With regards to IPMSA’s ( http://www.ipmssa.za.org ) recent article on Exercise Good Hope II, it was mentioned that that the Cheetah C’s carried V3S Snake captive training rounds for use in the air-to-air scenarios.
If I’m not mistaken, the V3S is actually the Python3, which is basically early to mid 80’s technology (albeit all-aspect).
I’d just like to enquire why I haven’t yet seen or heard of U-Darter training rounds. Does it really stack up that badly against other international IR missiles? I really thought that the U-Darter would be more advanced than the V3S.
After all, according to what I’ve read in “Vlamgat” (by Dick Lord) the V3S was originally acquired as a stop-gap measure after the abysmal performance of the V3B, and the appearance in-theatre of the AA-8 missile fielded by the Cuban MiG-23’s.
Info is very scarce, so I was hoping to find some answers here…
Note: On the SAAF’s website (http://www.af.mil.za/news/2006/037.htm), it mentions 40 V-3S missiles being launched during this exercise, scoring 38 direct hits, and 2 proximity kills. Not bad, eh? 😀
By: wilhelm - 8th January 2007 at 12:46
This is just an awesome picture…one of the best I’ve seen.
By: Arabella-Cox - 5th January 2007 at 20:40
Yes, very nice pictures of what is probably the ultimate MirageIII development!
By: Krav - 5th January 2007 at 20:21
Hope have noticed the V3S on the background F1AZ…
I’ve collected some of saaf cheetah for years on the web yes, and saaf aircrafts in general… (I’m still looking for some if you have)
Some recent on the net, some during good hope II exercice, some older, I find great action :
Atlas Aviation photos release :
(For SAAF Addicted!)
By: wilhelm - 5th January 2007 at 09:22
WOW! Fantastic pictures Krav. Many thanks. Got any more?
By: Krav - 5th January 2007 at 03:52
Sure python3 alias v3s were interim missiles, for mid range capabilities (p3/v3s>15kms, V3b>5 kms right?), as the V3C darter was not ready yet. Later v3c and v3s both equiped mirage f1s and cheetahs.
Now the U-darter is sharper than the V3C, wich sould be sharper than the V3S (as the python 3 is even a late 70s very good aam).
We can suppose than they consume their stock of live v3s before being retired out of service (ie peremption date of ammos…the peremption is shorter and shorter if they fly hours and hours, in this case they did not fly a lot before as they were purchased in the 80’s)
++
By: Krav - 5th January 2007 at 03:31
Some pics of V3S carrying / firing on Cheetah C no 56
Stated in 1996 that Cheetah “probably”(at that time) use combo of V3C darter and V3S python3, mixed, up to 4.
traditionnal red helmet of the 2sq “flying cheetahs”
ps : As it was mentioned in others topics, the space behind the canopy is an electronic bay with boxes in racks (‘mean no extra fuel tank)
I saw others an better pics of that, some boxes are attached in the U of the bay door, and there are some more behind… (i read that some 50% of the air co /cooling naturaly goes for avionics).
Bye
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June 5, 2006 at 3:36 pm