Tag Archives: Atlas Cheetah C
Denel Cheetah C ‘376’ flies again since 2001
The Atlas Cheetah is a South African fighter aircraft designed and produced by the aviation company Atlas Aircraft Corporation. It was developed at the behest of, and principally operated by, the South African Air Force. It was known many ex SAAF Mirage IIIs were converted from the help of the country of Israel using other airframes from Kfir and Nesher delta fighters to name a few.
The South African Airforce retired the Denel Cheetah in April 2008 as the new SAAB JAS39 Gripens were slowly entering service and replacing the Cheetah at 2 Squadron ,Airforce Base Makhado in the Limpopo province.
Draken International has acquired 12 Cheetahs to be utilised as aggressor aircraft flying against some of the worlds most deadly fighters jet the US Airforce and other forms of arms.
Draken International, LLC is an American provider of tactical fighter aircraft for contract air services including military and defense industry customers. The firm is based at the Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland, Florida and also has an operating base at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
On April 9 2021 Denel Cheetah C ‘376’ took to the skies piloted by Denel test pilot Ivan “Viking” Pentz. This particular cheetah hadn’t flown since October 2001.What a great sight to see the fast mover up in South African skies as she gets ready to depart for the United States soon.
Photos by Casper van Zyl
Denel Cheetah C “375” flies again after 18 years!
October 9th 2020,after sitting on the ground for 18 years, Cheetah C “375” took to the skies again over OR Tambo international Airport in Kempton- Park this past week.
The aircraft was flown by Denel fixed wing test pilot Ivan “Viking” Pentz,who has a number of flying hours on both the Cheetah B,D,D2 and C models.He has also flown the Hawk MK120,Mirage F1,The AHRLAC and many more!
Extremely high quality restoration to flight work by Denel. After a few test flights, it’ll be boxed up and sent to Draken International in Florida as said by African Defence Review Darren Olivier.
“DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL HAS CREATED A NEW STANDARD IN AVIATION SERVICE CAPABILITIES FOR ALL BRANCHES OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND ALLIED MILITARIES GLOBALLY. WITH A FLEET OF 150 TACTICAL FIGHTER AIRCRAFT, DRAKEN OWNS AND OPERATES THE WORLD’S LARGEST COMMERCIAL FLEET OF TACTICAL EX-MILITARY AIRCRAFT. “
“DRAKEN SUPPORTS MILITARY TRAINING OBJECTIVES AROUND THE GLOBE, PROVIDING TREMENDOUS COST SAVINGS OVER THE USE OF TRADITIONAL MILITARY FIGHTER ASSETS. AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO ANSWER THE GROWING DEMAND FOR CONTRACT AIR SUPPORT.“
The Atlas Cheetah was a South African fighter aircraft designed and produced by the aviation company Atlas Aircraft Corporation now known as Denel Aeronautics. It was developed at the behest of, and principally operated by, the South African Air Force until the aircraft were retired from SAAF service to be replaced by the SAAB Gripen in 2008.
Pictures by Casper van Zyl
Draken International Goes Supersonic Against The U.S Air Force
Draken International, the global leader in advanced adversary air services, has successfully commenced supersonic radar equipped F1M missions in support of USAF combat readiness training at Nellis AFB. The fully modernized Mirage F1Ms, predominately flown by the Spanish Air Force in the past, now challenge US and coalition 4th & 5th Generation fighters over the skies of the Nevada Test and Training Range in the development of warfighter’s tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Draken remains the only commercial air service provider to have purchased, imported, certified, and executed sustained flight operations with threat-representative fighter aircraft. These critical capabilities inherent to the Draken F1 fleet, are essential for supporting the Nellis ADAIR II contract, which provides adversary training for the prestigious USAF Weapons School, Red Flag exercises, operational test support, Formal Training Unit support, and Combat Air Forces abroad.
Over the past two years, the collaborative efforts between Draken International and Paramount Aerospace Systems has resulted in the reassembly, restoration, and certification of the fleet of Mirage F1s. This extensive project was accomplished at Draken’s maintenance facility in Lakeland, FL. Draken has also begun the acceptance of the fleet of Denel Cheetah’s from the South African Air Force; a 4th Generation supersonic radar-equipped fighter that joins Draken’s operational fleet.
Sean Gustafson, VP of Business Development at Draken stated, “Draken is fully committed to enhancing adversary support for the USAF. These fleets of supersonic assets highlight the dedication to fulfilling combat readiness training objectives at Nellis and Air Force bases across the U.S. Our ever-growing fleet of advanced fighters enrich our capabilities and challenge Airmen, Sailors, and Marines alike.”
Draken International is the world’s largest operator of ex-military aircraft. The company is based out of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL. The organization sets a new standard in airborne adversary support, flight training, threat simulation, electronic warfare support, aerial refueling, research, testing, as well as other missions uniquely suited to their fleet of aircraft. With over 100 tactical fighter aircraft incorporating modern 4th generation capabilities, the company is ideally positioned to answer the growing global demand for commercial air services. Draken employs world class, military training fighter pilots including USAF Weapons School Instructors, Fighter Weapons School Graduates, TOP GUN Instructors, Air Liaison Officers, and FAC-A Instructors, For additional information, visit http://www.drakenintl.com.
Visit to the SAAF Museum 03 November 2018
Visit to the SAAF museum 03 November 2018
Since 1973 the SA Air Force Museum has been the custodian of South Africa’s military aviation heritage. Our legacy, dating back to 1920, is one worth preserving and we aim to showcase this legacy to the public through our world-class displays.
The South African Air Force Museum aims to collect, preserve, restore and exhibit aircraft and articles relevant to the air force and South African military aviation. All our exhibits are designed in a way which is inclusive, factually accurate and conveys context in a way which does not express judgment. A dedicated team of permanent force, citizen force and civilian members works tirelessly to achieve these objectives and to oversee the day-to-day running of the museum as well as its continuous improvement.
The SAAF Museum is free for all members of the public but donations are appreciated, with all donations going towards the running of the museum.
The AFB Swartkop branch of the SAAF Museum is the largest branch of the museum and serves as the SAAF Museum’s headquarters. It is also the only branch of the SAAF Museum to boast a fleet of airworthy aircraft. A flying day is held on the first Saturday of each month, with members of the public welcome to attend.
Aircraft on display
- Aerospatiale Alouette III
- Aerospatiale Puma
- Aerospatiale Super Frelon
- Atlas Cheetah E
- Atlas Cheetah C
- Atlas Impala Mk.I
- Atlas Impala Mk.II
- Atlas XH-1 Alpha
- Avro Shackleton
- Blackburn Buccaneer
- Boeing 707
- Canadair CL-13
- Douglas DC-4
- Dassault Mirage III BZ
- Dassault Mirage III CZ
- Dassault Mirage III RZ
- English Electric Canberra T Mk.4
- Fieseler Storch
- Lockheed Ventura
- Mikoyan MiG-21 (South Africa returned jet to Angola in 2017)
- Mirage F1 AZ
- North American Harvard
- North American Mustang
- Patchen Explorer
- Paterson Biplane
- Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II
- Westland Wasp
To Reead more about the MIG 21’s return to Angola click here https://goo.gl/dEz5JM
**Click to enlarge photos below**
Hi Res photos, slow to load
Sources:
http://www.saafmuseum.com/swartkop-branch.html#swartkop
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Air_Force_Museum
