South African Airmails, by N Arrow.

Published by the author, 2010.  Sp/B, 248pp.

A history of the airmail service in South Africa up to 7^th February 1994, when the 60^th anniversary of South African Airways was celebrated.  Items flown to, from or through South Africa are categorised by era: the Pioneer period, internal flights to 1939, external flights to 1939, the War Years, and airmails from 1945-1961, 1961-1974, 1975-1981, and 1982-1994.  Flight listings accompany each chapter, detailing the date and description of flights, and a rarity guide is included for material sent before the end of the Union period.  Illustrated in colour.

Philatelic Exporter review, courtesy of David Rennie (September 2008):

This is a good example of modern desktop publishing, with 211pp, wire-bound, limp cover in A4 format, with many colour illustrations.

The long sub-title summary "An outline of the Airmail Service affecting South Africa, with a listing of aero-philatelic material flown to, from, or through South Africa, for the period up to 7^th February 1994" really says it all.  There is a good introduction, which sets the scene as well as detailing the scope and format of the book and its various sections and tables.

Up to 1939 the author has opted to divide his listing into three sections: - Pioneer, Internal and External flights.  The War Years form a separate chapter.  The Post-war Years have been split into four chapters ending with the 60^th Anniversary of South African Airways flights.

Each chapter starts with an overview of the period, quite extensive for the earlier period, less so for the modern era; followed by a listing of the mail/flights referred to. In places rarity factors have been given, mainly for pre-war items. In the post war years the narrative section is divided into the airlines, but the lists are comprehensive in chronological order, and follow the author's numbering system, which has been devised to permit new additions with the minimum of re-numbering changes.

There are five appendices including the Government Experimental Service, Balloon and Helicopter Flights, Antarctic Helicopter Flights, some notes regarding "Rand Airport," and a listing of regular addressees found on air/flight covers.