Tag Archives: MushakBirthday

Sixteen candles for SA’s only Mushshak

The PAC MFI-17 Mushshak is a license-built fixed-gear basic trainer aircraft used by the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Air Force. An improved version of the Saab Safari, the MFI-17 is manufactured in Kamra, Pakistan by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.

Hilton Wolff the owner of the only Mushshak in South Africa,came into SA as a demonstration model for the South African Airforce (SAAF) who then were in the market for a basic trainer.

In 2016 aviation enthusiasts got to see the Super Mushshak being put through its paces at Africa Aerospace and Defence at AFB Waterkloof in Pretoria from the Pakistan Airforce.This Maybe another time for the SAAF to purchase this type of trainer. But it didn’t fold out.

Initially twelve were ordered but then things went wrong and the order was eventually cancelled and the demonstration aircraft , that was delivered, stayed in South Africa for good.

The aircraft was then sold to a couple of owners where she landed up in Cape Town at a flight school and eventually in the hands of Hilton where the aircraft was based still at Wonderboom Airport and now as we speak Brakpan in the East Rand of Johannesburg.

One of Hilton’s biggest concerns about owning this former military trainer was parts availability, a concern that was quickly resolved when he contacted the factory in Pakistan and they assured him that anything he needed they were willing to supply.

The aircraft is built under licence from SAAB who originally released the military version as the SAAB MFI-17 Supporter. Hilton also made contact with SAAB and they too assured him parts would not be a challenge.

On Thursday 7th March 2022 we were invited to join the celebration of both Hiltons and the Mushshak birthday at Brakpan Airfield. We were treated to a couple of flypasts of the aircraft flown by veteran airshow display pilot Scully Levin.

The 6th of April is esteemed Hilton Wolff ‘s Birthday and the 7th of April is the Mushshak’s Birthday.
This making the Mushshak 16 years old.

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