Aircraft delivered October 1978 to Rhodesia
Eleven AB.205A obtained covertly and delivered in crates in August 1978. The first was assembled and flew in October 1978. These helicopter were fitted with armour plating and machine guns. Used by 8 Sqn for the troop transport role. The survivors were put up for sale in 1990. Apparently, 13 new AB.205s had been ordered by a customer in Kuwait, on behalf of the Rhodesian Air Force. The new helicopters were delivered via Lebanon, where the local Christian Militia took the opportunity to swap them for 11(12?) worn-out ex-Israeli Air Force machines, before shipping them on to southern Africa. Rhodesian Air Force engineers had a great deal of work to do before the helicopters could enter service. 
Units |
| Years | Units | Base |
|---|---|---|
| 1978- | 8 Sq | |
| 7 Sq |  ChicoaKariba Hwange Town Harare International | |
List of Aircraft |
| C/N | Mod | Built | ID In this Org | In other Org | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4035 | ab205a | 8600 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rhodesia; 2006 str South Africa | |||||
| 4036 w/o 1982 | ab205a | 6801 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rhodesia; w/o 14apr82 | |||||
| 4037 w/o unknown | ab205a | 6082 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rhodesia; w/o unk | |||||
| 4039 | ab205a | 6038 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rhodesia; 2006 str South Africa | |||||
| 4040 w/o 1980 | ab205a | 6084 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rodhesia; w/o 06jan80 | |||||
| 4042 | ab205a | 6805 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rodhesia; 2006 str South Africa | |||||
| 4047 | ab205a | 8606 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rodhesia |  733: Royal Air Force of Oman, ex ZAF 8606 - VH-UEI: Australia from Jun18 | ||||
| 4049 w/o 1979 | ab205a | 6807 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rodhesia; w/o 10feb79 | |||||
| 4050 | ab205a | 6088 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rodhesia | |||||
| 4051 w/o 1979 | ab205a | 6098 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rodhesia; w/o 03sep79 | |||||
| 4052 | ab205a | 6180 Zimbabwe airforce d/d Oct78 Rodhesia | 732: Royal Air Force of Oman, ex ZAF 6180 | ||||
