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Old 3rd Feb 2007, 12:19
  #24 (permalink)  
oldbilbo
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: near bristol
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How low......

In the late 70's, the SAAF B12 Cans and S.50 Buccs were on frequent strike missions against Cuban ground formations, with East German and Russian 'advisors'. As one might imagine, 'surprise' was the main defensive armament against the MRR triple-A and warning radar.

The SAAF Cans adopted the RAFG techniques of ultra-low level approach, climbing to delivery height, then unloading back down again for exit. One result of that procedure was the paint being stripped off the under-fuselage by the flat tops of the mopane ( acacia ) trees. On one occasion we went in below the Pumas and Super Frelons carrying in the 'follow-up' force. We wanted to deliver from below 100', but the weapons techies reminded us about 'chain sympathetic detonation' or summat, so 250 feet was about the lowest we were cleared for.

Then there was the bomb-bay full of empty beer bottles dropped from 10,000 feet, at night. 'Evil spirits in the sky' noises. Talk about PsyOps! Some of the Cubans didn't stop running 'til they got to the ocean....
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