Suid Afrikaanse Springbok op koms (on final.....Kestrel style!!)

[hae5904]

Suid Afrikaanse Springbok op koms.
(South African "Springbok" on final).

99.9% completed......:icon_lol:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/Hank41/SANFAA1.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/Hank41/SANFAA2.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/Hank41/SANFAA3.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/Hank41/SANFAA4.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/Hank41/SANFAA5.jpg


Cheers,
Hank

[SADT]

Hi All, just to re-iterate the history:

In early 1975, the South African Government placed an order with Convair for 155 F/A-201Z naval fighters, for use with the SANFAA (South African Navy Fleet Air Arm). Because South Africa was then under an Apartheid induced US weapons embargo, the aircraft were ordered via Israel, dis-assembled there, shipped to South Africa, and then re-assembled by Atlas Aviation. The aircraft was given the name Convair-Atlas F/A-201Z Springbok, and was to be used on the South African carrier SAS (South African Ship) Capetown. (The SAS Capetown was formerly the Colossus Class carrier HMS Glory, and was purchased by South Africa in 1962. She was given an angled deck, and was completely re-fitted for South African use during the period 1963-1965.) Before operating the Springbok, the standard South African fleet defense fighter was the Dassault IVZ Comorant (Etendard IVM with mods.) and the main tactical response aircraft was the Blackburn Buccaneer S.50Z (An improved S.50, fit for carrier use). Modifications to the standard F/A-201 Kestrel included avionics similar to the South African Dassault Mirage series, and high grade dust filters, for use in case the Springbok ever had to operate from 3rd class South African airfields. The first Springbokke (Plural of Springbok) rolled off the Atlas production line in late 1976, and were immediately shoved into the thick of the Border War conflict, in South-West Africa, and Angola. The Springbokke served well during the Border War conflict, having a very high successful sortie rate. The SANFAA also found that having a lightweight attack fighter, that could be based at sea, close to targets, but away from guerillas (Whom could destroy or sabotage aircraft) was a major asset over the land-based Mirage's. So impressed was the South African Government, that they ordered another 161 to expand the fleet in late 1977, and replace losses. In the entire Border War conflict, only 5 Springbokke were lost to ground (Anti-Aircraft) fire, all in exceptional circumstances, and one to pilot error (A gear UP landing!). All pilots survived, at testament to the strength of the aircraft. When not at sea, the Springbokke were based at SANAS (South African Naval Air Station) Capetown, SANAS Stellenbosch, SANAS Port Elizabeth, and SANAS Durban. In 1995, as part of the Post-Apartheid defense cuts, the SAS Capetown was scrapped. From then on, the Springbokke operated from the various SANAS's until the 14th of June 2002, when the Convair-Atlas F/A-201Z Springbok Nr. 202 (Nr. 201, the first to roll off the production lines, which flew on the 14th of June 1976 is with Denel Aviation, in the Atlas Aviation Museum), flew the last Springbok sortie, over Table Mountain, Capetown, for a commemorative last flight, to honor the history of the Springbok, and the SANFAA, which there-after ceased to exist.

Cheers,
Craig :-)

BTw, Cheers to Hank for making this repaint!! :-) :salute:

[CG_1976]

Like the look on this one. Will download it when available:salute: Hank sent ya a pm and thank you.

[jankees]

wow, nice paint!

[hae5904]

To inform you all, the Atlas (Convair) F/A-201Z Springbok has been uploaded......:salute:
Enjoy!

Cheers,
Hank

[N2056]

Hi All, just to re-iterate the history:

In early 1975, the South African Government placed an order with Convair for 155 F/A-201Z naval fighters, for use with the SANFAA (South African Navy Fleet Air Arm). Because South Africa was then under an Apartheid induced US weapons embargo, the aircraft were ordered via Israel, dis-assembled there, shipped to South Africa, and then re-assembled by Atlas Aviation. The aircraft was given the name Convair-Atlas F/A-201Z Springbok, and was to be used on the South African carrier SAS (South African Ship) Capetown. (The SAS Capetown was formerly the Colossus Class carrier HMS Glory, and was purchased by South Africa in 1962. She was given an angled deck, and was completely re-fitted for South African use during the period 1963-1965.) Before operating the Springbok, the standard South African fleet defense fighter was the Dassault IVZ Comorant (Etendard IVM with mods.) and the main tactical response aircraft was the Blackburn Buccaneer S.50Z (An improved S.50, fit for carrier use). Modifications to the standard F/A-201 Kestrel included avionics similar to the South African Dassault Mirage series, and high grade dust filters, for use in case the Springbok ever had to operate from 3rd class South African airfields. The first Springbokke (Plural of Springbok) rolled off the Atlas production line in late 1976, and were immediately shoved into the thick of the Border War conflict, in South-West Africa, and Angola. The Springbokke served well during the Border War conflict, having a very high successful sortie rate. The SANFAA also found that having a lightweight attack fighter, that could be based at sea, close to targets, but away from guerillas (Whom could destroy or sabotage aircraft) was a major asset over the land-based Mirage's. So impressed was the South African Government, that they ordered another 161 to expand the fleet in late 1977, and replace losses. In the entire Border War conflict, only 5 Springbokke were lost to ground (Anti-Aircraft) fire, all in exceptional circumstances, and one to pilot error (A gear UP landing!). All pilots survived, at testament to the strength of the aircraft. When not at sea, the Springbokke were based at SANAS (South African Naval Air Station) Capetown, SANAS Stellenbosch, SANAS Port Elizabeth, and SANAS Durban. In 1995, as part of the Post-Apartheid defense cuts, the SAS Capetown was scrapped. From then on, the Springbokke operated from the various SANAS's until the 14th of June 2002, when the Convair-Atlas F/A-201Z Springbok Nr. 202 (Nr. 201, the first to roll off the production lines, which flew on the 14th of June 1976 is with Denel Aviation, in the Atlas Aviation Museum), flew the last Springbok sortie, over Table Mountain, Capetown, for a commemorative last flight, to honor the history of the Springbok, and the SANFAA, which there-after ceased to exist.

That's a great bit of "History" to go with the whole "what if" idea behind the plane! :applause: