SAAF Atlas Jakkal scout/attack helo

[KiwiZac]

Due to the arms embargo placed on the Republic of South Africa by UN member nations in 1963 the South African Air Force (SAAF) found it extremely difficult to purchase aircraft to properly fulfil certain roles, often turning to modifications of existing SAAF aircraft or even civilian machines. One of the more unique examples of this was the Atlas/Denel Jakkal (Afrikaans for "jackal"), a scout/attack helicopter largely comparable to the later Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.

Development of the Jakkal began with the import of a Bell 222B executive helicopter s/n 47132 to Johannesburg-based Ancom Jet Aviation, a front for the RSA government purchasing firm Armscor. The aircraft, registered to Ancom as ZS-HMD, arrived in mid-1986 and was immediately flown to Atlas' headquarters for prototyping.

Conversion to the prototype Jakkal saw the entire interior stripped and the main cabin filled with modern military electronics equipment (targeting, countermeasures etc) and fuel tanks, including streamlined conformal tanks on the fuselage sides. Extra fuel was vital for the most radical part of the upgrade: twin Turbomeca Marboré turbojets installed at the root of the sponsons. These would allow the aircraft "boost" capability to allow short bursts of speed for rapid egress from a hostile environment and quick attacks before enemy systems would have time to react. With the twin jets the Jakkal became the first – and so far only – compound helicopter to achieve operational status.

Armament installed on the new stub wings included air-to-ground folding-fin rockets, twin podded Vektor GA-1 Rattler 20mm cannon and two Atlas V3 Kukri air-to-air missiles for self-defence on the wingtips. Armour plating was installed around the cockpit and fuel tanks for added protection from small arms fire.

To assist with long-range/loitering ops an air-to-air refuelling probe was installed on the right side of the aircraft, over the pilot's entry door. The navigator/weapons specialist received a comprehensive suite of targeting and weapons systems including an infra-red sight mounted on the roof forward of the rotor mast.

The prototype Jakkal flew for the first time on May 3 1987. It performed well, exceeding all expectations and 26 Jakkals were ordered for the SAAF, delivered by August 1990.

[Captain Canada]

Way cool ! Nice story and tres cool chopper Zac !

[pyro-manic]

Looks great! My only critique would be that the IFR probe needs to be lower down, well away from the rotors.

[KiwiZac]

Good point. It was originally straight but that would've caused issues if it encountered wires. Perhaps I can have it canted out like on an A-4...

Thanks for the kind words! I'm quite pleased with how it works with stub wings, and when armed it should really look the business!

[Hobbes]

Hah. Real-life Airwolf...

I agree about the refueling probe. Check the probes on American helicopters; they are huge extending tubes installed on the bottom of the fuselage. You'll want the coupling point to be outside the rotor arc, otherwise you'd crash the first time the drogue basket whipped around a bit.

[kerick]

You also want the probe down low on the aircraft to increase the clearance from the rotor blades.
Here's a good photo that shows it well. Maybe someone has a leftover part like this laying around they would be willing to part with. Or you could try using plastic rod or tube to make one.
Your Jakkal would look even more awesome with this!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_DVIDSHUB_-_212th_Rescue_Squadron_and_509th_Infantry_Regiment_(Airborne)_train_with_each_other_(Image_1_of_13).jpg

[Army of One]

Oh cool.....love the story.....!! You can never have to many attack helicopters....!!!!

[Librarian]

Are those Wing gunpods from a Mossie? They work beautifully . Haven't built a chopper for 30 years....very tempted.

[KiwiZac]

Are those Wing gunpods from a Mossie? They work beautifully .

Well spotted sir! 1/72 Airfix Mossie droptanks with random .50cal MGs standing in for the Rattlers, plus 1/72 Italeri KA-50 rocket thingys for the muzzles. The wings themselves are ex-Academy P-51C.

[Captain Canada]

Nice one Zac ! I've used those KA-50 rocket thingies for other uses too...the latest being lightpoles on a 144th scale boat !

[jsport]

dangerous on the dance floor...good stuff..

[chrisonord]

I am liking how this one is turning out,you gotta love helicopter gunships 
Chris