09/03/2026
There are photographs…and then there are moments in aviation history captured in a single frame.
This image means a great deal to me.
It was taken during a formation flight with 4 Squadron of the South African Air Force, flying the Macchi Impala. The photograph was taken circa 1984, by one of our combat pilots and a remarkable aviator, Mac McLeod.
What makes the shot even more special is the timing. At the exact moment Mac pressed the shutter, the strobe light flashed on the fin of the centre Impala, creating the striking highlight you see in the image. Those who have flown formation know just how rare it is for everything to align perfectly like that.
But for me, the photograph represents far more than good timing.
It carries layers of memory and history:
~ Flying with an exceptional group of pilots during a defining period of our operational lives
~ The experiences surrounding the Angolan conflict
~ My friendship and respect for Mac, one of the finest pilots and aerobatic flyers the SAAF produced
~ Arranging a memorable low-level sortie for aviation colleague Don Rothero in a two-seat Impala years later
Mac later became a well-known and highly respected aerobatic pilot within the airshow community. Tragically, he was killed in 2002 while practising for an airshow near Lanseria Airport. His passing was deeply felt across both military and civilian aviation circles.
He is still remembered today as:
~ An elite fighter pilot
~ A gifted aerobatic aviator
~ A mentor to younger pilots
~ A true professional who embodied the spirit of aviation
Looking at this photograph today, I realise it represents something profound.
These are not just aircraft in formation. They are memories of people, friendships, and moments in time that shaped our lives as aviators.
They are a reminder that aviation is not just about machines or missions.
It is about the people who fly, the risks they accept, and the legacy they leave behind.
Mac, you are still remembered with great respect.
