South African Air Force
These are just a small sample of photos that I have on South African military hardware. Hopefully it would be of help to those modellers wishing to build SAAF aircraft. Since 1994 the SAAF has undergone a transformation during which most of the apartheid-era and Angolan Bush War equipment were either scrapped or sold to South American countries like Peru that bought most of the SAAF’s ageing Canberra bombers. The North American Harvard (Texan) trainers, Douglas Dakotas and Skymasters were scrapped. The Lockheed C 130 still soldiers on. The SAAF has also procured Hawks for training purposes and the SAAB Grippen as air superiority fighter. The locally produced attack helicopter the Atlas Rooivalk (Red Falcon) can compete on equal footing with the best attack helicopters today.
19 additional images. Click to enlarge.
IAN JACKSON said on January 3, 2017
Interesting article.
I recall a piece in AFM from a couple of years ago which asserted that the Grippen fleet was down to around 8 serviceable airframes and that the pool of fully qualified pilots (and QFI’s) was very shallow.
Hopefully that situation has eased some since that piece was written.
Ian.
Morne Meyer said on January 3, 2017
The SAAF has been hampered by budget cuts which had an impact for sure. However, the SA government’s commitment to peace keeping missions in Africa meant that more money was channelled to the South African Army for the procurement of equipment that makes it superior to any other African nation and the SAAF subsequently suffered.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on January 3, 2017
Robbing Peter to pay Paul, huh?
That’s an interesting selection of aircraft.
I’m someahat behind the curve, but is that the Cougar version of the Puma?
The attack heli looks familiar, Augusta?
Love that Cheetah!
Rats, no Harvards or Daks! Always like to see something older than I am.
Morne Meyer said on January 3, 2017
The Puma helicopter originally procured from the French was one of the workhorses of the Angolan Bush War for nearly two decades. Post 1994 it was upgraded and is now called the Oryx. The Cheetah is also an upgrade of the SAAF Mirage fleet to Israeli Kifr standard. The Cheetah was a stopgap aircraft pending the delivery of the much anticipated Project Carver air superiority fighter. You can Google Project Carver for more info on the Atlas Carver. A truly beautiful design that was overshadowed by political change in SA and subsequently cancelled. The Carver had a similar profile to the Dassault Rafale and Israel and France was also involved in the design and development of the Atlas Carver. The Daks and Harvards still do duty at airshows in SA and are firm favourites with the spectators.
Craig Abrahamson said on January 3, 2017
Quite the formidable array…nice photos as well. Thanks for sharing.
Morne Meyer said on January 3, 2017
Thanks Craig!!
Rob Pollock said on January 3, 2017
That Grippen is a real show-stopper.
Morne Meyer said on January 3, 2017
I fully agree with you Tom.
Christian Ristits said on January 3, 2017
Much inspiration, thanks for sharing! The Grippen does the business!
Morne Meyer said on January 3, 2017
The Grippen is a very capable aircraft and is a giant leap forward for the SAAF.
Greg Kittinger said on January 3, 2017
I always wanted to do a Cheetah, and when High Planes put their new one out this last year I snagged one! I’m hoping to get her done in 2017.
Morne Meyer said on January 3, 2017
I will post some more photos of the Cheetah so that you have an authentic looking replica. There are some nice commemorative colour schemes for the Cheetah like the Cheetah C nicknamed Spotty.
Robert Royes said on January 3, 2017
Nice photos, thanks for the look see.
Morne Meyer said on January 3, 2017
Thanks Robert. Hope it inspires modelers to build some SAAF aircraft.
Allan J Withers said on January 3, 2017
Great pics Morne, the Herc’ is interesting with the contrails showing how the props bite ! I have a couple of SAAF subjects to model.
Morne Meyer said on January 3, 2017
Thanks Allen. The Herc is undoubtedly one of those aircraft that will one day, like the B 52, P 51 and the Dakota, go down in Aviation history as one of the greatest American aircraft.
Bernd Müller said on January 4, 2017
Great collection, Morne. Guess very helpfull for modelling or just enjoying aviation photos.
The Harvard for example would be a real eye catcher.
Morne Meyer said on January 4, 2017
The Kittyhawk Harvard kit looks awesome in the SAAF dayglo scheme.
DE4EVER said on January 5, 2017
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
Nice pictures Morne . I am with Rob, that Grippen is a show stopper, thanks for sharing these images.
Morne Meyer said on January 5, 2017
I have to say I wasn’t a fan of the Grippen but having seen it perform at an airshow I was motivated to change my opinion.