title: 35 Squadron SAAF
text: # 35 Squadron SAAF
  
  35 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is a maritime patrol and transport squadron.
  
  ## History
  
  The squadron was formed on 15 February 1945 when 262 Squadron Royal Air Force, an anti-submarine squadron, operating the Consolidated Catalina, was transferred to the South African Air Force.
  
  ## Awards
  
  * Award for Best Permanent Flying Unit in the SAAF for both 2004 and 2005
  * Sword of Peace in 2013
  
  ## Aircraft operated
  
  | From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Feb 1945 | Jan 1957 | Consolidated Catalina | Mk.IVb |
  | Apr 1945 | Oct 1956 | Short Sunderland | GR.5 |
  | late 1940s | 1952 | North American Harvard | |
  | late 1940s | | Supermarine Spitfire | |
  | late 1940s | | Airspeed Oxford | |
  | late 1940s | 1960 | Lockheed Ventura | |
  | Jan 1957 | Nov 1984 | Avro Shackleton | MR.3 |
  | Nov 1984 | 1994 | Douglas Dakota | C-47 "Dackleton" |
  | Dec 1990 | Present | Douglas Dakota | C-47TP "Turbo Dakota" |
  
  ## Officer Commanding
  
  | From | To | Rank | Name & Surname |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | ?? | 2017 | Lt. Col | Donovan Chetty |
  | 2018 | Present | Col | van de Horst |
  