"Soviet Mil Design Bureau Types, NATO Designation "H.""
"That's it," Sean encouraged him. "Look for the Hind."
aplite. Hound. Hook. Hip. Haze. Havoc "Hare," said Job. "H here it is. Hind."
"Give me the gen," Sean ordered, and Job read aloud.
This flying piece of artillery ordnance, nicknamed by the Soviets Sturmovich (or hunchback), known to NATO as Hind and to the Afghan rebels and many others who have encountered it in the field as the "flying death," has gained a formidable reputation which is perhaps not fully justified.
Sean interrupted fervently, "Brother, I hope you know what you're talking about."
Job went on.
1. Impaired maneuverability, hovering, and rate-of-climb characteristics as a consequence of the mass of its armor plating.
2. A limited range of 240 nautical miles fully loaded, again as a consequence of its armor weight.
3. A low max. speed of 157 knots and cruise speed of 147 knots.
4. Very high service and ground maintenance requirements.
"That's interesting," Sean cut in. "Even this big baby"-he patted the Hercules" control column-"is faster than a Hind. I'll remember that if we meet one."
"Do you want me to read to you?" Job asked. "If so, then shut up and listen."
"My apologies, go ahead."
It is estimated that several hundred machines of this type have been employed in Afghanistan. Generally they have met with great success against the rebels, although in excess of 150 have been destroyed by rebel troops armed with the Stinger SAM.
These figures alone prove that the Hind can be effectively engaged by the Stinger SAM System, employing the tactics set out in the following chapters.
Job read on, giving the engine type and performance, the weapons, and other statistics until at last Sean stopped him.
"Hold on, Job!" Sean pointed toward the east. "It is getting light."
The sky was pale enough to form a distinct horizon where it met the black landmass.
"Put the book away and go call Ferdinand up here. See if he can recognize where we are and show us the way home."
A strong odor of vomit surrounded Ferdinand as he stumbled onto the flight deck, and the front of his tunic was stained. He leaned on the back of the pilot's seat for support, and Sean moved to put as much distance between them as possible.
"Look out there, Ferdinand." Sean gesticulated through the bullet-punctured canopy. "Do you see anything you recognize The Shangane peered dubiously around him, muttering 9100mfly. Suddenly his expression cleared and lightened. "Those hills."
He pointed out the side window. "Yes, I know them. The river comes out between them at a waterfall."
"Which way is the camp?"
"That way, far that way."
"How far?"
"Two full days" march."
"Seventy nautical miles, Sean translated time into distance.
We aren't too far out. Thank you, Ferdinand." Sean broke out of the monotonous figure-eight pattern and leveled the Hercules" gigantic wings.
Still low against the forest, he flew westward, the direction in which Ferdinand had pointed, while behind them the dawn came on apace, turning the eastern sky a hazy carmine. They chased the shades of night as they fled across the dark hills.
Sean aimed the nose of the Hercules at the gap Ferdinand had pointed out and checked his wristwatch against the panel clock.
"Time for News Desk on the Africa Service of the BBC," he said, and fiddled with the radio controls. He picked up the familiar signature tune on 15,400 megahertz.
"This is the BBC. Here again are the news headlines. In the United States, Governor Michael Dukakis has convincingly carried the state of New York against Jesse Jackson in his bid for the Democratic Party presidential nomination. Israeli troops have shot dead two more protesters in the occupied Gaza Strip. One hundred and twenty passengers have died in an airline crash in the Philippines. Renamo rebels have high jacked an R.A.F Hercules transport from a ZimbabFean Air Force base near the town of Umtali. They have flown' it into Mozambique, where it is being pursued by aircraft " oF the Zimbabwean and Mozambican air forces. A spokesman said that both President Mugabe and President Chissano have given orders that the aircraft, which has no hostages on board but which contains sophisticated modern weapons intended for use against the rebels, is to be destroyed at all costs."
Sean switched off the set and smiled across at Job. "You never thought you'd make the news headlines, did you?"
"I can do without the fame," Job admitted. "Did you get the bit about being pursued and destroyed at all costs?"
The Hercules was fast approaching the gap in the fine of hills The light had strengthened so that Sean could make out the pearly gleam in the throat of the pass where the river tumbled down over wet black rock.
"Incoming!" Job yelled suddenly. "One o'clock low!"
With his extraordinary eyesight, he had picked it up an instant before Sean did. The Hind had been lying in ambush, squatting like some monstrous insect in a hidden clearing in the forest, guarding the entrance to the river pass.
As Sean saw it, he clearly understood the tactics Frelimo had used to cut him off from the Renamo lines. They would have sent the full squadron of Hinds in during the night, as soon as they guessed where he was headed.