being written-off.
The Botswana DF seemed to spend some time re-numbering everything, presumably trying to hide aircraft losses (?), so after OJ4 (the original one) was lost, there was another one which became OJ4; the same happened to OJ5 and OJ9.

Alex Crawford
24th Apr 2013, 22:00
Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

I have the details of the four Kenyan aircraft that went to Botswana. Didn't have any fates for 603 and 606. Until yesterday when received info stating it was 603 that crashed. Don't have any pilot details yet. Still looking for fate of 606.

Typo on my part re the Botswana crash. It was 1989. OJ4 and OJ9 apparently collided on 12/12/89, leaving OJ5 as the contender.

The four ex Kenyan aircraft, sold to Botswana in 1994, became OJ4(2), OJ5(2), OJ9(2) and OJ10. Apparently these were in a very poor condition and two needed complete engine overhauls.

Regards,

Alex

finncapt
26th Apr 2013, 07:21
I remember the Botswana crash as I was in Gaberone on that day.

On the BA DC10 we used to shuttle from Lusaka, stay in a hotel in the city for a few hours, before flying back to Lusaka in the evening.

The aircraft made several passes over the city, there was a crash and black smoke rising from the direction of the airfield.

At the airfield later we were told what had happened.

Alex Crawford
26th Apr 2013, 18:36
Hi finncapt,

Do you recall if it was two aircraft that crashed/collided or just the one?

Alex

finncapt
26th Apr 2013, 18:56
I think it was one but may well be wrong.

The date was 29 April 1989 - I checked my logbook.

Geezers of Nazareth
26th Apr 2013, 20:15
According to Winston Brent's "African Air Forces" book Kenyan AF Strikemaster Mk87 '606' was preserved somewhere in 1993. Another more recent source does not list any S-Ms preserved anywhere in Kenya, but maybe that's because nobody has noticed it!

In Botswana there is reported to be an S-M preserved at an air-base to the northwest of Molepolole; it is visible on Google Earth and Flash Earth, and it is possible to make-out wing tip-tanks in the shadow on the ground underneath it. It is listed as being OJ3.

Alex Crawford
26th Apr 2013, 20:49
finncapt,

Thanks for checking, much appreciated.

Geezer,

Thanks for the info re-Kenyan 606. I have Botswana OJ3 as being a gate guard at Base Thebe, Phatshawa.
Botswana BAC Strikemaster 83/87 - Botswana Defence Force Air Wing (BDAF) - Gallery / XAIRFORCES (http://www.xairforces.net/gallery2d.asp?id=5&galleryid=355&gallery2id=1286&shf=1#.UXroMLWTiSo)

Alex