First Two SAAF Lynx Arrive in South Africa

admin — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:29:00 +0000

It was a significant Friday the 13th July 2007 for 22 Squadron. On this day the squadron took delivery of its first two new Agusta-Westland Super Lynx Mk 64 naval helicopters.

Once operatoinal they will be deployed on the South African Navy's Valour- class frigates, although for practical reasons operated by the South African Air Force.

Both arrived at Cape Town International Airport aboard an Antonov AN 124 (RA-82043) the day before without any fanfare and were assembled there before being flown to their new base at Ysterplaat.

Lynx together with Oryx - Image: Louis Vosloo

Lynx 193 was first to depart and arrived at Ysterplaat at around 13h45 after an air-to-air photo sortie accompanied by two Oryxes and a single Allouette III, followed by 194 at around 17h00. Both were devoid of any of the visible sensors on the nose, so prominently evident on the SAAF examples displayed at International air shows recently.

Lynx - Image: Louis Vosloo

Both arrived at Yeovil in the UK prior to being loaded on to the Antonov 124, still wearing dual SAAF/RAF markings, the latter being ZK117 (193) and ZK 118 (194)

A further two (191 and 192, ex ZK115 and ZK116 respectively) are still to come. Tail number 192 was recently displayed at the Paris Air show, whilst the first example, 191, was extensively shown and flown at the Farnborough Air show last year.

Lynx - Image: Louis Vosloo

The 22 Squadron Alouette IIIs will be officially withdrawn from service at Ysterplaat Air Force Base on August 3, 2007. This will mark the end of the SAAF service for the Alouette III which served the SAAF since the early 1960s and is the last SAAF helicopter in service which saw action during the war in the Namibian and Angolan 'operational' area. After withrawal of the Alouette III, the Cessna 185 will be the last SAAF aircraft type left in service which saw service in this conflict.....the last SAAF warbird in service!

Source: airpic.co.za

The South African Navy & Marine and Coastal Management: First Two SAAF Lynx Arrive in South Africa

First Two SAAF Lynx Arrive in South Africa