Detailed history and photos of helicopter Westland Wasp Serial f.9555 Register 86 used by Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag SAAF (South African Air Force) Track service timeline and current status.
My father a Flight Sargent at the time was the Flight Engineer onboard this aircraft, when it fell into the Sea off the South African west Coast. The pilot was Andy Kapp, he retired as a Brigadier General. A photographer Kriel, did not survive the crash
1964-09-64
Off the SA south-west coast
Lt. Andy Kapp and I were the 2 SAAF pilots aboard the naval destroyer 'Simon vd Stel'. On the day before the accident, we had been doing 'Vectac' operations with the ship near Cape Columbine, when Andy's Wasp broke an oil cooler shaft. Andy volunteered to take 'my' Wasp 86 to Ysterplaat at 6 a.m. the next morning to get a replacement. Kees van Wolbeek was the photographer who took a lift the back of the Wasp, also to fetch some part. When the Wasp ditched, I don't think Kees wore a 'May West' or any flotation gear and he must have drowned, as the Wasp would have turned upside down upon hitting the water. We flew 'front doors' off, for the pilot and flight engineer's safety. Ysterplaat found and picked up the 2 crew members in their dinghy at around 10 a.m. Lt. Robert Schimmel (Bob)
