Three ex-Slovak Mi-24s for Senegal Air Force
Details are finally emerging of the origin of the second-hand Mi-24Vs that the Armée de l’Air Sénégalaise (Senegalese Air Force) has recently acquired.
The first Senegalese Air Force Mi-24V, 6W-HCA, being towed out to a waiting An-124 at Lód´z, Poland, prior to delivery on February 8, 2017. A further two have also now been delivered. (Photo by WZL-1)
Poland’s Wojskowe Zak?ady Lotnicze Nr 1 (WZL-1) overhaul facility in Lód´z has been overhauling the helicopters prior to delivery and the first example, 6W-HCA, performed its acceptance flight on January 12, 2017 (see Senegalese Hind overhauled in Poland, March 2017, p20).
It was then airfreighted out of Lód´z on February 8 on board Antonov Airlines An-124 UR-82073 to Dakar-Yoff, prior toentering service. Two more, 6W-HCB and 6W-HCD, were seen at Lód´z on November 14 and August 3 respectively, being test flown prior to being delivered.
They departed Poland on November 30. It has now been discovered that all three are former Slovak Air Force examples: 6W-HCA is c/n 830708, ex Slovak 0708; 6W-HCB is c/n 730813 ex 0813; and 6W-HCD is c/n 730833, ex 0833. Despite the missing serial 6W-HCC, no further helicopters are being acquired.
These are the first Mi-24s operated by Senegal. However, two Mi-35P variants, bought direct from Russia, have been in service since 2005.
Source: By Dave Allport / AirForces Monthly – January 2018
Lina Van Rensburg (S. AFRICA XAIRFORCES Editor)
