Description
Planet Models 1/72 Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer. Similar to version used by SAAF and training schools in South Africa.
Pilatus PC-7 Full resin kit of a trainer aircraft. Kit contains vacu canopy and decals for Dutch and Swiss aircraft.
South Africa uses the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Astra as its primary military trainer, known for its ruggedness and aerobatic capability, forming the backbone for training SAAF pilots and flown by the elite Silver Falcons aerobatic team, with about 60 ordered and seeing service since the mid-1990s for ab-initio training and advanced skills, despite some incidents and fleet management issues over the years.
Key Details:
Role: Primary ab-initio (initial) pilot training for the South African Air Force (SAAF).
Variant: The specific model used is the PC-7 Mk II Astra, an upgraded version of the original PC-7, featuring a larger cockpit and better avionics.
Performance: A high-performance turboprop, capable of G-loads up to +7/-3.5 G, making it suitable for aerobatics.
Operators: Used by the Central Flying School and by the Silver Falcons aerobatic team.
Fleet: The SAAF ordered around 60 aircraft, with deliveries starting in 1994, and they have been in service since.
