Ageing jets on show
2003-09-10 18:11
Roodewal, Limpopo - The SA Air Force sported its ageing arsenal at an air power display in Limpopo on Tuesday, and showed that old equipment could be transformed by the skill of the men behind the controls.
Most of the aircraft which took part in the demonstration were nearing the end of their careers, but many a youthful fling was extracted from them.
With the cream of SAAF pilots in the cockpits, sprightly performances by the aircraft enthralled spectators at the show at the Roodewal bomb range near Makhado.
Among these was the Cheetah C fighter jet, built on the frame of the Mirage III South Africa bought from France in the 1960s. An arms embargo against the apartheid regime from 1977 to 1994 meant the French fighter could not be replaced.
As an alternative, local experts started upgrading the Mirage's weapon systems and avionics by the mid-1980s, and the Cheetah was born.
It is to be replaced in about five years by the multi-role Gripen fighter aircraft, purchased under South Africa's multi-billion rand arms deal.
The new jet is produced under a joint venture by Saab of Sweden and the British manufacturer BAE Systems.
At Tuesday's demonstration, the Cheetah showed in a air combat exercise how nimble it could still be.
Later the earth literally shook as the aircraft showed its prowess in a series of dive bombing demonstrations.
Cheetah pilot Lance Wellington underscored the continued potency of the old fighter jet. "We found we were could hold our own in a joint exercise with air force units from the United States last year. I think they were quite surprised at our capabality."
Wellington is based at Air Force Base Louis Trichardt, home of 2 "Cheetah" Squadron.
Another stalwart showing its paces on Tuesday was the Impala fighter trainer, once again highlighting its suitability for aerobatic displays.
Acquired from Italy in the late 1960s, the Impala is to be replaced in 2005 by the Hawk from BAE Systems.
Then there was the Alouette III helicopter, which demonstrated its agility in a simulated attack with a 20mm cannon. The accuracy of the shooting at a ground-target the size of a conventional oil drum evoked wide applause.
These aircraft are to be phased out with the commissioning of the new Agusta 109 light utility helicopters.
The most modern aircraft performing at the show was the Rooivalk combat helicopter, which displayed again its reliability in tight spots.
SAAF pilots, while remaining dedicated to their current equipment, clearly cannot wait for their new state-of-the-art aircraft to arrive.
"The Gripen is a great system to work with. The performance is good, and it's very easy to fly," said Major Musa Mbhokota, SAAF's most senior fully qualified black fighter pilot.
"Instead of flying the aeroplane, you can concentrate on primarily managing your weapons and having a better situation of awareness."
Mbhokota is currently based at Saab Aerospace in Linkoping, Sweden as part of the SAAF's Gripen project team overseeing production and preparing to take the aircraft into service.
Tuesday's display was open to the public, and drew a sizeable number of locals. Beer, braaivleis and lively music cheered up proceedings that continued until after dark.
The event served as a rehearsal for a similar display on Wednesday for Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota and members of parliament's defence portfolio committee.
- SAPA