The SAAF Forum

Hi guys,

I want to dedicate this thread to discussing all the aircraft the SAAF considered to acquire and evaluated, but was not selected. I'm not talking unrealistic imagination, that's what the http://www.whatifmodelers.com forum is for. This is a die-hard SAAF forum and I dont want to be barking up the wrong tree. Aircraft like the HP Victor, Nimrod, Jet Provost, MB-339, Yak-130D, F-16, Mig-29, Su-27, Project Carver, etc. They were all up for a possible acquirement. I cannot help but wonder what they could have looked like in SAAF service. So, I usually draw up some artwork to help me with the paintscheme of the winning contender and apply that on the losing contender. The first ones I'm posting is about the Pilatus PC-7mk.2 and its losing contenders, namely the Orlik, Super Tucano and the ACE. Here they are in the PC-7mk.2 scheme.

I personally liked the ace,I knew guys at csir that did the comosite parts of that aircraft,the molds still somewhere..pity..would have loved it to go into production,just was born the wrong time I guess..the tucano also very nice..thanks nice drawings..would like to see some choppers we would of had..like the Bell 427..EC135 Military version..maybe a Dauphin also

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Lt Col at Virtual SAAF
http://www.uvsaaf.fsworld.co.za/index.php/Frontpage

Airplane-pictures.net member my profile

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/member ... php?p=2930

Thanks Airfire,

were the Bell 427, EC135 Military considered for the SAAF? I know the SAAF had Dauphin II's for a short while.

Cheers

Yes, both were contenders for the SAAF LUH program, won by the A109. The EC635, the military version of the EC135, was the actual version. The 427 gave a very impressive display at AAD in 1998.

WOW!, thanks Dean. Didnt know that. Now I'll have to draw and build them. Sadly I was working nightshift in Capetown that time. Did you make the trip up there with Alic, Brian, etc? I just realized that I've known you for about 20 years!!!

One of the aircraft that must be the most dissapointing not making it into SAAF service, was Project Carver. Here I have the three configurations that were considered.





If only...

Yeah, now you're making me feel really old!

IIRC, I flew up to Waterkloof in a C-130 on the Friday, coming back on the Monday. I missed most of the trade days and scurried about the various vendors on Friday afternoon. The French wouldn't even great me as they had just heard that they lost out to the Gripen, A109, etc.

I'll see if I can find and scan a photo of the 427.

oooh, it's like I've died & gone to profiler heaven .... SAAF profiles everywhere

Great stuff bladerunner definitively not a subject that one sees profiled much.

Cheers

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Brent Best

Glad you enjoyed them. The IAI Lavi is another one that got away.


And there is the F-16. Just look at it in old republic colours!

Magic stuff , IMHO the F16's in that display scheme would have been awesome, .. but I've always had a soft spot for the French birds ... have you done the Mirage 2000 ?

Cheers

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Brent Best

Thanks. I have a half complete Mirage 2000. I'll finish it soon. French aircraft do have elegant lines. In the meantime, the jet trainers that lost against the Hawk. The L-39 Albatross, MB-339(which I couldnt resist in republic colours) and the Yak-130D.

Eager to see the Mirage 2000 ... I've been threatening to profile one for ages ..

That republic sheme certainly does do it nicely, I doubt there is any aircraft that will not look good in it ..

Cheers

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Brent Best

Hi Kremlin, here is the Mirage 2000. I still feel it would have been a better suited aircraft for the SAAF than the Gripen.

Mirage IIICZ contenders.

Hello Bladerunner,
Artwork is great - especially Turbo Orlik, I did not even know that it was considered as possible trainer for SAAF.
Regards