Shrieking Gazelles

[Helipixman]

G-CDNO Official Change of Ownership

This aircraft has been officially registered as a Crabtree Gazelle, as of 15.8.19

[Savoia]

Grazie Elipix!

[Savoia]

SA341B G-CDNO (WA1385) as seen at Cricket St. Thomas in Chard, Somerset on 18th August 2019 (Photo by Mark Youd)

Stefano, possibly accompanied Crabtree Junior. And yes, 'Cricket St. Thomas' seems to be the name of an English village, along with many other weird and wonderful examples to be found across the UK!

I've given this one the Avia name 'RainbowStar'.

Cypriot Air Force Gazelle demonstration

[Helipixman]

Some more photos of G-BLAO in Israel. The first picture has some interesting equipment fitted... looks like some kind of pump. Any ideas ?





SA341G G-BLAO cn.1097 in Israel c.1988. Photos: Shahmam-Aloni

[Savoia]

Lovely shots Elipix, bravo!

Chim-Nir Aviation in Israel were involved in various forms of powerline work, stringing cables (always fun) and washing powerline insulators (I have a photo of a Chim-Nir bird doing just this and which I will post anon) so this may be the pump for the washing unit.

[Savoia]

SA342J YU-HES (cn.1057) as seen at Stapleford on 22nd August 2019

SA342L ZU-RHH (cn.1787) fly-by at Grand Central Airport earlier this morning

[Savoia]

SA341D G-ONNE (WA1089) as seen at Duxford on 23rd August 2019 (Photo by Fred Taylor)

Presumably this is Andrew Parkes at the helm?

Thinking of giving this one the Avia name 'Vivien', after Vivien Leigh who played opposite Clark Gable in 'G-ONNE With The Wind!'




SA341B ZA776 (WA1818) as seen at RAF Spadeadam on 6th February 2005 (Photo by Roger Hadlow)

Not sure if I've seen this port-side lower-fuselage-mounted antenna before?

[Savoia]

SA341G N700SH (cn.1154) as seen in Lotenhulle, Belgium on 25th August 2019 (Photo by Kurt)

Seen in this photo is Anne-Elise (9 years old) and Border Collie 'Tessy' (6 years old). You can see another photo of Tessy on our Heli-Dogs page. This photo was taken at Kurt's home helipad in Lotenhulle after completing a flight in the Ghent area.

With our thanks to Avia member Kurt for this photo. It is lovely to see the Kurtcraft after such a long time.




SA341C XZ939 (WA1750) as seen at Bourne Park on 25th August 2019

[Savoia]

Gazelle by waterfalls in South Africa, 2019 NFI

[Savoia]

SA341G(S) 2-PJBA (cn.1392) as seen at Cardiff Heliport on 27th August 2019

Minigaz at Loorholz Flight day in Switzerland, August 2019

[Savoia]

N71FR


SA341G(S) N71FR (cn.1274) as seen in the BVI on 28th August 2019 (Photo and video courtesy of Steve W.)

Some may have read about Hurricane Dorian making its way through the Caribbean at present. As a precaution, Avia member 'Virgin Steve' relocated N71FR from his house pad to his newly-built hurricane shelter/hangar yesterday, as per the photo above.

Now you may be asking yourself, 'Hangar? What hangar?' .. the answer to which is revealed in the video below:

[md600driver]

Steve that’s fab! I want one which the local council would think is a shed.

[md600driver]

Armée de Terre Font

Does anyone know the actual font used for the 'armée de TERRE' lettering on their Gazelles?

I need to make some stickers urgently for a Gazelle to look the same as the originals. The nearest font I have found is 'Ollie Wollie' but it’s got some different letters.

[Savoia]

The AdT font is not 'Ollie Wollie'. There are a bunch of very similar fonts (of which Ollie Wollie is one) but it could take a while to identify the exact one because of the way fonts are both stored and searched. In the meantime I am suggesting an alternative solution in the post below.

[Savoia]

If you download the image below and email it to a high quality printer/sign company, they will have the software to super-size it while maintaining the integrity of the characters, from which they can produce adhesive lettering.

If you also send a photo of the aircraft (such as below) with the dimensions of the tail boom, they will be able to calculate the size to be produced, or if the outline of the old lettering is still visible, then simply measure the characters and send them the dimensions. Then its just a matter of getting someone with experience to apply the letters in order to ensure a good job.

[md600driver]

The AdT font is not 'Ollie Wollie'. There are a bunch of very similar fonts (of which Ollie Wollie is one) but it could take a while to identify the exact one because of the way fonts are both stored and searched. In the meantime I am suggesting an alternative solution in the post below.

I know that Ollie wollie is not the correct font but it’s the nearest I can find. I have spoken to sign companies and they can’t replicate the original exactly without the type font. That’s why I asked the question if anyone knows the correct type font.

[xbdt]

go to https://fonts.adobe.com/fonts and enter sample text 'armée de TERRE' and you can browse through about 1800 fonts easily. good luck ;-)

[Savoia]

'I have spoken to sign companies and they can’t replicate the original exactly without the type font.' — If this is so, then you absolutely must find a new sign company, because if you email them the wording posted above (surrounded by the grey background) the right company can absolutely reproduce this and create for you the adhesive letters. I have had large scale promotional material (as in large banners) produced this way. I will try and call one of my contacts in the UK today and see if he can help.

[Savoia]

SA341B ZA776 (WA1818) as seen at Ostende Bruges in Belgium on 8th September 2003 (Photo by Nik Deblauwe)




Gazelle as seen at MW's Stapleford shop on 29th August 2019

[Savoia]

Ciao Stefano,

I have found a font match:



The grey sample at the top is the style from the aircraft, and of the three in the selection, the centre one 'URW Geometric Bold' seems to be a fit.

You can type out the letters 'armee de TERRE' and see for yourself here.

[md600driver]

Many thanks that’s very close Steve

[Savoia]

SA342J HA-LFH (cn.1775) as seen at Duxford on 29th August 2019 (Photo by Adriano)

The Haelo Gaz with the Haelo fam at Dux this week.




SA341B G-CDNO (WA1385) as seen at Sywell on 30th August 2019 (Photo by Gavin)

[Rotorspot]

I received the following request:

"On leaving UK on 14th August I passed a road running Gazelle on a truck. No boom, but the last two letters of the registration seemed to be ….PS. Any thoughts?"

I have asked for the location and maybe the Gazelle's colour scheme, but so far have not received a reply.

The closest I can find is G-CTFS.

Does anyone know if this one was road running around that date?

[Rotorspot]

Location would have been on the M25 or M20, around 1530 on that day.

[Rotorspot]

The viewer states 'I just caught PS on the stbd side, behind the pod. Everything aft of that was missing'.

[Helipixman]

I am at a loss with this one. As the viewer states everything behind the pod was missing. Well that's the whole tail boom etc.

I call the pod everything as far back as to where the tail boom joins. So not sure what he means behind the pod ? Does he mean behind the doors etc ? Most UK G- registered have the registration on the tail boom and overseas usually below the front door or on the boom. So maybe the PS was not connected to a registration at all ?

What would be really helpful would be a colour scheme ?

[Savoia]

1615/3615 wearing her new registration inside the new Crabtree hangar at Breighton Aerodrome on 1st September 2019
(Photo by Stefano)






SA342L ZU-RMY (cn.5011) going for weight and balance checks in South Africa recently (Photos courtesy of Stefano)

[Savoia]

E7-AAB


SA341H E7-AAB (cn.037) as seen in Bosnia in 2019




SA341D XW898 (WA1191) as seen at RAF Finningley on 20th September 1975 (Photo by Ed Walton)

[Savoia]

SA342MV GAL (cn.3862) as seen at Étain-Rouvres on 29th August 2019 (Photo by Carl Brent)




SA341F2 ZU-RNV (cn.1608) as seen at Durban Virginia Airport on 20th June 2019 (Photo by Gary Shephard)




Gaz boom at Stapleford on 3rd September 2019

[Helipixman]

N341AS

Seems this Gazelle has had a respray and now has a new owner ?
According to www.helispot.be where I found the photograph she is now based in Neuville and owned by Geoffroy de Jamblinne.
Wonder if previous owner could confirm this ?


Photo with thanks to www.helispot.be

[xbdt]

yes that is correct, he has it for about 1 year now and very happy with it!

[Savoia]

In October 2018 XB shared with us the following shot:


SA341G N341AS (cn.1042) as seen at Zommergem in October 2018 (Photo by XB)

It looks as if the grey window-oval may have been replaced by a silver colour, or it could just be the sunlight!




Meanwhile .. the Crabtree 342 has now received her adT titles:


SA342M HA-HSG (cn.3615) at the Crabtree Hangar at Breighton on 4th September 2019 (Photo by Stefano)




XW899 (WA1192) departing Witham Specialist Vehicles for delivery to her new owner on 4th September 2019




RMAF SA342L CN-ACV in Morocco NFI

[Savoia]

SA341G(S) YU-HEW (cn.1491) as seen at Ascot on 24th June 2006 (Photo by Mark Worsdell)




SA341B G-CDNO (WA1385) as seen very recently at Grantham in Lincolnshire





This Aérospatiale-commissioned desktop model is currently for sale.

[Helipixman]

I guess G-CDNO picture could be at Witham sales. Maybe Mr Crabtree was the successful bidder on XW899 ?

[Savoia]

Yes, it is at Witham's, but I felt it more discreet to provide the locator, also in part as a nod to the Earl of Grantham!

[Savoia]

Gazelle Rotorheads


G-CDNO rotorhead


E7-AAB rotorhead

XB (or indeed anyone) can you please describe the difference in rotorheads between G-CDNO and E7-AAB, specifically that one is fitted with 'moonshine bottles' (an Elipix name ) and the other doesn't.

[xbdt]

Sleeves/spindles on CDNO are lubricated with oil while the E7-AAB with grease. It is a mod and it has some pros and cons.
Advantage with oil: the level is easily checked, better for colder climates. Grease mod is better for hotter climates and it does leak less than the oil of course. I have also both configurations and I prefer the grease mod.

On E7-AAB the TT stretch detectors are useless (I hopefully suppose they are using the -274 TT straps) so these can be removed.

[Savoia]

Grazie mille XB!

Are all 342's fitted with greased rotorheads?

Interesting to learn about the stretch detectors.

Also, how do -274 TT straps differ from other straps?

[xbdt]

That is up to the customer I would say. You can convert to to grease by simply removing the bottles, drain the oil and use 1 pressure relief stop. Going back to oil is another story as all spindle and sleeve seals have to be replaced.
the -274 TT straps are made by Lord (USA). The older types were made by Normalair-Garrett Ltd (NGL) UK; all use of these are forbidden by AD some years ago.

[Savoia]

SA342L1 F-MBOF 4225 (cn.2225) plus four other Gazelles as seen in Somalia in May 1993 during operation ONUSOM
(Photo by T. Laurent)

[Savoia]

SA341G N341DT (cn.1110) as seen at Zoersel in Antwerp, Belgium on 24th August 2019 (Photo courtesy of XB)




SA342J HA-LFH (cn.1775) as seen at Swinton Park in North Yorkshire on 8th September 2019 (Photo by Adriano)

Avia member Adriano departing Swinton Park on 8th September with the Haelo Gaz




SA341G N341GG (cn.1181) as seen in Belgium on 8th September 2019 (Photo by Cedric Dumont)




Gazelle in South Africa on 7th September 2019 NFI




SA341F2 N1198G (cn.1198) as seen at Osceola in Wisconsin on 7th September 2019 (Photo by BP Gross)

Wisconsin clearly having received recent rains.

[Helipixman]

South African Gazelle probably ZU-RNB

[md600driver]

I guess G-CDNO picture could be at Witham sales. Maybe Mr Crabtree was the successful bidder on XW899 ?

You never know!!!

It is also possible that Mr Crabtree was looking at three more Gazelles going up for sale shortly at Witham!

[Helipixman]

Great Stuff

I heard there was more than just the one there. Think they all came from Cosford store !

[Savoia]

SA341B G-CDNO (WA1385) as seen at Sywell on 30th August 2019 (Photo by David Unsworth)

Another take of the RainbowStar Gaz from her recent visit to Sywell. Possibly crewed by Crabtrees Senior and Junior.




SA342MV F-MGBY (cn.2145) as seen over Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley in 2016

[Savoia]

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

[Savoia]

SA342M as seen in Pau, France on 10th September 2019




Cypriot Air Force SA342L1 NFI

The Gaz Squad performing at the 2019 Victory Show in Cosby, Leicestershire on 8th September

Commandement Des Forces Spéciales Terre

[Savoia]

SA341B G-CDNO (WA1385) as seen at Breighton recently

This trolley looks as though it lifts the craft from the ground-handling wheel mountings? If so then this presumably allows it to carry craft fitted with skid fairings too, for some trolleys lift from the underside of the skid tubes.




SA341F2 ZU-HHP (cn.1597) as seen in South Africa on 7th May 2016




SA342L F-MGEV (cn.4227)

[md600driver]

Yes it’s a chopper spotter made in the USA. As you say, it picks up from the original wheel mounting brackets so works perfectly with skid fairings too, and most other skid helicopters. I’ve used mine with my MD500 & 600, Enstrom 280 & 480 as well all types of Gazelle.

[Savoia]

Sounds ideal, good choice.

You had an MD500?