Flying the Kudu?
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Capt U, thanks for the info. Haven't seen Johan Lok for yonks but I know he always does a good job. Have to agree that the price is totally excessive, and it's USD190K - not USD90K. When the SAAF sold the Kudus they went for between ZAR20K to ZAR60K so I reckon the Bossies must have gone for about the same. The Kudus value did increase slightly after that. But then I also get the impression that the Bossie is viewed more of a warbird than the Kudu which will add to the price.
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Bakela...I read the price as AUD190K = +/-USD90K.
The guy selling has to be Bossies!
Edited after I checked the latest rates...USD115,900!!
The guy selling has to be Bossies!
Edited after I checked the latest rates...USD115,900!!
Last edited by Cpt. Underpants; 7th May 2003 at 09:38.
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Cpt. U,
Incidentally, this high price reminds me of the 'unofficial altitude record' in the Kudu. If my memory serves me correct it is a great mate of Guns that clocked FL210, that's right, 21 000 ft overhead Ondangs one night - and without oxygen!
One for The Campfire methinks.
The highest I've been in a Kudu was 17 400ft - and it took 41 minutes to get there after airborne from Swarties.
Incidentally, this high price reminds me of the 'unofficial altitude record' in the Kudu. If my memory serves me correct it is a great mate of Guns that clocked FL210, that's right, 21 000 ft overhead Ondangs one night - and without oxygen!
One for The Campfire methinks. The highest I've been in a Kudu was 17 400ft - and it took 41 minutes to get there after airborne from Swarties.
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The Kudu also does great landings upside down with two 44 Gallon Drums in the back - ask Bakkies and Porky!
Jokes aside, as demanding and frightening as the Kudu could be on occasion, it taught those of us that flew it a lot about flying, especially when most of us were 18 year old youngsters. The OC of 41 Sqn(Tony Smit) was also a great instructor and I think it was also due to him that most of us survived our times on the Kudu. A SAAF directive stated that only senior SAAF pilots were to fly the Kudu after a couple had pranged. However with the right training and precautions she was a fun aircraft to fly and I wouldn't mind climbing back into one 20 years later.
Jokes aside, as demanding and frightening as the Kudu could be on occasion, it taught those of us that flew it a lot about flying, especially when most of us were 18 year old youngsters. The OC of 41 Sqn(Tony Smit) was also a great instructor and I think it was also due to him that most of us survived our times on the Kudu. A SAAF directive stated that only senior SAAF pilots were to fly the Kudu after a couple had pranged. However with the right training and precautions she was a fun aircraft to fly and I wouldn't mind climbing back into one 20 years later.
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I had the misfortune of doing the BOI on one of the more recent Kudu prangs (Apr 02). The aircraft attempted a take-off from a road at Kaap Hangklip during a extreme sport event(Base jumping etc). Ran into some extreme wind shear shortly after take-off and lobbed into the sea of Silwerstrand.
The PIC was Pierie G (Of L39 fame) next to him was Gentleman Dave K(Of Silver Falcons fame) in the back was 6 pa including a F15 driver from Israel, everybody got out OK, aircraft Cat 5ed by the incoming tide. Gentleman Dave was very unhappy as this was his first prang after 25 years in the SAAF.
The Israeli thought that the incident hould be kept secret because if AlQaeda here of this aircraft they might want to repeat 9/11 and the crew will stand a good chance of surviving (Kudu built like a brick outhouse and all.)
By the way its called a Kudu because thats the sound it makes when it prangs. KA DU
As I'm typing this I am listening to Blokkies throwing the F1 around in preparation for the Swaries airshow next weekend.
A'hhhh the sound of freedom.
The PIC was Pierie G (Of L39 fame) next to him was Gentleman Dave K(Of Silver Falcons fame) in the back was 6 pa including a F15 driver from Israel, everybody got out OK, aircraft Cat 5ed by the incoming tide. Gentleman Dave was very unhappy as this was his first prang after 25 years in the SAAF.
The Israeli thought that the incident hould be kept secret because if AlQaeda here of this aircraft they might want to repeat 9/11 and the crew will stand a good chance of surviving (Kudu built like a brick outhouse and all.)
By the way its called a Kudu because thats the sound it makes when it prangs. KA DU
As I'm typing this I am listening to Blokkies throwing the F1 around in preparation for the Swaries airshow next weekend.
A'hhhh the sound of freedom.
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Does anyone have any accurate statistics with regard to Kudu accidents,fafatlities etc since start of service in the SAAF and then subsequently once the civvies started flying them. I seem to remember a figure of about 40 originally being built and there were about 20 left when I was on the Squadron.
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RH,
The only fatality ever (while in SAAF service) in a Kudu was a stretchered casevac patient that died when it pranged due to an engine failure at night after t/o from Ruacana - cause Jet A1 instead of Avgas uplifted in Ruacana. Obviously the poor bloke could not be tied down properly and the impact was quite severe causing him to suffer fatal trauma against the rear of the pilots seat.
When Armscor sold them off, 16 were sold (flown out of Swarties), 2 went to the Swarties SAAF museum and 1 (or 2?) went to Ysters SAAF museum.
Don't have any more info except the above and the fact that there were many Kudu prangs. By the way, does anybody know the whereabouts of "Dawid Opvou"? Those who knew/know him will know who I'm talking about. If you do, PM or mail me the gaff.
The only fatality ever (while in SAAF service) in a Kudu was a stretchered casevac patient that died when it pranged due to an engine failure at night after t/o from Ruacana - cause Jet A1 instead of Avgas uplifted in Ruacana. Obviously the poor bloke could not be tied down properly and the impact was quite severe causing him to suffer fatal trauma against the rear of the pilots seat.
When Armscor sold them off, 16 were sold (flown out of Swarties), 2 went to the Swarties SAAF museum and 1 (or 2?) went to Ysters SAAF museum.
Don't have any more info except the above and the fact that there were many Kudu prangs. By the way, does anybody know the whereabouts of "Dawid Opvou"? Those who knew/know him will know who I'm talking about. If you do, PM or mail me the gaff.
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Eisschhh!
Dogslay, not trying to make light of this particular subject we're discussing but all the Castles must be getting to me. 
You are quite correct. It was during night flying training if I remember correctly. I can recall that Mark M broke one or both his legs in the accident and was off flying for quite a long time.
From my logbook this was also the accident that resulted in the ban on Kudu night flying at the time. Four C185's were transferred to 41 Sqn from Potch for the Kudu drivers to remain current on night flying. I see I logged my first C185 sortie at 41 on 25 Nov '82 (738). The four C185's at 41 at the time were all E-models and were 737, 738, 745 and 746. Now see there, some Kudu drivers even flew the 'Fluffy" at 41 Sqn...well it was 737 wasn't it? 
Now this reminds me of a very interesting episode with 738 and it's "excessive" fuel consumption...but not on this thread.
You are quite correct. It was during night flying training if I remember correctly. I can recall that Mark M broke one or both his legs in the accident and was off flying for quite a long time. From my logbook this was also the accident that resulted in the ban on Kudu night flying at the time. Four C185's were transferred to 41 Sqn from Potch for the Kudu drivers to remain current on night flying. I see I logged my first C185 sortie at 41 on 25 Nov '82 (738). The four C185's at 41 at the time were all E-models and were 737, 738, 745 and 746. Now see there
, some Kudu drivers even flew the 'Fluffy" at 41 Sqn...well it was 737 wasn't it? Now this reminds me of a very interesting episode with 738 and it's "excessive" fuel consumption...but not on this thread.
