BORN OUT of “duress” from the United Nations Arms Embargo
imposed on South Africa during the 1970s, the Atlas C4M Kudu was
spawned in response to an operational requirement from the SA
Air Force for a light re-supply/medevac capability during the
Angolan conflict. With the C47-Dakota fulfilling the light
transport role and the C160/C130 aircraft fulfilling the medium
lift component, the nature of bush warfare required an even
lighter airlift capability with the specific ability to get into
and out of remote, unprepared strips. The operational
requirement, in fact, called for four different transport roles.
The first was for a cargo load of two 44-gallon drums for fuel
placements at remote locations to provide mobility to the
logistic support lines in what was then South-West Africa (now
Namibia) and Angola. The other three were for the casevac role,
a stretcher plus medic; for the transport role, four passengers,
and for the paratrooping role, six paratroopers. Contrary to
popular belief, the Atlas C4M Kudu w