Cheetah Alternative Colour schemes.

Denel Aviation Cheetah C - 342 "Spotty".

It is customary for Air Forces worldwide to paint aircraft in an alternative colour scheme to commemorate an event of great significance to the particular Air Force. The best examples have in recent years, appeared at the NATO Tiger Meet. The Air Force of South Africa is the second oldest in the world and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1995. To pay tribute to this unique milestone, the SAAF embarked on a series of air shows at all the operational airbases around South Africa. A number of Sqdns received permission to have some of their aircraft painted in special 75th anniversary alternative markings. However, 2 Sqdn opted for a special aerial display of mock air-air combat to give the public, some idea of the fighter pilot world. At that point in time, the Cheetah C was a closely guarded secret, with few people knowing the type was in service with the SAAF.

The first static public display of the Cheetah C was at AFB Langebaan, on 4 March 1995. The remote location of this base and being at sea-level, offered the opportunity to the jet pilots to exceed Mach 1 as part of their display. The mock air-air combat display performed to the delight of the crowds seemed a firm favourite. After the show many of the spectators congratulate 2 Sqdn on its world-class display, but pointed out difficulty to distinguish the "Bogey' or enemy aircraft, during the mock combat display. All three Cheetah C aircraft were painted in the standard three tone colour scheme and performed a "two versus one" mock combat display. Once back at their home base the problem received immediate attention and in true 2 Sqdn ingenuity, the Sqdn came up with the idea, of what eventually became "Spotty".

The alternative colour scheme was, initially referred to as "Bogey", and was the brainchild of Capt. Sean Thackwray - then a fighter pilot at 2 Sqdn and in his spare time, an aviation artist. Mr Albert van Oldenmark from Atlas Aviation paintshop (now Denel Aviation), offered the sponsorship to paint one Cheetah C in an alternative paint scheme. This formed part of Atlas Aviation's contribution towards the 75th Anniversary of the SAAF. Capt. Thackwrray worked closely with members of the paintshop at Atlas Aviation on the design and seven days later the artwork was completed. This was followed by the painting process. The colour scheme feature artwork of a Cheetah, the namesake of the aircraft. A full colour Cheetah head image on both sides of the fuselage, just below the canopy with spots on the top half of the fuselage, wings and canards make up this very unique artwork. The spotted artwork uses different colours and shades to make this artwork even more unique. As the design is very complex, every spot had to be painted, with the use of stencils. The whole artwork is in fact painted by hand on the aircraft and no decals are used. The final part was the painting of the SAAF 75 logo on the vertical stabiliser.

No 342 was unveiled during April 1995, at the Atlas Aviation paintshop as part of a special ceremony. The very complex artwork showed 2 Sqdn had once again lived up to their motto and created a very unique aircraft. During his address, Maj. Gen Chris Lombaard, then Chief of Air Staff Operations, said no 342 will be used for more realistic training and be used in public relations to promote the image of the SAAF. It was hoped the aircraft would give the public a better insight to the complex world of the fighter pilot. Other Air Forces have painted training aircraft in different colour schemes for ACM (air combat manoeuvring) training, but this was a first for the SAAF. Lt Col Cobus Toerien, then OC of 2 Sqdn, accepted the aircraft on behalf of the Sqn. It was flown to AFB Louis Trichardt and unveiled the next day, at a family day for members of 2 Sqdn. No 342 was the second Cheetah C delivered to 2 Sqdn, on 13 January 1993. As part of the mock air-air combat display no 342 was the "bogey" or enemy aircraft, but caused a sensation among spectators at the various air shows during the SAAF 75 celebrations. Even the pilot's helmet was painted in the special "Spotty" artwork. The beautiful artwork of very complex design became a firm favourite of aviation enthusiasts worldwide. No 342 featured in all leading aviation publications during 1995 and retained its popularity with aviation photographers, till this day.

Vertical stabiliser artwork on the original Spotty.

Mr A. van Oldenmark ( Atlas Aviation ) , Lt Col C. Toerien ( 2 Sqdn ) and Maj Gen C. Lombaard.

Spotty Aerial Display.

It is doubtful if the SAAF ever imagined that the aircraft would become so popular. The very professional air-air display highlighted the Cheetah's agility and the stunning, beautiful artwork of the "bogey", changed public opinion on the type, virtually overnight. Although used in the role of a bogey, the original name of "Bogey" never stuck and the aircraft became known as "Spotty". This name is used even today. After SAAF 75 the aircraft received the addition of a "tail" to the "Spotty" artwork. The "tail" replaced the SAAF 75 logos on the vertical stabiliser. This is the so-called "current Spotty" with the SAAF 75 version, referred to as the "original Spotty". The current Spotty still retains the SAAF 75 logo on the bottom of the wings.

Spotty was used as a trainer aircraft in dissimilar combat training and retains its multi-role capability. It remains in the current Spotty artwork and was used operationally with 2 Sqdn. On static or aerial display, Spotty remains a firm favourite with the aviation enthusiasts world-wide and performed, on the odd occasion at air shows. To see this aircraft being put through its paces, against a clear South African sky - remains a breathtaking sight. Before the first information article appeared on this Website, more than 70% of all enquiries received, were on the subject of Spotty. The aircraft is now a world famous icon and almost a legend in the aviation world. The complex artwork is regarded as one of the best ever applied, to any aircraft world-wide. However, on 21 June 2002 Spotty took to the air for the last time, as an operational aircraft. After a very low and slow fly past to members of 2 Sqdn, as a kind of tribute to 2 Sqdn who created a modern South African aviation icon, the OC of 2 Sqdn, advanced the throttles and pointed the nose in the direction of Pretoria. Spotty is now retired from operational use and to members of 2 Sqdn the absence of no 342 will always be regarded as something lost. Although the aircraft has NOT reached the end of it's service life, the aircraft's world-wide popularity must have been a large contributing factor for it to be preserved at the SAAF Museum Swartkop, without the risk of attrition. As of mid 2003 the aircraft form part of the INDOOR static exhibits after all the classified equipment was removed from the aircraft. It is hoped that Spotty will always be kept INDOORS to preserve the unique artwork of Spotty. The aircraft cannot be used for airshow displays in the future, as the cockpit has been stripped bare and is thus only a static exhibit. For members with a keen SAAF interest, (although sad that this aircraft is now lost from the SA aviation scene) - it is great to be able to visit this aircraft as part of the static exhibits at the SAAF Museum Swartkops.