Specifications for the Saab JAS 39A Gripen (Griffin)

The Silver Falcons is the aerobatic display team of the South African Air Force. Based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg near Cape Town, the Silver Falcons fly the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Astra, the ab initio trainer of the SA Air Force in a 5-ship routine. The main purpose of the Silver Falcons is to enhance the image of the South African Air Force, encourage recruitment and instill national pride through public display.

The SA 330 was developed in the 1960’s to meet a French Army requirement for an all weather day/night capable helicopter. Built with a streamlined fuselage and retractable undercarriage the Puma is fast and agile. This together with two large sliding doors on each side of the cabin makes for a helicopter which is ideal for rapid deployment of around sixteen troops. Before completion of the project, Britain and France entered into a joint agreement over several aircraft types and the Puma SA 330E was chosen to meet an RAF requirement for a tactical medium transport helicopter.

This Anglo-French agreement was made on 22 February 1967 but since these were to be manufactured by Westland, and the necessary tooling was required prior to construction, the RAF only received their Puma’s on 14 June 1971.

The first prototype flew on 15 April 1965 and by 1969 when the French started receiving their first Puma SA 330B’s, the SAAF became one of the first foreign buyers of the export version which was the SA 330C and had improved Turmo IV engines. The SAAF purchased twenty. (Serials 121-140), 140 being a VIP model.
VIP model seats were actually “airline” seats taken from a DC-4.

(Added after feedback from Veldskoen)

Outside France, the SAAF was the largest user of Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and South Africa was the first export customer. Operations with the SAAF made the Puma a legend, from the snow capped mountains of the Drakensberg, the vast seas around South Africa, to the Bush War.

The Oryx can trace its origins back to the Bush War. Despite the efforts of the gunship Alouette, the need for a dedicated gunship was recognized. Atlas Aircraft Corporation (now DENEL Aviation), produced an experimental attack helicopter, the Alpha XH-1. This helicopter was used for feasibility studies and could not serve any practical purpose – this led to the more powerful XTP-1 in April, 1987. Two XTP-1s were converted, and based on a Puma J airframe. Various weapons and other systems were tested on XTP-1 and paved the way for Project: Rooivalk. However, the dynamic flight components of the XTP-1, made Atlas realise what advantages, a so called upgraded Puma could have.

Thanks Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Oryx

Mirage III
Air Show, Swartkops Air Force Base, Pretoria, South Africa

Kids playing at Atlanta holiday resort

South African Air Force Museum Air Show, Swartkops Air Force Base, Pretoria, South Africa
90 Years on Golden Wings

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Male Giraffe, photographed at Atlanta holiday resort

Camping at Atlanta holiday resort

Atlanta Holiday Resort