Dear Bebe
I am very interested in the book you are doing on the Alo III especially since you also include foreign user of the type as well. There are lots of military books and publications that totally ignore the Rhaf and the SAAF and the tactics used during the bush war years. I have 2 publications 1) Chopper pilot - the adventures and experiences of Monster Wilkens who was one of the most experienced Alo III pilots in the SAAF. The book contains lots of Alo III photographs configured as gunships, troopers, etc. He served with the SA police and SAAF in Rhodesia, with the Portugese in Angola. It contains a outlay sketch of the Rhodesian G-Car as well as the K-Car and a list of each Alo III per serial number that served in the SAAF as well as a crash log per serial number. I do not know if the book is still available, maybe Dean can assist or help you to contact either Monster Wilkens himself or Winston Brent who was involved in the publication of this great book. The book was part of the African aviation series - No.6. I do not think that I am allowed to copy and publish any of the content of this book on the forum.
2) Winds of Destruction - The autobiography of a Rhodesian combat pilot - P.J.H. Petter-Bowyer (PB). he was very much involved in Chopper (Alo III) operations in the Rhaf as a pilot and master tactician. This book is still available through 30 Degrees South Publishers - Chris Cocks. They do have a website as well. MR. Petter-Bowyer (PB) live in England, so if you are able to contact him you might pop over for a visit and interview to help your book.
The Alo III was a great chopper and I do not think that it was used more extensively by any operator than the SAAF and the Rhaf. I will never forget the smell of kerosene, the sound of and Alo III at work and the sound of that 20mm gun firing.
Let us salute a great Chopper - long live the AloIII