First Agusta Spotted

[Gunship]

Agusta 109 Power I-EPWR was seen flying in Pretoria in camo c/s with 17
Sqn markings applied. It also has new day-glo stripes applied.

This seems to be the first of the SAAF's new helicopters or the company
demonstartor finished in SAAF markings. This is the aircraft that featured in
Agusta press clippings in Italy recently.

(report from a plane spotter)

[The Claw]

Apparently it is not a SAAF machine but an Agusta machine undergoing "Hot and High" trials.

[Gunship]

Correct Claw !

It is not the definitive SAAF A109M model but close !

Here is some more news re the Augusta :

"My contact at Agusta tells me that Denel will be building A109LUH's for
Sweden. To those who know this already, apologies....but I thought this fact
might be topical, as a similar machine is presently in Sweden undergoing
"cold" trials! "

I also have a photo (courtesy of LJV) of what the new SAAF Augusta 109s will look like. This machine is the 5th production example, made in Italy, and is shown with the badge of No 17 Squadron/SAAF .. anybody interested mail me - I will check more regular now ;)