
Copper Wings
British South Africa Police Reserve Air Wing Volume 2
Guy Ellis(Author)
Helion & Company (Publisher)
Published on 22. August 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
80 pages
978-1-80451-362-0 (ISBN)
Description
"... well-written and every bit the quality expected of a Helion publication. For those interested in one part of the very complex story of Africa's transition from colonial holdings to independent countries and the role of a really unique form of airpower, these two volumes are well worth reading." - The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation
Lacking funding to purchase and operate own aircraft, the Rhodesian police established the British South Africa Police Reserve Air Wing (PRAW). Equipped with private aircraft, mostly flown by owner pilots, this extended policing across a country that had few roads, reaching remote villages and farms, separated by long distances. Established in 1967, the PRAW assisted in the capture of criminals, transported police officers, and flew in support of police operations. During the 1960s, it was expanded into three flights with more than 20 aircraft.
By 1974, the PRAW included five flights, by 1979, nine, with two of its pilots being awarded the M.B.E. for outstanding services. As the conflict in Rhodesia escalated, it began actively cooperating with the Rhodesian armed forces: its miscellany of Beechs, Cessnas, Pipers, and Taylorcraft - all apparently 'sports and utility' aircraft - were armed: sometimes with light machine guns installed in underwing pods, but often with heavy machine guns that fired through the side doors, de-facto converting them into mini-gunships.
Based on extensive use of official documentation, participant recollections, and richly illustrated, the British South Africa Police Reserve Force Air Wing Volume 2 continues an account of this service.
Lacking funding to purchase and operate own aircraft, the Rhodesian police established the British South Africa Police Reserve Air Wing (PRAW). Equipped with private aircraft, mostly flown by owner pilots, this extended policing across a country that had few roads, reaching remote villages and farms, separated by long distances. Established in 1967, the PRAW assisted in the capture of criminals, transported police officers, and flew in support of police operations. During the 1960s, it was expanded into three flights with more than 20 aircraft.
By 1974, the PRAW included five flights, by 1979, nine, with two of its pilots being awarded the M.B.E. for outstanding services. As the conflict in Rhodesia escalated, it began actively cooperating with the Rhodesian armed forces: its miscellany of Beechs, Cessnas, Pipers, and Taylorcraft - all apparently 'sports and utility' aircraft - were armed: sometimes with light machine guns installed in underwing pods, but often with heavy machine guns that fired through the side doors, de-facto converting them into mini-gunships.
Based on extensive use of official documentation, participant recollections, and richly illustrated, the British South Africa Police Reserve Force Air Wing Volume 2 continues an account of this service.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Solihull
United Kingdom
Illustrations
64 b/w photos, 1 color & 1 b/w map, numerous tables
Dimensions
Height: 297 mm
Width: 210 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight
314 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80451-362-0 (9781804513620)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2023
Helion & Company
€14.49
Available for download
Person
Guy Ellis is an aviation historian who has written many articles and is the author of, amongst others, Serve to Save - The South African Air Force at Sea and Britain's Jet Age Volumes 1 and 2.