First SAAF Hawk arrives
Date: 21 November 2003
The first Hawk fighter trainer jet purchased in terms of the multi-billion rand arms deal arrived in South Africa on Friday, arms procurer Armscor said in Pretoria.
It said the Hawk KM (webmater: Mk) 120 was transported by air from Warton in the United Kingdom, where it was manufactured by BAE Systems. The aircraft - the first of 24 to be delivered to South Africa - undertook its maiden flight in Warton on Thursday.
It was disassembled and flown to the test flight centre of the SA Air Force in Bredasdorp in the Western Cape.
"Extensive flight, ground and other tests required in terms of the contract ... will be conducted at the centre and elsewhere over the next 18 months," Armscor sai d.
The first production Hawk aircraft was scheduled to be delivered to the airforce by mid-2005. Armscor said the new Hawk would be officially welcomed at a ceremony in early February.
News24
The following was posted on the SAAF News group on 14 November 2003:
'It has RAF serial ZJ970 - SAAF serial 250 and c/n SA001. It will be the only one to receive an RAF serial, the others will be crated out to SA for their first flight out here.
It ff on 02.10.03 from Warton and departed by air freight on 17.10.03 for RSA, inside An-22 Flight ADB6593.'
