Quadaffi was an original contender, but I believe that the French had a hand in squashing the deal.

Numbers for Gabon vary but most give it as eight.

Why would the French intefere with the deal? So they could sell Libya surplus F1C’s or Rafales even?

Thanks all. I’ve had an MRI scan already, which shows that the disk is impinging on the sciatic nerve. A friend who’s wife had the op recommended patience, stretching, and hanging so as to relieve pressure. I’m going to perhaps investigate an ostiopath or chiroprator next week as the 4 physiotherapy sessions I’ve had haven’t helped in the slightest. Should I give it more time?

As to the other suggestions, KM (Martin?) I’m afraid a trip to Utah for a spot of mountain climbing isn’t quite within my physical capabilities just yet! Also, I fear that unless your Orthopeadic Surgeon lives in or around the greater Cape Town area, I’m afraid it might be a tad expensive to go and see him! Thanks for the tips though.

Thanks Robbo.

So you didn’t have surgery? When diagnosed, was surgery ever discussed? Did your disk impinge on your sciatic nerve at all? Why the Ostiopath and not a Physio? The doctor I saw suggested a limited 1 month physiotherapy course to see if there is any progress. If not, he wants to operate. People I’ve spoken to say that I should not have the op.

Was your rehabilitation a complete success?

I’ve always wondered why Libya doesn’t snap up the old SAAF Mirage F1AZ’s that are stored in the republic, as they were the only other airforce to use that model. There must be at least 20 available, and would augment their A fleet quite nicely.

Thanks for the link.

So, if the intention is to attain an approximate pool of 30 aircraft by 2025, that would mean that they have components to produce about 10 more Black Jacks? More if you consider attrition…..

Thats an awful lot of sub-assemblies and parts lying around.:confused: However, as you say, perhaps limited production of certain assemblies might be an option.

Any idea of the life of an NK-321? How many of these engines are anticipated to be used during the life span of a Black Jack?

You mean like the RR Avon, it was only fitted to the Valliant, Canberra, Hunter, Swift, Scimitar, Lightning, Comet, Sabre, Caravelle etc.
Or the Spey fitted to the Buccaneer, Phantom, BAC 111, Nimrod etc.
The Adour?

….and J-79 on the F104, Kfir, Phantom, Vigilante, B-58 Hustler off the top of my head.

To my knowledge the only Anti-Ship Missile used by the SAAF during the early embargo years (1978 onwards) was the AS-30. It was primarily used by the Buccaneers in the Anti-ship role, but also by the Mirage 111 and F1 in other roles. The earlier AS-20 was also used.

This is not to say that there weren’t perhaps a few AM-39’s…who knows. There is still a lot of secrecy surrounding apartheid era defence.

I have seen this bandied around on various internet sites for the last few days.

Some reflective thinking will show that this probably not going to happen because:

It is almost 50 years old. Spares for its machinery are no longer manufactured.
It is incredibly manpower intensive. Crew of over 5600. That’s a lot of training , feeding, clothing and wages.
It will probably come with political strings attached. I doubt India wants to become a vassal state again.