Announcement

**Zishelix** · 22nd October 2020, 08:18

G-BBHW

WA341G #1098 G-BBHW at Cranfield in 1979 (Photo: Alan Meloy)

Btw, does anybody have a good photo of the same machine with the Orme Investments company logo?

**Savoia** · 22nd October 2020, 12:02

SA341H as seen at Cerklje ob Krki Air Base in Slovenia in 2018 (Photo by Goran Kroselj)

Engaged in exercise 'Adriatic Strike'.

SA341C G-IBNH (WA1033) as seen at Manchester Barton on 21st May 2017 (Photo by Mike Powney)

A short Gaz documentary (en français)

**Zishelix** · 23rd October 2020, 09:02

Senegalese Gazelle 6W-SHC (c/n 1025) in an episode of Philippe de Dieuleveult’s 'La chasse aux trésors' (Treasure Hunt) in the Casamance region of Senegal in 1983

**Savoia** · 23rd October 2020, 12:02

SA341H RA-05702 (cn.058) as seen at Voskresensk Airfield in Russia on 10th June 2014 (Photo by Aleksander Markin)

This shot above originally posted by Zis.

SA341G) G-GAZI (cn.1136) as seen at Donington Park in 1993 (Photo by Alan Meloy)

**Savoia** · 24th October 2020, 13:18

SA341B from 29 BATUS Flight as seen in Alberta, Canada on 22nd October 2020 (Photo by Jordan Bridges)

Jordan reports that they have already had several snowfalls in Alberta, although nothing too heavy so far.

SA341D G-ONNE (WA1089) as seen at Sywell on 4th December 2019 (Photo by Jeff Bell)

**Savoia** · 26th October 2020, 13:14

SA341F2 ZU-RNV (cn.1608) as seen in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa on 25th October 2020
(Photos courtesy of Avia member Jean-Pierre)

SA341G N341DT (cn.1110) as seen at Zwartberg Airfield in Belgium on 29th August 2020 (Photo by Alex Evertse)
It looks as if XB Junior may be have been flying and in which case .. bravo Nicolas!

3CBAS

The squadron of six Scout and nine Gazelle helicopters went to the Falklands, commanded by Major Peter Cameron RM, who was awarded the Military Cross. Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded to Lieutenant R J Nunn (posthumously) and Captain J P Niblet RM. The squadron was involved in every major ground battle during the campaign in a variety of roles; reconnaissance, liaison, the movement of ammunition to the front line, and the recovery of casualties from forward positions. Its helicopters flew a total of 2,110 hours in just over three weeks reflecting a remarkable rate of serviceability and flying.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Comm...lands_War_1982

**Zishelix** · 27th October 2020, 09:18

WA341B XW908 #1217 at Fairford in July 2006 (Photo: Melchior Timmers)

**Savoia** · 27th October 2020, 09:30

SA342J HA-LFH (cn.1775) as seen at Sywell in July 2019 (Photo by Jeff Bell)

SA341G G-WELA (cn.1145) NFI (Photo by Graeme Lovell)

SA342M F-MBSR (cn.3860) as seen at Aéroport Valence Chabeuil on 1st June 2008

**Rotorspot** · 27th October 2020, 15:38

New Gazelle Registered in France

F-AYOM SA341F2, c/n 1451; registered 22-Oct-2020 to Olivier Mayol (Le Poncet, Genolhac)

**Zishelix** · 28th October 2020, 10:01

SA341F #1678 ZU-RLE at Pretoria-Waterkloof in September 17th, 2016 (Photo:Brian Spurr)

Sadly lost in May 2018 http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...=9830#post9830

**Savoia** · 28th October 2020, 13:46

SA341D G-TSTR ZB625 (WA1905) as seen at Thruxton on 26th October 2020 (Photo by Westleigh Bushell)

With our thanks to Westleigh for this lovely photo!

Introducing 'Jack' the Gaz-Loving Terrier Cross

SA341F2 ZU-RRW (cn.1369) in Thabazimbi, South Africa in October 2020

More of Jack tomorrow.

ps: We are always on the look-out for photos of dogs with Gazelles, so if you have any .. or are able to create any .. please do send them our way .. or post them on the thread. Email photos to: aviafora1@gmail.com

Grazie mille!

Aerodynamic Characteristics of Helicopter with Ducted Fan Tail Rotor in Hover under Low-Speed Crosswind

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijae/2020/7059209/

**Savoia** · 29th October 2020, 00:02

Farewell to a Dear Friend and Gentleman Flyer!

First met Denissimo in 1977. He was one of those people who made you feel instantly accepted. He never tired of discussing helicopters but was equally willing to explore all manner of topics and enjoyed a good laugh!

Dennis had a habit of buying aircraft which I had either flown or had a connection with, and which included Sebastian de Ferranti's G-AWJW, his brother Denis de Ferranti's EI-ATY, William Monk's G-WIZZ, Colin Chapman's G-AYTF ('The Dancer') and of course G-TALY the craft in which I performed my PPL training. At the time of my training, also in attendance at Denissimo's newly formed 'Skyline Helicopters' was Maggie's son Mark Thatcher whom Denissimo would tease relentlessly (especially before flying) repeatedly making the quip 'Be sure and take your maps with you!' (as Mark had become lost the previous year during the Paris-Dakar rally and the matter had been widely publicised).

In March 2000, Denissimo suffered a personal tragedy involving the loss of his son Dennis Jnr. who perished in an accident (along with two others) in a Hughes 300 which Dennis owned. Unbelievably, Dennis was to suffer again in 2008 with the loss his firstborn son Christopher, due to heart failure. Dennis and I talked about this on several occasions in the years which followed, and what became clear is that he carried the memory of his sons with him at all times. While this is perhaps unsurprising, it nonetheless underlined the heartfelt humanity which was at the core of Denissimo's character.

Denissimo was an extraordinary man who was immensely likeable and refreshingly down-to-earth, indeed it seemed to me from the earliest of our encounters as though His personality shone like a star among the many characters which made up the UK's civil helicopter industry.

He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.

Rest in peace dear friend.

Surrounding Jill, Sue and Jade with our love, thoughts and prayers.

**Savoia** · 29th October 2020, 11:20

~ Dennis Raymond Kenyon ~

October 1932 - October 2020

also known as .. 'The Maestro', 'The Menace' and .. 'Denissimo'

Seen here flying N565F in 2011

**Zishelix** · 30th October 2020, 10:20

SA342J(S) #1058 F-GKRF at Bern-Belp in October 7th, 2002 (Photo: Markus Herzig)

Manufactured in 1973 as SA.341G but transformed to SA.342J during 1990.

http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...=2581#post2581

**Jakub Cikhart** · 30th October 2020, 16:11

Sorry gentlemen for my absence, but BIG BIG thanks for the pics, especially the ones with connection to my Gulf war addiction.

**Savoia** · 31st October 2020, 12:22

Our beloved Denissimo with N565F in 2011

**xbdt** · 1st November 2020, 11:05

SA342J EC-DUR (1185) at a private house near Ciutadella, Menorca, Spain 10-08-1985. (Photo S.C. Paul)

This helicopter crashed 4-9-1992 when it flew into a hill near Marbella.

**Jakub Cikhart** · 2nd November 2020, 07:51

Originally posted by Jakub Cikhart View Post

Sorry gentlemen for my absence, but BIG BIG thanks for the pics, especially the ones with connection to my Gulf war addiction.

Thanks in advance !! Also sent you a PM...

**Savoia** · 2nd November 2020, 12:49

SA341D G-VOIP (WA1792) as seen at Ullswater in Cumbria on 30th October 2020

SA341B XZ347 (WA1713) as seen at Boscombe Down on 13th June 1992 (Photo by Simon Brooke)

SA341G ZU-ROO (cn.1391) as seen at Robertson Airfield in Western Cape on 1st November 2020 (Photo by Craig Browne)

(Just click on the above image .. and it will play)

Gazelle landing at Hemet-Ryan Airport in California on 31st October 2020

I 'think' this is SA341F2 N2MF (cn.1448).

Video clip update: Avia member 'Jun' from San Francisco has identified the Gazelle above as Anthony Chan's SA341F2 N383GZ.
Grazie Jun!

The 'Hamster' tries his hand at the Gaz .. at last!

**md600driver** · 2nd November 2020, 23:06

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

Ciao Stefano!

Was this a Crabtree Gaz then?

If so, do you remember when this was approximately and also which craft he is flying?

Me, Nige and our Mike went to the screening. I have it somewhere in my mind that it was one of his birthdays.

Avia Member Challenge!

I am challenging Avia's Gazelle enthusiasts to identify which Gazelle was used, the filming date and when it was screened on TV!

Answers on a post card!

I know that there are some members who know which Gaz was used.

If you struggle too much, then I will post some cryptic clues!

**Zishelix** · 3rd November 2020, 08:49

It's hard to guess because the markings are almost unreadable from the clip:

**Savoia** · 3rd November 2020, 10:46

Initial findings suggest that this was aired on 'Top Gear' in Series 17, specifically Episode no. 5 which apparently featured a challenge to demolish a house!

The was first screened on 24th July 2011.

**Savoia** · 3rd November 2020, 11:01

Serbian Air Force Gazelle as seen in October 2020 (Photo by Uros Mitrovic)

SA341G G-SFTH (cn.1155) as seen at Thruxton on 30th August 1987 (Photo by Philip Cole)

Nosco, if you're still reading .. then this if for you!

Unidentified Gulf War Gazelle with 'J' code on tail

For Jakub.

ZU-ROO departing with parachutists

ZU-RMU in company with ZU-RMT during a training
flight near Polokwane on 31st October 2020

Astronaut Tim Peake Selects Pembrey Airport for Practice Flying

Renowned astronaut Tim Peake has chosen Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, for future training with a flying squadron he belongs to.

Over the summer he and the rest of the helicopter Gazelle Squadron spent a weekend at Pembrey Airport, which they said was was out of this world.

Major Peake is pictured above in the centre of the back row with the Gazelle Squadron team.

Also at the site this summer were the Team Raven aerobatic plane display team.

Major Peake is a former Army Air Corps Apache Pilot and took to Twitter shortly after his visit to say he had “a great day in the office” at Pembrey “for some flying training."

He and rest of the squadron spent the day at the airfield running through several practice flights and other training procedures.

Now he and the team have decided to use the venue as a regular training venue, which is a real coup for the airport.

Pembrey Airport founder and owner Winston Thomas said: "We had the Gazelle Helicopter Team here in August, doing training and a display.

"They were introduced to the Ravens Aerobatic team that also do their training here at Pembrey Airport, the last display they did was a combined display together, which was very impressive."

The Gazelle Squadron Display Team was established in 2014 and currently performs as a two craft flying display and provides additional aircraft for static display at airshows across the UK.

Based in Oxfordshire, the squadron also maintains a fleet of former military Westland Gazelle helicopters from the Army Air Corps, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines.

Mr Thomas said Major Peake's first visit to Pembrey Airport in August was a huge success which he hopes will be repeated as the venue becomes a regular spot for him.

Mr Thomas added: "It was a fantastic coup to welcome Major Peake and the team.

“He was great and spent time chatting and having photos with people there during the day.

“He really seemed to enjoy the day and I now look forward to welcoming him back."

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/as...ying-training/

**Zishelix** · 3rd November 2020, 11:40

A nice scale model diorama.

**md600driver** · 3rd November 2020, 20:07

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

Zis, I don't think we are going to identify the bird through the video clip.

Earlier on didn't Stefano have an ex-BAG still painted-up in its original colours? That could be a starting point together with any similarly painted craft at Breighton.

We also need someone who watched the original show and I don't know whether this was Top Gear or the new show on Amazon?

The Top Gear studios at Dunsfold was the show screening.

Filming was at former RAF North Witham, a disused airfield next to Witham Specialist Vehicles.

**Jakub Cikhart** · 4th November 2020, 07:42

Savoia, again, SPLENDID picture of Gulf war Gazelle. Definitely taken in Gulf, as you can see Saudi Hercules in the background. What is strange, that the serial number looks "censored" or just overpainted. Really strange.... My site says it is XX449, I have two other pics of her there. Thanks for the addition !!

Btw, found some new great pic of Saudi Puma damaged during Gulf war. Any idea where to find some good/correct lists of Puma/Panther helicopters with correct versions, serial numbers etc ? Thanks !

**Savoia** · 4th November 2020, 12:13

SA341B G-CDNO (WA1385) as seen at Breighton on 25th October 2020 (Photo by Jez)

Crabtrees Senior and Junior at Breighton recently.

More Autumn Gazelles ..

SA341B ZB691 (WA2006) as seen at SPTA on 3rd November 2020 (Photo by Mark Harris)

Gazelles at Aéroport de Marseille in October 2020 (Photo by Damien Fournier)

Soko Gazelle no. 008 Deployed in Medevac Role

Armenian Helicopters have drafted in Soko SA341H cn.008 to support medevac operations in response to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

008 will support two other Aérospatiale aircraft in this task, specifically an Ecureuil and an EC130, as part of a medevac contract recently awarded by Armenia's Ministry of Health. The Gazelle joined Armenia's new civilian helicopter medevac team on 3rd November.

SA341H (cn.008) as seen in Armenia on 3rd November 2020

**Savoia** · 4th November 2020, 18:35

What Has Been Established So Far

Sav identified that the clip was part of a Top Gear episode which first aired on 24th July 2011.

Zis identified that the Gaz in question was fitted with a dual antenna array beneath the nose, indicating that this may have been an ex-Navy bird.

Elipix identified the aircraft registration as XX438 which had been sold through Witham but acknowledged that this could have been another aircraft which was wearing these marks. He also established that G-CDXE (a former BAG which had been in the Crabtree stable) departed the UK in 2010 a year before the Top Gear filming and that this was therefore unlikely to have been used.

So, we still haven't pin-pointed the specific aircraft but perhaps Stefano can confirm whether, as Zis has suggested, this was an ex-Navy bird and which will help us to narrow down the contenders!

**Helipixman** · 4th November 2020, 19:49

Crabtree's Gazelle Identification Challenge

I am prepared to admit that I may have misread the registration by one digit, because I am going to throw my hat into the investigation and put forward.....

G-ZZLE a Gazelle HT.2 which was painted as XX436 with Royal Marines titles. At the time of filming it was owned by Estates UK Ltd a company based in Hull. It was noted at many shows as XX436 and was active around the time of filming !

**md600driver** · 4th November 2020, 22:57

Originally posted by Helipixman View Post

I also think that the owner of Estates UK Ltd is an Andrew Miller who if I remember correctly was somehow involved in the sales of the Gazelle batch through the London Helicopter Centre, Redhill one of which was G-CBSE which became G-ZZLE. So may have some military contacts !

I am surprised it took you so long as I thought you all nearly had it straight away.

Yes it’s Andy Miller's Gazelle.

The Top Gear team contacted me as I had already provided G-CDXE for another job a few years earlier. They were looking for an ex-Army or ex-Marines helicopter, however 'XE' had gone to Russia and at that time there were only two other aircraft available, but as I already knew Andy he provided his.

Well done!

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Shrieking Gazelles

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