The SAAF Forum

I had to beat Dean to post pics.
l to r Protea Modjadji Amatola Drakies

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

The Air Force has started arriving.

http://www.heraldlive.co.za/reach-sky/

Arrived this evening in PE for business. Three TP Daks at the airport. Didn't see any Hawks or Gripens. Hopefully get to see the boats in the morning. On my way to ORT saw a G6 trundling down the N3. Impressive as its sheer size dwarfs the large trucks. I guess it takes quite a bit of metal to move a 155mm gun around....

Hey all. I'm fortunate to be in PE this week. Can somebody please forward me some sort of schedule as to what will be happening and when. Thanks!

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Roshan Bachan

Around 46 tonnes!

Hi Rosh night shoot is tonight at 19:30 and the parade is sunday at 10:00 with the amphib assault at 12:00

Sitting here at Barnies pub and watching 2 Rooivalk, 3 Oryx, 1 LUH, Drakies and strikecraft

I thought you went to PE for work?

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Ja Dean. We finished early and per chance made it to the pub just as the action started. Will unfortunately miss the night thing. Will post some pics later.

So, we had just boarded for flight back home when 5 Gripens took off. Must have been one helluva sunset show. Taxied out past 4 Hawks, 1 C-130, 2 Daks, 1 Caravan, 1 Rooivalk (the other had taken off a bit earlier), 1 LUH, 2 BK117 and 3 Oryx. When last did PE see such a line up. There was also a Lynx buzzing around, no doubt from the Corvette offshore.

PE was buzzing with military activity yesterday.
I went to the harbour to get some pics of the ships...but only Protea and the sub were alongside. Drakkies and a strike craft were anchored just off shore.
There were also many landing craft out and about. I counted 5 lima boats and two namacurras.
Later the afternoon i was blown away seeing 1 A109, 2 rooivalk, 4 oryx and a BK117 in the air. What a sight! I took a drive to the airport to capture their return to base...spotted 3 daks on the apron. Couldn't see the hawks or gripens though. The fighters were out and about during the night shoot.

I must say...they have really gone all out. The PA system is awesome. Speakers along the beach road for kilometres. There is a real hype which the department of defence has created. I believe Sunday is going to be awesome.

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Roshan Bachan

Some not so good pics taken at long range with mik 'n drik. Gives you an idea anyway of the action :

View of Drakies from the pub :



Helos and assault force craft from the Drakies :



LUH, Oryx and Rooivalk over Drakies :



2 Roovalkies over Drakies :

Beach assault :





Rooivalk - what are those white goodies - chaff and flare ???

At airport taxiing out - real bad pics but for the record :

One of five Gripens departing :



TP Dak #1 :



TP Dak #2 (#3 had just departed earlier) :



4 Hawks and C-130 :