THE AIRFORCE - AIRCRAFT - P166S ALBATROSS
Aircraft Stats:
P166S Albatross
The SAAF purchased 20 aircraft for its close-inshore maritime patrol and fisheries protection requirement. The first aircraft arrived in October 1969 and the final aircraft arrived in late 1974.
The SAAF had 20 Albatross aircraft in total, one of which (Albatross 894) crashed while in service with the SAAF. Serial numbers were 881 to 900. They were operated by 27 Squadron their entire service career and were retired in 1993.
The SAAF used them for maritime patrol and she was outfitted with a very good radar and camera system. A hatch in the floor was available to drop marker flares and a dinghy was installed for possible ditching. HF for long range comms.
A hatch on the right hand side of the fuselage was for a camera. It had a spring-loaded door that was opened by the co-pilot when photos were required.
The flare tube was in the floor behind and between the two seats and flares or dye markers could be dropped through this tube/chute when required.
Only serial 883 was fitted for rocket trials, it had a mounting plate and cables for a gunsight, wing reinforcements for rocket pods and a rocket arm/jettison panel above the pilots left shoulder.
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