Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Shrieking Gazelles

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts



  • SA342J(S) N342ET (cn.1058) as seen at Courchevel in June 2019

    Comment




    • Ukrainian Gazelle Showcases Contemporary Instrument Panel












      Unidentified modified Gazelle as seen in the Ukraine on 1st August 2019


      XB, does it look to you as if the nose section (covering the battery access) has been widened?

      Also, what are your thoughts about the new instrument panel and switches?


      Comment


      • xbdt
        xbdt commented
        Editing a comment
        The air vent is wider, also they seem to use a smaller lithium battery (1st picture). They did lots of cosmetic work like the glass covering the whole doors and interior finishing. I prefer the std gazelle to be honest.

      • Savoia
        Savoia commented
        Editing a comment
        Yes I hear what you're saying and I too prefer to keep such aircraft as close as possible to their original configuration. Nevertheless, interesting to see this variation.







    • SA341G F-GDXX (cn.1262) as seen in the 1990's

      Unfortunately we do not have a location for these shots.

      Comment




      • SA342MV with SA342L during 'Exercise Tafilalet' in Morocco in 2009

        Comment






        • SA341G N64ZZ (cn.1035) as seen in Costigliole d'Asti on 2nd August 2019 (Photo by Fabio)

          N64ZZ now seen with her blades attached. This aircraft is currently for sale on the GazMart




          A digital Egyptian Gazelle




          SA341B XZ329 (WA1648) G-BZYD as seen in July 2019

          Perhaps Carlo can help us with a date and location for this sortie.

          Comment




          • Ross Aviation Buys Former ETPS Gazelle Spares Stock



            After supporting the MoD's Empire Test Pilot's School (Qinetiq) Gazelle fleet for the last 15 years, we are pleased to announce that Ross Aviation has successfully purchased the spare parts inventory for these aircraft.

            This stock includes most major dynamic components such as main rotor heads, main gearboxes, intermediate and tail rotor gearboxes as well as clutch and freewheel units. Alongside dynamic components, the inventory includes a large range of new consumable items as well as tooling and ground support equipment.

            This significant purchase allows for Ross Aviation to continue to support the Gazelle for the foreseeable future.

            If you have any military Gazelle spare part requirements, please contact us at:

            info@ross-aviation.co.uk
            http://www.ross-aviation.co.uk/ross-...azelle-spares/

            Comment










            • SA341G(S) N901B (cn.1410) as seen at Breighton Aerodrome on 3rd August 2019 (Photos by Stefano)

              901 seen here after having had sliding windows fitted to her doors.




              SA341G N64ZZ (cn.1035) as seen in Costigliole d'Asti on 4th August 2019 (Video by Fabio)

              'ZZ' finally takes to the skies!

              Congratulazioni Fabio!


              G-CBJZ






              SA341D G-CBJZ (WA1734) as seen in the Netherlands in August 2019 (Photos by Andreas Hoffmann)

              This ex-RAF bird seems to be moving without problems between Germany, Holland and elsewhere. Perhaps there is a 'way' for ex-mil birds to 'navigate' some of the cross-country restrictions?




              SA341B RA-05709 (WA1184) as seen at her home hangar in Bratsk in August 2019




              SA341G N341ZL (cn.1262) as seen Stateside in July/August 2019

              Comment


              • SA341G N341DT (cn.1110) as seen on August 4th 2019


                Comment


                • Savoia
                  Savoia commented
                  Editing a comment
                  This is lovely XB, grazie mille!



              • SA341G(S) YU-HEY (cn.1320) as seen in the UK in August 2019 (Photo by Will Fewkes)

                What the hey! Clearly making hay while the sun shines!

                Still waiting on a location for this shot, but possibly near St. Albans.




                SA341F2 ZU-RMD (cn.1523) as seen near the Drakensburg mountains in South Africa in June 2019

                Early morning ballooning in South Africa.

                Comment


                • Originally posted by dunstan View Post
                  Advice please.

                  We have a US based SA313 and are wanting to verify which oils are applicable for use in the gearboxes and clutch.

                  We want to use Air 3525 Mineral Royco 680.

                  XB, Stefano .. others, Avia member Dunstan has posted this query on Alouettes & Lamas, could you assist please.

                  Grazie

                  Comment


                  • md600driver
                    md600driver commented
                    Editing a comment
                    I have replied on the Lama thread.

                  • Savoia
                    Savoia commented
                    Editing a comment
                    Grazie mille!



                • SA341C XZ939 (WA1750) as seen at Bourne Park in July 2019


                  Gaz being prepared at Bourne Park in July 2019




                  SA341G(S) N901B (cn.1410) as seen at Breighton in May 2019 (Photo by Kevin Mape)

                  Comment




                • SA342J HA-LFH (cn.1775) as seen during maintenance at Church Fenton in August 2019 (Photo: Adriano)




                  SA342L1 F-MGET as seen at Aéroport de Valence-Chabeuil on 24th June 2018 (Photo by Laurent Quérité)

                  Comment




                  • SA341G G-BAGJ (WA1039) as seen landing by the Thames in London in the 1970's

                    This photo has me stumped. It doesn't appear to be Battersea, the photo is too early for the Trig Lane City Helistop which opened in 1980, and which leaves Somerton-Rayner's heli-barge next to the Oxo Tower Wharf!

                    However, this matter can be easily resolved if anyone recognises the bridge in this photo or indeed the distinctive building behind it.

                    Comment


                    • Helipixman
                      Helipixman commented
                      Editing a comment
                      That seems to be just to the East of Hungerford Bridge (leading to Charing Cross) on the south bank of the Thames pretty close to where Festival Pier is located. Think the building behind is the Horse Guards Building !

                    • Savoia
                      Savoia commented
                      Editing a comment
                      Bravo Elipix! That is indeed the Hungerford railway bridge (before the addition of the Golden Jubilee pedestrian bridges which flank the original structure) and you are again right in that the building behind it is now the Royal Horseguards Hotel.

                      This places G-BAGJ in the location of the Festival Pier adjacent to the Royal Festival Hall. Perhaps Michael Somerton-Rayner's barge camped there for a little time prior to moving to the nearby Oxo Tower Wharf?



                  • SA342MV's F-MGAM & F-MGAL over Lebanon in June 2019


                    3RHC Puma and Gazelle with Lebanese Puma and Gazelle in Lebanon in June 2019

                    From May 31st to June 28th, a detachment of 3RHC aircraft composed of two Gazelles and two Pumas participated in exercise 'Blue Cedar' aboard the amphibious helicopter carrier Dixmude. This was a joint exercise with the Lebanese Air Force and involved transport as well as live-fire exercises.




                    SA341D G-EZZL (WA1104) as seen at the Ettington Park Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon in 2013 (Photo by Dave Haines)


                    Remember to like (and also to follow) Avia's Facebook page:

                    Comment




                    • Royal Moroccan Air Force SA342L CN-ACA (cn.1892) in Morocco NFI




                      SA342L F-MAML (cn.1558) as seen in Ambrì, Switzerland in 1996 (Photo by Paul Schaller)




                      SA341D G-BXTH (WA1120) as seen in Brampton, Cumbria on 4th October 2012 (Photo by David Ambridge)

                      Comment




                      • Unmarked Camouflaged Gazelles Sighted in Mozambique

                        Unmarked Gazelle helicopters painted in military camouflage have been spotted in Mozambique, with speculation they may be used for security missions by a private military contractor.

                        According to Mozambican weekly publication Savana, two Gazelles were seen in Pemba on 6 August. They did not have any insignia or other markings, but were painted in camouflage colours consistent with that of French Army Gazelles, indicating they may be ex-French examples.


                        These Gazelles were sighted in Pemba, Mozambique on 6th August 2019

                        Savana reports that the crew were eight men in their forties wearing tan shirts and camouflage pants. It published pictures showing several white males with the helicopters.

                        “Aeronautical officials declined to comment on the presence of the helicopters in Pemba and one of the multinationals operating in the gas area said the aircraft were not part of its security operation,” Savana reported.

                        The publication speculated the aircraft could have been acquired to combat terrorists operating in Cabo Delgado.

                        Jasmine Opperman, African director at the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium and an analyst at the Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism, noted that the arrival of the Gazelles comes at a time of further attacks in Mozambique, with a dozen people apparently killed in several unconfirmed incidents.

                        Islamic State recently claimed responsibility for attacks in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s most northern province, according to SITE Intelligence.

                        According to the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the upsurge in brutal violence in northern Mozambique, including the beheadings of women and children, has sounded alarms that a violent jihadist movement like Boko Haram or al-Shabaab could be evolving.

                        Those allegedly responsible for the attacks apparently call themselves Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jamâ (often abbreviated to al-Sunnah).
                        https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospa...in-mozambique/


                        Comment




                        • SA342L1 YU-HFF (cn.155) in Serbia NFI




                          SA341C G-DFKI (WA1216) NFI (Photo by Elipix)




                          SA341B XZ332 (WA1661) as seen at Middle Wallop with Bell 47 (Westland Sioux) NFI

                          Comment




                          • G-CDNO Joins the Crabtree Stable




                            SA341B G-CDNO (WA1385) as seen at Breighton Airfield on 11th August 2019 (Photos by Stefano)

                            This has to be Stefano's most colourful Gazelle to-date!

                            Unidentified Gaz


                            EC130, SA341, EC120 (Photo by Cornell Grove)


                            SA341 panel (Photo by Cornell Grove)

                            I have requested from Cornell for some additional details regarding his Gaz.

                            Comment


                            • Rotorspot
                              Rotorspot commented
                              Editing a comment
                              The EC120B is c/n 1207, making it ZS-RZZ. The EC130B4 looks like 3740, making it ZS-RRP. So, I conclude that the picture was taken in South Africa.

                            • Helipixman
                              Helipixman commented
                              Editing a comment
                              I agree South Africa, Cornell Grove is the Sales Executive for Money Aviation, Lanseria. My guess is the Gazelle could be ZU-HBH (I think the only black one with that tail fin light)

                            • Savoia
                              Savoia commented
                              Editing a comment
                              Grazie amici! South Africa for sure and quite probably ZU-HBH as Elipix has suggested.

                              Congratulations to Stefano on the latest addition to the Crabtree stable!



                          • New Gazelle for the Gazelle Squadron

                            G-CLHO Westland 341D Gazelle HT.3 (1743) ex-XZ936 has been registered to The Gazelle Squadron Display Team, 7.8.19

                            Comment


                            • Savoia
                              Savoia commented
                              Editing a comment
                              Great to see the Gaz Squad growing.



                          • SA341G ZU-RLU (cn.1097) as seen at Bloemfontein New Tempe Airport on 5th August 2019 (Photo by Ian van der Linde)




                            SA341G N341DT (cn.1110) NFI (Photo by Patrick Gisle)

                            Hopefully XB can recall where and when this shot was taken. If it helps, then it appears as if the fuselage is reflecting a yellow field!

                            Comment


                            • xbdt
                              xbdt commented
                              Editing a comment
                              Highly probably LFOU on 03 jun 2018

                            • Savoia
                              Savoia commented
                              Editing a comment
                              Grazie mille XB!

                          • Originally posted by Savoia View Post
                            Grazie amici! South Africa for sure and quite probably ZU-HBH as Elipix has suggested.

                            Congratulations to Stefano on the latest addition to the Crabtree stable!

                            It’s not HBH.

                            Comment


                            • Savoia
                              Savoia commented
                              Editing a comment
                              Grazie Stefano. If you find out which bird it is, please let us know.



                          • SA341G D-HOYE (cn.1043) as seen at Oedheim Heliport in Germany on 24th April 1973 (Photo by Mike Shakocius)




                            SA341B XZ329 (W1648) as seen at Redhill Aerodrome on 9th August 2019 (Photo by Ali Maddock)

                            Comment




                            • Unidentified Gazelle Sighted in Lichtenau, Germany


                              This Gazelle was sighted in Lichtenau, Saxony, Germany on Tuesday 13th August 2019

                              Anyone with any guesses as to which Gaz this could be, please let us know.




                              SA341G(S) 2-PJBA (cn.1392) as seen at Solent Airport on 15th August 2019

                              Comment


                              • xbdt
                                xbdt commented
                                Editing a comment
                                Looks like ex UK mil bird. SA341B or C.

                              • Savoia
                                Savoia commented
                                Editing a comment
                                Grazie XB! Surely we will discover her identity soon enough.

                                It will be interesting to see if in the future EASA offer some sort of 'exemption' for ex-military Gazelles to fly without border restrictions across EASAland.

                              • Helipixman
                                Helipixman commented
                                Editing a comment
                                We are lucky this Gazelle survived the transport.

                                The unidentified Gazelle photo was taken in a service station called Auerswalder View on the Autobahn 4 between Chemnitz and Frankenberg. It was stopped by German Police as a result of the tail of the helicopter swaying to the side. On further inspection the trailer had a defective axle and a bald tyre and the Gazelle was not properly secured.

                                The driver was prohibited from driving any further and the company responsible notified.

                                Wonder where this Gazelle ended up, hopefully safely.




                            • Aviafora's Association with the Guernsey Register

                              It was one of Aviafora's members who became the first person to place a helicopter on the Guernsey register and which was a Gazelle. In recognition of this, we periodically publish the complete list of helicopters on the Guernsey register. Registry info courtesy of Avia member Rotorspot.



                              Comment


                              • Helipixman
                                Helipixman commented
                                Editing a comment
                                There should be another addition G-SCII Agusta 109C. This was de-registered 10.7.19 and is rumoured to become 2-SCII.

                              • Savoia
                                Savoia commented
                                Editing a comment
                                Grazie Elipix, hopefully the team in Guernsey will add this to their next update.

                            • Can anyone tell me what the indicated lever is and it's purpose? Not all Gazelles seem to have this. Thanks for any help.

                              Comment


                              • xbdt
                                xbdt commented
                                Editing a comment
                                Lever to the rear locks the left side of the flexible plate under the MGB to minimise chances of ground resonance while landing. The lever FWD unlocks the pin on the left releasing the shock absorber function for flight. This is only for Gazelles equipped with the rigid gear type.

                                To see what the onset of ground resonance looks like in a Gazelle, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vICf8l-KV0

                              • goose814
                                goose814 commented
                                Editing a comment
                                I see. So the Gazelles with this lever have the flex plate for the rigid gear, which also have dampers installed on the rear skids. Got it. Thanks very much.

                            • The lockout pin for the Barbeque (MGB mount) plate on earlier 341G's.

                              Comment






                              • SA342L ZU-RMY (cn.5011) near Roodeplaat in South Africa, August 2019 (Photo by Natalie Gardner)

                                This is an ex-Ecuadorian Army SA342L.




                                Externally stored 342's as seen at Valence-Chabeuil Airport in France in July 2019 (Photo by Erwin Alexander)




                                Gaz Squad Gazelles as seen at Eastbourne on 18th August 2019 (Photo by Michelle Rhodes)

                                Comment


                                • xbdt
                                  xbdt commented
                                  Editing a comment
                                  Externally stored 341's not 342.

                                • Savoia
                                  Savoia commented
                                  Editing a comment
                                  Okay, grazie mille.











                              • For further details on these and other Gazelles, click on the logo below

                                Comment


                                • Helipixman
                                  Helipixman commented
                                  Editing a comment
                                  Interesting to note that Witham only seem to be auctioning one Gazelle XW899 ! They recently received three more from DSAE (Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering) Cosford. The other three are XW897, XZ332 and ZA771.

                                • Savoia
                                  Savoia commented
                                  Editing a comment
                                  Perhaps Witham sold those three without auction, is that possible?



                              • SA341B ZB693 (WA2009) at SPTA on 29th October 2013 (Photo by Ben Allen)




                                ALAT night time ship landing (Photo by Pierre Gillis)

                                Comment




                                • SA342M F-MGAC as seen in Seine-et-Marne in Jun 2018 (Photo by Ismail Ahounou)




                                  SA341G(S) G-WCRD (cn.1390) as seen at Stapleford on 12th September 2004 (Photo by Mick Bajcar)

                                  Comment

                                  Working...
                                  X