SA Photographer, Frans Dely, soars on selection for Gripen International 2007 calendar.

JOHANNESBURG - Several images captured by world-renowned South African aviation photographer, Frans Dely, have been selected to illustrate the limited edition Gripen International 2007 calendar. The photographs span the past three years during which Dely has been commissioned by Gripen International and Saab, the manufacturers of the modern multi-role fighter aircraft. During this time, Dely has photographed Gripen aircraft in the skies and on the ground in several locations, including Sweden, South Africa, the UK, and France.

South African aviation photographer Frans Dely ( left ) with Gripen Test Pilot Johan Sjostrand in front of the SAAB SK60 jet after a successful sortie in Sweden photographing the South African Gripen on it's first ever flight.

Three of the seven images chosen for the calendar are of the first South African Gripen which made it's debut at the African Aerospace & Defence exhibition, held in Cape Town a few weeks ago.

"It's a team effort that requires a lot of hard work both in the planning and execution. It starts with Gripen Interantional entrusting me with the task and extends to the professional approach, support and skill of the pilots of both the subject aircraft and the camera-ships. Without these contributions, it would be impossible to achieve such a high level of presentation. I'm indebted and grateful to each and everyone for their contributions and look forward to creating further superb imagery for a truly magic team and product in 2007", says Dely.

The 2007 Gripen calendar will be avialable to order from the Gripen team's online shop www.gripenshop.com from 8 December 2006.

Press release by Gripen International.

pdf preview of the calendar - click here .