|
Written by Anton Dyason - IPMS SA Media Group
|
|
Monday, 12 February 2007 |
|
Page 10 of 16 Colour Schemes and Markings: Original article D. Becker, Additional A. Dyason & P. van Schalkwyk.
Colour scheme drawings: Page1 , Page2 . A1:  A1 at Wonderboom airshow 1949 | Delivered in an overall silver type finish. No record of the delivery markings exist.
It was first publicly demonstrated at an airshow at Wonderboom in August 1949. Finish remained overall silver with a black serial no “A1” on the boom near the end of the boom. A yellow band was painted around the boom near the tail end of the boom. A red arrow pointing towards the end of the tail boom was superimposed on the yellow band. The wording “Danger – Keep Away” was also applied to the yellow band. C1 type roundels was applied to both sides of the boom near the tail end of the fuselage, on the back of the main rotor shaft fuselage cover and on the bottom of the fuselage near the tail end behind the under carriage. The three tail rotor braces which attached the wooden rotor blade to the shaft of the tail rotor were painted in individual colours of orange, yellow and blue. The leading edge metal edges which reinforced the wooden blade and the blade tips were painted yellow. Service stencils on the wooden blade were in yellow. On top of the main undercarriage brace a stretched triangle was applied in matt black.
Either late in 1948 or early 1949 the C1 roundels were replaced with the early D type roundels. Also note photo evidence exists which indicate the 12 Sqdn badge with a blue circle outline was carried on the right hand side of the fuselage below the main cabin window but in front of the outlet grill located on the fuselage, while the aircraft was in service with the Sqdn. From another photo this fuselage Sqdn badge was not repeated on the left hand side.
During 1950 the early D type roundels were replaced with the 18 inch orange Springbok roundel. This was when the helicopter was moved to Langebaaan.
Important to note the different National Markings remained in the same positions throughout A1’s service life with the SAAF.
The SA Metal and Machinery Co. repainted A1 in a white and dark blue scheme when the helicopter was registered as ZS-HBT on 25/3/65. |  A1 during the spraying operations. Note 12 Sqdn badge and damage to tail boom. |  At Langebaan. Note Springbok roundals. Person on the left believed to be G. Tatham. |  ZS-HBT White and dark blue colour scheme | A2:  A2 during the spraying operations. Note 12 Sqdn badge. | Appeared in a blue civilian scheme based upon the scheme as used by the Sikorsky demonstrator. Top area below the rotor head was in white as well as a patch resembling the “Winged-S” Sikorsky emblem immediately behind the main cabin windows. On the boom extending towards the fuselage was a white flash. White serial no “A2” on the boom just after the mid point of the boom. This was in a different font and size to “A1”. A yellow band was painted around the boom near the tail end of the boom. A red arrow pointing towards the end of the tail boom was superimposed on the yellow band. The wording “Danger – Keep Away” was also applied to the yellow band. 18 inch orange Springbok roundels were applied to both sides of the main rotor cover towards the blue section and behind the midway point of the main rotor cover. It does not look as if a roundel was applied at the bottom of the helicopter. Also note photo evidence exists which indicate the 12 Sqdn badge with a blue circle outline was carried on the right hand side of the fuselage below the main cabin window but in front of the outlet grill located on the fuselage, while the aircraft was in service with the Sqdn. From another photo this fuselage Sqdn badge was not repeated on the left hand side. When the helicopter appeared at the Van Riebeeck festival in 1952 – all roundels and the Sqdn badge were removed. Solid centre wheel disks to cover the centre hubs were also installed. It was fitted with the three bladed tail rotor. Also no info is available on the use of the metal two blade tail rotor on A2. |  A2 at the Van Riebeeck festival. Note adsence of National markings. | A3:  Only photo of A3 although only a piece of the tailboom. | In December 1952, Dave Becker reported seeing A3 flying near Durban in an overall red/orange colour scheme. This has been confirmed by at least one other credible source. However the shade of red is mere speculation and no photographic evidence exist. No other detail info available. Also no info is available on the use of the metal two blade tail rotor on A3.
|
Colours of main rotor blades: Overall silver for all helicopters. Rotor head painted silver including all rubber bushings etc. Towards the end of A1's service life at Langebaan, it is believed similar metal blades as used for the S-55 were installed. The metal blades were painted matt black with service stencilling in white.
If you have additional info on the S-51 helicopters of the SAAF please contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Full credit given. We are looking for additional photos of A1 and in particular A2 and A3. If you can assist please contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Full credit given.
|
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 March 2007 )
|
Knowledge Base 
