IPMS South Africa - DENEL Aviation Cheetah

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DENEL Aviation Cheetah

Written by Anton Dyason - IPMS SA Media Group

Thursday, 26 July 2001

Page 7 of 16

Denel Aviation Cheetah D no 861.

Cheetah D no 861 was displayed for the first time to the general public at the “Centenary of Flight” air show held at the SAAF Museum Swartkop, on 16 August 2003. The aircraft is painted in a striking colour scheme utilising very bright colours. This is due to the dissimilar combat training role of no 861, where the aircraft will be used to represent the enemy aircraft. Main colours used in the new scheme represent the colours of two Squadron, being Red, Yellow and Black.

Due to the dissimilar training role of the aircraft, the Squadron was limited in the actual colours that could be utilised on an aircraft employed in this role. This is the reason for the bright gloss colours used in complex shapes on the aircraft. The design also includes a gloss black nose with an oversized shark mouth on the sides of the nose. Reason for the shark mouth is mainly to represent the “bad guy” in the air to air adversary role. It seems rather an odd shark mouth resembling a modified F4 Phantom shark mouth from the Vietnam era. Over the years very few 2 Sqdn aircraft appeared with a shark mouth. The best known example of the shark mouth appeared on one or two Mirage IIIRZs and a Mirage III BZ. The South African flag colours are used on the vertical stabiliser of the aircraft. A large number “2” is carried on the bottom of no 861. Serial numbers are carried in red towards the back of the aircraft. No National insignia is applied to the aircraft as yet. Cheetah logo and general warning/info markings are applied to the aircraft. The wording “Painted by DENEL Aviation” appears in yellow on the port side of the fuselage only – in close proximity to the serial no. Colour scheme of 861 was designed by Mark Wilson of the SAAF. Cheetah D no 861 is not named “Beast” as the aircraft has not received an official nickname.

Used as the bogey in ACM display by 2 Sqdn at AAD 04.

Very bright colour scheme - even at dusk.

However, no 861 is not only finished in a new colour scheme, but feature a few additional upgrades. This upgrade to the Cheetah D is called project “Recipient”. During 2002 Cheetah D no 859 was used for development work with new intakes as part of “Project Recipient” to increase the airflow through the original Cheetah D intakes. The air intakes feature modifications to some areas of the intake shape to improve the airflow. Basic outer shape remains the same. The main feature of the “Recipient” upgrade is the fitment of an up-rated 09K50 engine, by improving a number of individual components of the engine. The fitment of the 9K50 engine was as a follow on project to feasibility studies carried out by DENEL in 1994 as a private venture by mating Cheetah D no 844 with 836 (a Mirage III RZ which received a 9K50 engine in a separate upgrade). Increased airflow and the up-rated engine give the “Recipient” upgraded Ds a significant increase in performance. Judging by the air show display of this aircraft, it is certainly not a slow mover. 2 Squadron currently have two Cheetahs painted in an alternative colour scheme, a Cheetah C no 370, called "Vlaggie" and the Cheetah D no 861 in a new colour scheme. The original alternative colour scheme featured on a Cheetah C, no 342 nicknamed "Spotty". Spotty is currently with drawn from service and on public display at the SAAF Museum, Swartkop.