SANDF gets Lynx choppers
There’s a new type of military helicopter in South Africa: two Air Force Oryxes and an Alouette escorted the first of the SA National Defence Force’s Lynx helicopters from Cape Town International to the Ysterplaat Air Force Base at the weekend.
The two Lynxes were delivered from Agusta-Westland in the UK by a gigantic Antonov cargo aircraft.
Four have been ordered, and will primarily see duty on board the SA Navy’s new frigates.
The helicopters, flying in formation, did a circuit around the City Bowl on Friday before flying up the West Coast and then landing at Ysterplaat, where the base’s staff gathered to witness the event.
For helicopter buffs it was something of a bitter-sweet day.
There was great excitement as the new Lynxes flew into view, but it was one of the last times the Alouette III will be seen flying in our skies. Ysterplaat’s 22 Squadron is the only unit still operating the Alouette III. They will be withdrawn from service on August 3.
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16 Juillet 2007 à 16:07 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
