Shrieking Gazelles

[Savoia]

D-HAAF


SA341G D-HAAF (cn. 1111) as seen at Stuttgart Airport on 10th September 1993 (Photo: Ray Barber)

Hopefully this craft will re-emerge in the times ahead.

[Savoia]

ZU-RZR


SA342L ZU-RZR (1854) in flight in South Africa

705 Squadron


Royal Navy Sharks at RAF Chivenor in July 1984

[Savoia]

Marines & ALAT


SA341B XX412 (WA1362) as seen at RAF Chivenor in August 1984


SA341F BDK (1388) as seen at Liège-Bierset on 12th May 2007 (Photo: Alex van Noye)

[Savoia]

SA341G(S) F-GEQA (1274) NFI now flying as N71FR (Photo: Zishelix)

Go to original post.

[Savoia]

SA341G(S) N901B (cn.1410) as seen at Breighton Airfield on 7th January 2018 (Photo by Jez)



SA341G 2-WMAN (cn.1277) as seen at Breighton Airfield on 5th November 2017 (Photo by Jez)

With our great thanks to 'Jez' for these supa shots from Breighton! Grazie mille Jez !!!

Some will notice that I have assigned the Avia-name 'Jenni' to 2-WMAN. Given her registration (which could be read as an abbreviation for 'two women') I wanted to find something that might represent this. Other factors were that this 'girl' (1277) has French connections and that her owner is domiciled in the UK. The obvious choice therefore seemed to be the British comedy duo French and Saunders. Jenni being taken from Saunders' first name!

[Savoia]

Ha ha, grazie Stefano, I'm sure it is!

[Rotorspot]

According to the publicly available Guernsey aircraft register the owner's name is James Wightman.

[Savoia]

Grazie Jos! 'Jonathan Ross accent on': I'd say that is pwobably Wight!

[Savoia]

Treat yourself to a copy of Filippo's highly informative book ..

Helicopter Principles of Flight



Available today from the FlightStore

Check out other great helicopter training resources via the button below

[Savoia]

SA341B over San Carlos in the Falkland Islands NFI

Possibly a 3CBAS Marines bird?

[Savoia]

SA341B XX449 (WA1443) with Chinook ZH904 as seen at Salisbury Plains Training Area on 18th January 2018


SA341B ZB692 (WA2007) as seen at Salisbury Plains Training Area on 18th January 2018

[Savoia]

Iraqi 342









The date I have for these shots is 2016 NFI

[Fene Strong]

Just need a couple of hours and it will be ready for airtest.....

[Savoia]

'Just need a couple of hours and it will be ready for airtest...'

[Zishelix]

Interesting pics, thanks Sav.

Ah, we can only imagine how many Iraqi Gazelles ended up in dust

[Savoia]

SA342J 2-WILD (1695) as seen at Brasschaat Air Base on 17th September 2017 (Photo: Luc Barry)


SA341B G-HSDL (WA1227) as seen at Ysgol Glan Clwyd school in Denbighshire, Wales (Date unknown)


SA342M as seen in Sevare, Mali on 28th January 2013


Iraqi Defence Forces SA342 Iraq NFI

[Zishelix]

G-BAZL at Greenham Common in July 7th, 1974



Photo courtesy of Aviaforan XB.

[Savoia]

Nice one XB/Zis!

A flashback from page 15:


Twyford Moors Helicopters SA341G Westland Gazelle (cn WA1073) G-BAZL as seen at Southampton Heliport in 1974
(Photo: Barry Friend)

"Bazil" seen here receiving some pre-flight maintenance!

[Zishelix]

Nice one

[Zishelix]

SA-341F c/n 1337 as Gate Guard at ALAT base Pau in January 2015 (Photo: Philippe Boulay)

[Savoia]

UK MoD Hastens to Abandon the Trusty Gazelle

Initial work is under way to replace the British Army's active fleet of 22 elderly Aérospatiale Gazelle AH1 helicopters, as the venerable type nears retirement.

"We do have plans to replace the Gazelle," says Air Commodore Al Smith, who holds the post of Capability Air Manoeuvre at the UK's Joint Helicopter Command. "It hinges on operational outputs so the customer gets the same or better product," he adds, noting: "I think we can probably do better than we do today."

Smith, speaking at the Defence IQ International Military Helicopter conference in London on 31 January, declined to reveal the platform under consideration, or the timeline for any acquisition. The latter is driven by the out-of-service date for the Gazelle, which could be accelerated from a current target of 2025 if the type becomes more costly to support due to a shortage of spare parts.


The UK's MoD are seeking to hasten their abandonment of the Army's Gazelle helicopter despite her sterling service record

Employed by the Army Air Corps in the reconnaissance and battlefield liaison role, the Gazelle also relies on a pool of what Smith describes as "really highly trained" flightcrew, who are used to operating as a single pilot in "quite challenging weather conditions".

"How much longer do we want to rely [on those crews]… and at what point do we want technology to reduce that workload?" asks Smith.

A replacement programme is unlikely to be a like-for-like acquisition: thanks to advances in technology, Smith believes that a similar or better capability could be provided with a smaller number of platforms.

"Looking at the number of Gazelles, we think we can deliver a customer product with significantly fewer than we have today," he says.

An acquisition process has also begun for the Royal Air Force's Boeing CH-47 Chinook fleet. This is "still in the assessment phase" says Smith, but stresses that the UK armed forces "need heavy lift".

Any future purchase will be a "manned platform", he says, with the Ministry of Defence likely to wait until the arrival of the enhanced Block II version of the Chinook in 2023.

While no decision has been taken on whether to acquire more Chinooks or another type, Smith notes: "There are not that many competitors out there."

In addition, a part of any future Chinook purchase could include the MH-47G variant for special forces operations, Smith confirms.

"If Block II were the answer… then the MH is an attractive option, because it offers some capabilities that some of the others don't," he notes.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...effort-445376/

[Savoia]

Anyone care to offer any opinions on the comments in bold?

NEWS TIPS REQUEST: Last year Aviafora was informed that there were potentially three consortiums, one in Russia, one in South Africa and one in the UK, who were positioning themselves to bid for the acquisition of the upcoming disposal of Gazelles from the British Army. So far it appears as if the UK and South African rumours may be correct, but we would appreciate any additional information that any of our readers may have to offer. If you do not wish to post your comments in person online then you can email your news tips to: aviafora1@gmail.com

Grazie

[Fene Strong]

The MoD i believe had the opportunity to buy additional 135's and 145's off the back of the MFTS contract at favorable rates, with modern aircraft you can do the same tasks as the Gazelle with half the aircraft due to not having to have lots in different role configurations, that combined with not having to have separate refresher courses would save a lot of money. Although the Gazelle has an OSD of 2025 i would be surprised if it makes 2 more years.

[Savoia]

SA342L KAF-523 (1379) as seen at Kuwait International Airport on 19th January 2018 (Oleksiy Naumov)



Syriac SA342L as seen at Kweres Airbase, Ayria on 16th October 2017

Gazelle Viviane departure

[Savoia]

The X-Craft is for Sale!

The sale of the X-Craft represents a rare opportunity to acquire a truly spectacular example of the Gazelle, one which possesses a fine pedigree and is offered in pristine condition.

The X-Craft has been maintained to the highest possible standards and with outstanding care and attention to detail. This stunning helicopter is being offered with a comprehensive specification package.

To find out more about this unique acquisition opportunity, visit Gazelles for Sale.

Gazelle for sale Gazelle helicopter for sale sa341 for sale sa341g for sale sa341 gazelle for sale sa342 for sale gazelle helicopter for sale sa341f for sale

[md600driver]

Anyone care to offer any opinions on the comments in bold?

NEWS TIPS REQUEST: Last year Aviafora was informed that there were potentially three consortiums, one in Russia, one in South Africa and one in the UK, who were positioning themselves to bid for the acquisition of the upcoming disposal of Gazelles from the British Army. So far it appears as if the UK and South African rumours may be correct, but we would appreciate any additional information that any of our readers may have to offer. If you do not wish to post your comments in person online then you can email your news tips to: aviafora1@gmail.com
Grazie

I think you will find quite a few potential buyers for ex-UK MoD helicopters. It will all depend on how the UK government want to dispose of them; piecemeal or in one lot.

The UK government have a history of not wanting to make a profit out of selling ex-military Gazelle assets, and so they sell them in one lot at a far lower price per item than if they were to sell them separately.

[Savoia]

Stefano wrote: 'The UK government have a history of not wanting to make a profit out of selling ex-military Gazelle assets ..'

Ha ha, bow benevolent of them!

I'm sure its a matter of simply wanting to get 'rid' of them with as little fuss as possible, and which throws up an opportunity for those who can see a customer base for these craft, and from what I understand, this is influenced by the state of the economy within the prospective destination markets.

Acquiring a Gaz below half a mil (and more commonly for ex-warbirds at or around 300k GBP, sometimes less), is certainly within the reach of a number of people with an interest in this area, but add a decade of operating costs for the same bird and you could be looking (in some cases) at four times this amount in maintenance and spares alone. Again, not a problem for some, but much depends where the economy goes.

The UK is beginning to discover that the 'magnificent' EU wasn't the all-embracing lovefest it was cracked up to be, and with 'Theresa the Appeaser' at the helm (much as I am sure she is a pleasant person) Britain is in a precarious position where she looks set neither to 'benefit' from EU membership nor from the opportunities of being unshackled from the EU's oppressive constraints.

If the UK is going to leave, then she should leave, and let there be a leader with a crystal clear vision of how best to harness this opportunity. For me this would mean making available a raft of incentives to SME's for the purpose of enabling British-based businesses to become ultra-competitive, both domestically and abroad, thus re-energising what historically has always been the UK's economic engine.

For what its worth, we need exactly the same in Italy, and which I am praying for.

Well, that's my tuppence worth, plus I managed to get in a mini-rant!

[Savoia]

GAZELLES DOWN - SOUTHERN FRANCE

Two SA342M Gazelle helicopters from the French School of Light Army Aviation (L'École de l'aviation légère de l'Armée de terre - EALAT) collided at approximately 07:30 GMT this morning over Lac de Carcès near Brignoles in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southestern France.

The accident claimed the lives of all involved, an instructor and student in one aircraft, together with an instructor and two students in another.

Helicopters from EALAT's Cannet-des-Maures base (from where the Gazelles departed) as well as from the Gendarmerie and Sécurité Civile, were involved in the response together with numerous ground-based emergency service personnel.

Four of the deceased were recovered from the wreckage of the aircraft, while a fifth was found among nearby trees. Debris from the accident is said to be strewn across two areas. Unconfirmed reports suggest the Gazelles were on a training exercise which involved flying in formation.

AN.

Crash site location


A Gendarmerie EC135 attending the crash site this morning


The EALAT base at le Cannet-des-Maures from where the Gazelles were tasked

Scenes from the crash site

News report (in French)

[Zishelix]

Oh, no! Such terrible news

[Fene Strong]

Sad news indeed, i was up the road in Marignane that day.

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

French Army Begins Definition Work on Gazelle Replacement

The French army has begun early definition work with Airbus Helicopters on the H160M's it will obtain as part of its tri-service procurement.

In March 2017 the developmental H160M was selected to form the basis of France's hélicoptère interarmées léger (HIL) programme, splitting 160-190 rotorcraft between the air force, army and navy to replace a sizeable fleet of aged types. Deliveries were due to start in 2024, but this is likely to be pushed back when France publishes its defence spending plan later this year.

In the army's case, the H160Ms will be used to replace around 80 Aérospatiale SA342 Gazelles, which are employed in an armed scout role.

The exact split between the three services is yet to be determined, but Lt Gen Michel Grintchenko, head of French army aviation, says he is "confident that we will get a like-for-like replacement".

In addition, Grintchenko, speaking at the Defence IQ International Military Helicopter conference in London on 31 January, said he had a "box full of ideas" for how to employ the new aircraft, which will be bigger than the Gazelle, and take advantage of the greater range and endurance offered.

Potential roles include medevac, armed scout, and command and control, says Grintchenko.

Col Pierre Verborg, head of operations at French army aviation, says the H160M will be able to carry five to six troops.

It will be armed with two 7.62mm door-mounted machine guns, as well as a larger 20mm gun and TDA Armements Aculeus laser-guided rockets.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...ed-sco-445463/

[Savoia]

..............

[Savoia]

RAF & Army Archives


RAF SA341D ZB627 (WA1914) as seen at RAF Brize Norton in 1993

Now flying with the Gazelle Squadron as G-CBSK.


AAC SA341B XX383 (WA1268) as seen at Groninger Airport, Eelde, Netherlands in April 1984 (Photo: Marnius Tabak)

[Savoia]

G-SFTH, most likely at the SFT hangar in Cumbria, date unknown

I have received this blurry image of G-SFTH (cn.1155) which shows her with pop-out floats fitted - and I am wondering whether the bags on the left are a set of inflated pop-outs?

No details with this photo, but from the cache posted by Nosco earlier in this thread, it looks to be the SFT stable at Cumbria, for it seems they built that hangar without skylights?

Hopefully Nosco will be able to confirm some details as well as the approximate year of this shot.

I am wondering about the circular sticker on this craft and whether perhaps she was being leased out by SFT?

This Gaz evidently became HA-LFC.

[noscoavia]

G-SFTH photo.

I would date the photo as early/mid 1985, inside the SFT Carlisle Hangar. The inflated floats, are indeed 341 pop-outs.
The decal might be a graphic for Blades Helicopters, then Hurn based.

[Savoia]

Grazie Nosco, much appreciated!

I keep confusing my Carlisles with my Cumbrias!

[Savoia]

SA341G(S) N901B (cn.1410) as seen at Breighton Aerodrome on 4th February 2018 (Photo by Jez)

[Savoia]

AAC & AdT


ZB665 and at unknown location with what appears to be an interesting panel modification


SA342 Viviane ground run in Mali

[Zishelix]

Nice drawing of JA9098



More pics of the same Gaz here

[Zishelix]

Another view of N901B from her visit to Breighton Aerodrome on February 4th, 2018 (Photo: Dave Marshall)

[Savoia]

Very nice Zis!

[Zishelix]

The Importance of Proper Maintenance!

[Savoia]

So important indeed!

[Zishelix]

A door sign courtesy of HAI!

[Savoia]

Hmm .. I shall have to speak to Matt about developing some more 'helicopter pilot friendly' slogans!

[Zishelix]

ZU-HBH crew training for Anti-Poaching missions



Great jobs guys!

[Savoia]

Always nice to see dogs working with heli-crews!

http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...=8860#post8860

[Zishelix]

And the dog probably think 'Oh sh***, these guys are nuts'

[Savoia]

I am sure they are thinking something like that.

Which makes me wonder what our Italain dogs are thinking when asked to do this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFmYaO6Ixdw

[Savoia]

SA341G RA-2520G (cn. 1034) ex-I-LDAV hover and landing in Vladivostok

[Zishelix]

Nice looking machine. Let's hope some of our Russian friends will post more pics of their Gazelles here.

[Savoia]

We now have four Russian Gazelle owners reading Shrieking Gazelles (that we know of). Regarding the colour scheme, it seems a bit plain to me, but there we are.