Shrieking Gazelles

[Savoia]

Serbian Gazelles in Belgrade in 2014 (Photo: Marko Dimić)



RA-0682G as seen in Estonia on 14th April 2018


RA-0682G near St. Petersburg on 22nd April 2018


Little one asleep in RA-0682G on 22nd April 2018

I think this says something about the effectiveness of Bose headsets!

RA-0682G departing an undisclosed location near St. Petersburg on 21st April 2018

[Savoia]

SA341C G-GAZL (WA1078) as seen at Breighton in June 2006 (Photo: John Thompson)


SA341B 3D-HGZ (WA1600) as seen in Johannesburg, date unknown (Photo: S. Greer)

[Zishelix]

Nice! And one more of 3D-HGZ taken at Johannesburg in December 12th, 2013 (Photo: Stephan Rossouw)

[Savoia]

Very nice! I suppose this may have been taken at a similar time to the previous post.

[Savoia]

ALAT SA342 at Gap–Tallard Airport in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur in 2009 (Photo: André Bour)

[Rotorspot]

Russian Gazelle update

RA-1739G SA341C Gazelle HT.2, c/n 1299, was cancelled from the Russian aircraft register somewhere between 22-Mar-2018 and 25-Apr-2018. Fate is unknown.

[Zishelix]

Thanks for info, Jos!

[Zishelix]

Can't recall we already had this photo of 'Union Jack' N901B here



Photo taken during HeliDays at Gmunden-Flachberg, Austria in September 9th, 2016. (Photo: Michael Noestlinger)

[Savoia]

SA341H Soko Gazelle 12657 (cn 025) as seen in Montenegro

I-PTEC start and depart

[Savoia]

SA341B XW847 (WA1011) as seen at an unconfirmed location on 24th April 2018 but reportedly en route between Wallop and Aldergrove

GL-0007



Sadly, not so much info to accompany this shot. Perhaps taken in the Ukraine and perhaps an ex-mil bird (although she has a tailrotor driveshaft cover) but the tail strobe is always a give away. Not to be confused with another Gazelle GL-0777!

N16KH

A while back we shared some of the details surrounding the demise of N16KH, see here. Herewith a snap of the unhappy event, although thankfully, no one perished.


A downed N16KH (cn.1456) following her fall near Alpine Texas on 6th March 2003

[Savoia]

ALAT training in South Africa?

Not quite but a demonstration recently arranged by South Africa's 'Group 73' (a private military training organisation) at Pretoria's Voortrekker Monument involving SA341F2 ZU-HHP.

N37UP, up and away!

SA341G N37UP (cn.1224) departing Sassuolo Airport in Modena, April 2018

N37UP


N37UP in Italia, April 2018

YU-HMC


SA341G YU-HMC (cn.1136) as seen at Denham Aerodrome on 24th April 2018 (Photo: Jon Wickenden)

~ ~ ~

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[Savoia]

..........

[Zishelix]

Deadly Ecuadorean girl... I mean the Gazelle of course!

[Savoia]

Do you happen to know if those are antennas which are fitted to the cabin air intake scoop?

[Zishelix]

Stretched Gazelle promo leaflet

[Savoia]

The incomparable Gazelle indeed. She was the fastest for her day among the light singles. She probably remains among the quickest singles produced and may still be the fastest light single ie. discounting the Huey Cobra.

[Savoia]

SA341F2 ZU-HHP (cn 1597) as seen at Vryheid Airfield in South Africa on 28th April 2018

Owned by Eugene Couzyn, this craft was voted 'Best Warbird' at South Africa's Experimental Aircraft Association convention last weekend.



SA341B ZB672 (WA1959) as seen at Koksijde Air Base in Belgium in July 1986 (Photo: Eric Coeckelberghs)

[Zishelix]

HA-LFD with dark shaded plexiglass at Bourne Park in September 10th, 2010 (Photo: Chris England) RA-05705 since 2015.



Cool looking but probably a bit demanding to fly in twilight or low-vis conditions. G-LEDR behind.

[Savoia]

YU-HES


SA342J YU-HES (cn 1057) as seen at Stapleford in January 2012 (Photo: Martin Uzzell)

[Helipixman]

N2FW

Currently doing some research on the Gazelle population in the USA and found this photo.



Owned by Comanche Maverick Air LLc, who also own and operate many warbirds. Looks like owner was Thomas Hoyt Friedkin founder of Gulf States Toyota who sadly passed away in 2017. His son Dan Friedkin took over and the Gazelle is now operated by him through Pursuit Aviation Inc.

Interesting to note that Thomas Friedkin appeared in many films as a helicopter pilot including Blue Thunder

[Savoia]

Lovely shot Elipix!

[Helipixman]

N247CK (G-OLDH)

Here is another shot of N247CK at a different location... anyone know where this is ?



Photo from Shoot Aviation scrapbook.

[Helipixman]

May have cracked this mystery myself.... Looks like Berkeley Castle located between Bristol and Gloucester. Did a search for the castle and came up with....

Film crew descends on Berkeley Castle to film Johnny English Strikes again in 2017. Due for release October 2018. All other films at this location are period style so would not require a Gazelle.

It is Johnny English Strikes again. Its seen on the trailer on you tube

Will have to wait for film release.

[Savoia]

Well done Elipix!

Presumably though all the appearances of G-OLDH are going to be static?

[Helipixman]

Probably seeing as it still has a Declaration of no flight dated 20.4.16 and it travelled everywhere by trailer. I suppose they could do rotors running shots if there is no intention of flight.

[Rotorspot]

Gazelle 6W-SHC

A friend send me this link
http://www.seneplus.com/societe/quan...larmee-de-lair
The second half of the article mentions an accident that happened to a Senegalese Gazelle in 1983. During flight someone apparently switched off the engine, after which the helicopter landed hard and burnt out. My database only has one Gazelle in Senegal, so this must have been 6W-SHC (c/n 1025).

[Helipixman]

Agree I too only have one for Senegal 6W-SHC

Nice find

[Zishelix]

Thanks for this info, Jos! I assume #1025 was lost but had no details until now.

[Helipixman]

Gazelle in trailer for Johnny English strikes again (at about 47 seconds)

[Rotorspot]

Is that the Volta Tech Gazelle (the former G-OLDH) that was discussed on this Forum in early January 2018? 'Unconfirmed reports suggest that the recent photos of this craft were in preparation for her appearance in a film, possibly from the Kingsman franchise.'

[Helipixman]

Yes its the same one Volta Tech (G-OLDH)

The Kingsman franchise was a hunch but turns out to be Johnny English instead.

[Helipixman]

Couple of Gazelle shots



9T-HG5 one of the two SA342L Gazelles flown by Hutu pilots from Rwanda to Zaire during the civil war



F-ZKBK for Rwandan military as 10K12 c/n 2163

[Zishelix]

Wow! Pics of Rwandan Gazelles are quite difficult to find. Thanks for share Helipix!

[Savoia]

Nice one Elipix.

I believe Burundi may still have one or two Gazelles.

[Zishelix]

Qatar Emiri AF's SA342L (s/n 1940) 'QA05' as seen in 1986.

[Zishelix]

L'armee de Terre Aérospatiale SA-342M flying into the sunset (Photo: Reinier Bergsma)

[Savoia]

Very nice Zis!

[Zishelix]

Thanks but all credits for the photo should go to Mr. Bergsma

[Savoia]

SA341 XW276 cn.03 (Photo: Westland Archives)

The first British Army Gazelle.

[Zishelix]

Vintage one, indeed

Interesting to see UK considered armed version of the Gazelle.

[Savoia]

Yes, I was also surprised to see these 'preliminary' rocket launchers added so early on.

Btw, do you know which year (approx.) cn.03 was built?

[Zishelix]

#03 was built in 1968 but the specific photo was probably taken in 1970-'71 during trials at Yeovil.

[Savoia]

Frasair


Hugh Fraser's JetRanger and Gazelle (G-AYCM and G-BAZL) with McAlpine Gaz G-BBHW at Glasgow in September 1975 (Photo: Hugh McMillan)

Hugh Fraser (he of the House of Fraser who once owned Dickins & Jones, Army & Navy and Harrods) operated this JetRanger and Gazelle for a time in the mid-70's. Seen here with McAlpine's G-BBHW.

Zis may have posted something similar, in which case my apologies, and I know that I've posted a different angle of G-BBHW from this same hangar.

[Helipixman]

Couple more shots of 3D-HGZ one with a strange addition to the registration making it 3DC-HGZ ?




Photos from Helipixman Collection

[Savoia]

Nice one Elipix! Am I right in saying that the 3DC prefix designates Swazi (now eSwatini) government aircraft?

[Rotorspot]

Nice pix, with great registration. Any idea about the (rough) date of the picture?

The initial registration prefixes for Swaziland were VQ-ZI. and VQ-ZJ. from 1929 till 1971, when a change to 3D was made. I believe 3DC is the current registration prefix for Swaziland, although I do not know since when.

[Helipixman]

Sorry have no idea as to date.... found this on www.sabdi.co.za just click through the images at the top

The owner was Dr Carnie Matisonn who was CEO of this organisation.

[Savoia]

SA341C as seen at RNAS Culdrose in July 1976

Zis, do you happen to know the registration of this bird?

[Zishelix]

You know it as well
http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...=5603#post5603

[Savoia]

Ah ha .. 415 .. grazie amico !!!

[Savoia]

Yugoslav Gazelle '631' during Exercise Golija '87

[Zishelix]

Actually this is a poster from exYU military magazine 'Front' and the photo was taken at Ortijes airport near city of Mostar in early '80s. 12631 c/n 1202 was one of training machines attached to the 107. helikopterski puk (Helicopter Regiment)

[Savoia]

Grazie Zis, much appreciated.

[Zishelix]

F-GEST in another livery

[Savoia]

Very nice she looks too!

[Savoia]

SA341C G-ZZLE (cn.WA1402) ex-XX436 as seen at Abingdon on 6th May 2018 (Photo: Rob Lovesey)

CU-39 at Abingdon on 6th May 2018


SA341B G-CDNO (cn.1385) at seen at Northrepps on 6th May 2018 (Photo: Mark)


SA342J YU-HEV (cn.1393) as seen at Booker Airfield on 12th May 2018 (Photo: Brian Nichols)


Special Archives

SA341G(S) YU-HOT performing a practice auto at Stapleford

Sounds like she has some blade tape coming undone.

A secret Gazelle store

Inside 'a Gazelle hangar'


Assistance in Identifying Gazelle Location


SA341D XW852 (WA1024) at an unidentified location

No details with this photo, but the water tower and accompanying 'block' should be a give away. Can anyone identify this airfield?

[Savoia]

Mini 'GAL' at Kreuztal in Germany



SA341B ZU-RLH (WA1600) as seen at Nelspruit Airport on 12th May 2018 (Photo: Gary Shephard)

Seen here wearing new advertising titles.



SA341B ZA766 (WA1808) as seen at Salisbury Plains Training Area 8th May 2018 (Photo: Liam Daniels)


Riding 'shotgun' with BATUS in Suffied (Photo by Ryan)



BAG's to Soldier on till 2022

Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a three-year contract to support the British Army's fleet of Aérospatiale Gazelle AH1 rotorcraft under a single-source deal.

Worth £15 million ($20.3 million), the sustainment programme will see the venerable type supported until 2022 by Airbus Helicopters UK.

Although the contract contains a three-year extension clause, it could open the possibility of retiring the Gazelle fleet earlier than the previously planned date of 2025.

Earlier this year, a senior representative from the UK's Joint Helicopter Command revealed that early work had begun on identifying a replacement for the 22-strong active fleet and hinted that the process could be accelerated.

Justifying the lack of an open competition in awarding the work to Airbus Helicopters, the Ministry of Defence notes the airframer's position as the OEM for the platform.

Support of the Gazelle "can only be carried out by Airbus Helicopters UK", it says.

"This is because they hold relevant skills, technical data, drawing and design information, and are not prepared to share or licence the use of that information outside of the Airbus group of companies."

The Gazelle is operated by the Army Air Corps in the reconnaissance and battlefield liaison role.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...-least-448587/

[Zishelix]

MoD doing their best to provide proper care for the remaining Gazelle fleet.

http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...=8822#post8822
http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...=9025#post9025

[Savoia]

We hope!

The better care they take of their craft, the better the prospective re-sale value, and which truth applies to all aircraft owners. Although one is never really sure just how highly the MoD appreciates asset re-sale values!

[Fene Strong]

This will be a surprise to Airbus.........................