Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: KiwiZac on February 21, 2013, 04:38:07 AM
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Due to the arms embargo placed on the Republic of South Africa by UN member nations in 1963 the South African Air Force (SAAF) found it extremely difficult to purchase aircraft to properly fulfil certain roles, often turning to modifications of existing SAAF aircraft or even civilian machines. One of the more unique examples of this was the Atlas/Denel Jakkal (Afrikaans for “jackal”), a scout/attack helicopter largely comparable to the later Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.
Development of the Jakkal began with the import of a Bell 222B executive helicopter s/n 47132 to Johannesburg-based Ancom Jet Aviation, a front for the RSA government purchasing firm Armscor. The aircraft, registered to Ancom as ZS-HMD, arrived in mid-1986 and was immediately flown to Atlas’ headquarters for prototyping.
Conversion to the prototype Jakkal saw the entire interior stripped and the main cabin filled with modern military electronics equipment (targeting, countermeasures etc) and fuel tanks, including streamlined conformal tanks on the fuselage sides. Extra fuel was vital for the most radical part of the upgrade: twin Turbomeca Marboré turbojets installed at the root of the sponsons. These would allow the aircraft “boost” capability to allow short bursts of speed for rapid egress from a hostile environment and quick attacks before enemy systems would have time to react. With the twin jets the Jakkal became the first – and so far only – compound helicopter to achieve operational status.
Armament installed included underbelly air-to-ground folding-fin rockets, twin Vektor GA-1 Rattler 20mm cannon on the end of each sponson and two Atlas V3 Kukri air-to-air missiles for self-defence. Armour plating was installed around the cockpit and fuel tanks for added protection from small arms fire.
To assist with long-range/loitering ops an air-to-air refuelling probe was installed on the right side of the aircraft, over the pilot’s entry door. The navigator/weapons specialist received a comprehensive suite of targeting and weapons systems including an infra-red sight mounted on the roof forward of the rotor mast.
The prototype Jakkal flew for the first time on May 3 1987. It performed well, exceeding all expectations and 26 Jakkals were ordered for the SAAF in June, the final two aircraft delivered in August 1989.
So. Who'd like to see some pics?
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So, how do you say 'Gimme the Turbos, Dom' in Afrikaans?
Oh yes, we need pics - we need pics NOW!!
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You have to ask ??????
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Yes, pics please Mango King!
I haven't seen pics with The Hand of God in them in a long time!
Brian da Basher
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Post pics ...or face the consequences. C:-)
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;)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/DSCF0515_zpsd2b751b8.jpg)
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Good man!
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Tomorrow I'll continue scratching wire cutters, looking at making the cannon and how to make the sponsons/stub-wings bigger...
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Very nice - looking forward to seeing how this one pans out!
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Very nice - looking forward to seeing how this one pans out!
Thanks! And so do I... :-\
I bought this kit a couple of years ago, and as it was a "knock-off" by Kitech I decided to "what if?" it, rather than put in work to make it an accurate representation of "The Lady". I immediately thought the South Africans would love such a machine and proceeded to paint it brown....and then left it for about three years. After finally obtaining seasons 1 and 2 of Airwolf I found my mojo...re-mojo'd?...and decided to get into it.
Hopefully it won't immediately scream "AIRWOLF" once it's done thanks to lumps, bumps and minor mods.
That said, I would LOVE to get one of the new Aoshima kits and do it right.
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That's coming along wonderfully! What a treat to see the Hand of God again!
We need to find you a scale figure of Ernest Borgnine for it.
Brian da Basher
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Slight change of plans: say hello to the stub wings and now podded cannon!
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/Jakkal03_zpsfc6d4d9a.jpg)
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Yeah, I don't think SWAPO is going to like seeing those appear over the battlefield!
Yeah, just went back to check the original post and realised the Jakkal would be a bit late for the Border War. Still, it looks great!
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Really great stuff :) I love the new wings you have added. The wire strikes are excellent.
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I'm really mad ... !!! >:( I was really enjoying your build when iv had a problem with my internet carrier. They say it won't be fixed till the first !!! All I get for your pictures is a question mark... !!!!!! I think the good father needs to put a curse on them as I got to just see your first picture... ??? :(
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Thanks taiidantomcat! I was struggling with how to do the weapons, especially as FFAR pods probably wouldn't work under a 222 with the gear extended! So I struck on the stubs, originally 1/72 Comanche ones but I found 1/72 P-51 outer wings were a great fit.
Father, I hope your connection works again soon! I'd hate for you to miss out on the Jakkal goodness!
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Have you thought about upgrading to a four-bladed rotor following the lead of the Bell 407 et al.? I seriously doubt that the two-bladed rotor could handle the boost speeds.
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You and me both,my friend.
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Sounds sensible enough! All I need is another 1/48 222 main rotor.
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Looking very good :) Keep up the good work!