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Why is there small sponsons , looks like Puma sponsons on the aircraft ?


On other slides it looks back to the normal size.

Early block Oryx.

The big sponsons were a later modification.

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It looks like a very early picture - look at car in the foreground. I would guess mid 90's. The larger sponsons weren't fitted till late 90's ('97, '98 somewhere?) if I'm not mistaken.

Confirmation from someone with more knowledge is encouraged!

MAMBA

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MAMBA

Keep your feet on the ground, and reach for the skies!

The camouflage pattern also gives it away as an early Oryx with small sponson's.

They all looked like this at first until the larger sponson was fitted and then the later camo scheme (not the present camo scheme).

The puma models L/H had the smaller square sponsons already before the Oryx,and also identified by the Pitot tubes preposition on nose.A good example is the current Saaf Museum puma 175 seen below,yes the earlier model Oryx's did have the smaller square sponsons but not used as extra fuel tanks and for integration of flotation gear into the sponsons..but earlier model L the flotation gear was fitted on the outside of sponsons,with a support brace on fuselage,the bigger sponsons mod was only done in early 90's, Most of the Oryx's where converted from the H/L models what I know,The C models had the rounded sponsons.

As Dean mentions here the types and serials.

The serial numbers of SAAF SA330C models were 121-140 except for 139 which was a SA330L.

SAAF 330H models were 141-160 and 184-188.

SA330L Pumas in SAAF were 161-165, 167,168,170,174,175,178-181 and 183.

The two civilian J certified for all weather conditions as factory standard,models obtained for the Agulhas were, J's they had heated rotor head,radar,and anti icing systems,and the bigger sponsons for the emergency flotation gear.The where both sold to Starlight aviation.
ZS-HIZ
ZS-HJA

Two civilian J models obtained for the XTP program were they where 189 and 190 later
ZS-HNK
ZS-HNJ

Puma 177 became the very first Oryx.

The first Puma was 121 Ex F-WMHK in 1969 arrived at Ysterplaat for assembly.a C model,Seen here


Saaf Museums 330L Model with the square sponsons and pitot's on nose.
https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo ... -330-puma/

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Dont forget serial number 150 which was the SAAF's VIP Viscount!

Also Puma 139 was always a C model, Puma 135 was converted after a crash from a C to an L model.

Only Puma 177 was converted to an Oryx, becoming the prototype and eventually being given the final tail number 1250. All production Oryxes were built using brand new fuselages.

From Romania of all places

Ahh the old Audi 400/500 series.

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And powertrains from Portugal

Two Oryx were upgraded for Antarctic service with extra cabin heating, rotor deicing, a third windscreen wiper and more powerful alternators. Then they were painted in a red and white "coast guard" scheme and designated Mark 2. One was later written off and the other had it's upgrades removed and put back in camo overalls.

Regarding the two Mk II Oryx units.

1238 is still in service.

1249 w/o on 1 July 2004.

Found this list online for all Oryx serial numbers: http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/677/

And the following for the various Puma models: http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/679/

Regarding 1208 - seems like it has had a very interesting service life...

Attached a picture from 2012: http://www.airliners.net/photo/South-Af ... /2806701/L - note the sponson

And one in its EW kit: http://skycam-aviation-photography.blog ... -cape.html

Great research Draadkar
Do you also have a trommel of treasures?

Hey Guys,

From what I can tell there are two versions or variants of the large sponson in service:

1.) Normal large sponson (As seen in the Airliners link posted by Draadkar).
2.) Normal large sponson but with the addition of a cut out/ recessed area for the attachment of floatation gear.

Are these the same sponson but with a plate attached over the floatation gear attachment area or are they two seperate designs? It's also interesting to note that the vertical bracing strut is only seen on Oryx with the floatation gear sponsons although all Oryx appear to have an attachment point on the fuselage to accommodate the strut.

There is a close up photograph of the sponson with floatation gear and strut in Dean's thread on 22 Sqn/ NSRI.

Regards,
Stratobat

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I found the following pictures to try and backtrack on the date when the sponsons was enlarged.

Oryx 1230 - Taken from the book "More than Game" (by Herman Potgieter). The book was published in 1995. Note the smaller sponson with floatation gear.



Oryx 1207 - Taken from the book "Squadrons of the SAAF and their aircraft 1920-2005" (by Steven McLean). The picture was taken on 4 September 1993. Note the enlarged sponson.



Background to the Oryx series - Taken from "85 Years of SAAF" (By Winston Brent). Of note is the first set of serial & c/n's.



That brings me to my last picture. Taken from the book "Squadrons of the SAAF and their aircraft 1920-2005" (by Steven McLean) - The question here is: The picture reference "Oryx 1201" as the converted Puma 177 with serial 1250 - so what is it? 1201 or 1250? (Notice the enlarged sponsons. Taken in 1991?)



The previous picture , "85 Years of SAAF", indicates that "Oryx 1250" (Puma c/n 1479) and "Oryx 1201" as "Oryx c/n 002"??

So what is it?

PS: 1208 detail also in above-mentioned picture.