Shrieking Gazelles

[Savoia]

SA342L 237 (cn.1772) as seen at Casement Baldonnel in July 1989 (Photo by Paul Bradley)




SA341B XX378 (WA1258) as seen at SPTA on 31st July 2007

Flashback from a year ago when Stefano was practising with the Warrior
HA-HSG at Breighton on 21st May 2020

[Savoia]

SA341G N565F (cn.1182) as seen at Newtownards Airfield, County Down, northern Ireland on 2nd June 2011 (Photo by John Mooney)




SA341D XW855 (WA1050) as seen at RAF Fairford in July 1989 (Photo by Andy Bird)

Do you have a Gaz photo you would like to see on 'Shrieking Gazelles'? If so, then please feel free to send your image to: aviafora1@gmail.com

[Savoia]

SA341B G-BZYD (WA1648) ex-XZ329 as seen at Duxford on 23rd May 2013 (Photo by David Whitworth)




SA341F2 N1198G (cn.1198) as seen in 2021 NFI





The Army Flying Museum is hosting a live discussion at 7pm on Monday 24th May on 'Operation Granby' this being the British military operations during Gulf War I.

To find out more, or watch the debate live, click on the following link: https://armyflying.com/what-s-on/eve...r-the-reunion/

[Jakub Cikhart]

Good morning, the Gazelle posted by Savoia (above) is AH.1 XZ298/P.

I am posting another find from yesterday, this time XX437/G



I am on fire LOL !!! Another info found, "A" (Alpha) coded Gazelle AH.1 in Gulf was XW909 !! So my pages are updated with this new info and two new pics.

XW909/A



ZA766/V



Enjoy the photos and have a great weekend !

[Savoia]

Lovely Jakub. 👍 Buon weekend!

[Zishelix]

Operation Granby Memorabilia

[Savoia]

Nice one Zis! 👍

[Savoia]

Stefano and Nige with SA342L HA-LFQ (cn.1854)

Stefano, if you recall the location and year of this photo, could you please let me know. Grazie!




SA341B ZB691 (WA2006) as seen at Middle Wallop on 10th March 2010 (Photo by Neil Brant)




SA341H YU-HEH (cn.011) as seen at Silverstone Turweston on 20th July 2003 (Photo by Andrew Stoppard)

[md600driver]

Photo was taken at Crabtree. Off somewhere over the sea, possibly when we went to Russia for WHC in Drakino, Moscow. Next stop would have been at Xavier's in Belgium.

[xbdt]

Correct, June 9th 2013 was the date. Time flies...

[Savoia]

Grazie mille Stefano e XB! 👍

[Savoia]

SA341G G-EROL (WA1108) as seen at Booker on 30th March 2004 (Photo by Ian Haskell)




SA341B ZA737 (WA1806) as seen at Biggin Hill on 10th June 1995




A new Russian movie entitled 'Tourist' (Турист) was released this week and which details the involvement of Russian mercenaries in the Central African Republic, as reported earlier in the thread:

To see the Gazelle segments go to: 1hr:03, 1hr:14 and 1hr:26

The Gazelle used was RA-1314G.

[Savoia]

Bosnian Air Force


SA342L A-2804 (cn.124) as seen in Banja Luka on 27th October 2007




SA341H HA-LFW (cn.096) as seen in Hungary in May 2021




SA341G(S) YU-HEY (cn.1320) as seen at Sherburn-in-Elmet on 29th January 2006 (Photo by Bill Blanchard)

[Savoia]

SA341G G-BBHU (cn.1108) as seen at Gloucester Staverton on 3rd May 1986 (Photo by Keith Wilson)






SA342MV F-MGBT as seen at Malaga Airport on 22nd May 2021 (Photo by Daniel Gib)

[Helipixman]

Sav - sorry cannot remember did we ever find out what the HA was for on the stabilizer end plate on G-BBHU ?

[Zishelix]

In a previous post Nosco wrote: '𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙨 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝘽𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙚 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣, 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙭-𝙎𝙁𝙏 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧. 𝙃𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙎𝙁𝙏𝘿/𝙎𝙁𝙏𝙃 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝘽𝙃𝙐 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚. 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙨 '𝙃𝘼' 𝙞𝙨 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣?' http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...1858#post11858

[Savoia]

Grazie Zis! You are very good at sourcing info from various parts of the thread. 👍

[Jakub Cikhart]

Today I am glad to add XZ308/Q to the Desert Storm collection:



https://www.dstorm.eu/

[Savoia]

Very nice Jakub! 👍

[Savoia]

SA341B ZB691 (WA2006) as seen at Duxford in July 2017 (Photo by Daniel Wales)




SA341D XW870 (WA1146) as seen near RAF Shawbury on 29th July 1987 (Photo by Peter Foster)




SA341C XX397 (WA1317) as seen at Lee-on-Solent on 21st July 1979 (Photo by Robin Walker)

[Zishelix]

Looks like a Canadian Gazelle, NFI

[Savoia]

When zooming in on the photo, it seems as though the registration beneath the driver's door has been airbrushed out. The belly however appears to reveal a 'CF' registration.

[Zishelix]

There's no registration where it should be, indeed. The image was found on some aviation forum long time ago.

[Jakub Cikhart]

Rwandan Gazelles

Just a small heads-up to say that in the French 'Le Fana Aviation' magazine from June 2021 is an article about the war in Rwanda between 1990-1994 and there is some info and pics featuring Rwandan Gazelles.

[xbdt]

This is the article:

[Savoia]

Bravo Jakub e XB! 👍

[Zishelix]

Very interesting, thanks!

[Jakub Cikhart]

Military Gazelle Acronyms

When reading that article I discovered that JVM stands for Night Vision. That made me wonder if anyone knows what the other acronyms mean as they were used in Gulf:

JVM - NVG ?
HAP (Hélicoptère d'Appui Protection) - cannon Giat M621 ?
HR -
FAR JVN -
laser telemetry (HR) -
Mistral 1 (HAP) -
Mistral 2 (HAP) -
NAVSTAR (CRM 500) - navigation ?
NADIR - navigation ?

Thanks and have a great day.

[Fabrice]

JVN= Jumelles de Vision Nocturne (NVG)
HAP: correct
HR: Hélicoptère de Reconnnaissance (recce helo)
Mistral: the 3 Gazelles (341s) fitted with Mistral AA short range missiles were named Celtic
Navstar... don't know.
NADIR: nav system fitted on the ALAT 342s and Pumas, based on a doppler radar and a computer (remember, the GPS was still a futuristic device in 1991, even if the very first ones started to be used in the Gulf).

Hope this can help!

Fabrice

[xbdt]

Yes NADIR is/was for navigation. On the 342M you have a nav computer where you can enter up to 9 legs (if I remember correctly). The distance to the next waypoint is indicated on the vertical compass' upper right corner (xx,x in km).
The double arrow indicates the heading to the next leg.

[Jakub Cikhart]

Military Gazelle Acronyms

When reading that article I discovered that JVM stands for Night Vision. That made me wonder if anyone knows what the other acronyms mean as they were used in Gulf:

JVM - NVG ?
HAP (Hélicoptère d'Appui Protection) - cannon Giat M621 ?
HR -
FAR JVN -
laser telemetry (HR) -
Mistral 1 (HAP) -
Mistral 2 (HAP) -
NAVSTAR (CRM 500) - navigation ?
NADIR - navigation ?

Thanks and have a great day.

BIG thanks guys !!

[Savoia]

Rwandan Gazelle Identified

Thanks to the efforts of Avia members Jakub and XB we have been able to identify a Gazelle belonging to the Rwandan Air Force.

Anyone with any further details as to the number and identity of Gazelles used by the Rwandan Air Force is welcome to share this info.


Rwandan Air Force SA342L 10-K08 NFI




SA342L QA13 as seen over Doha on 15th December 2017 (Photo by Stefan Fax)




SA341B XZ330 (WA1651) as seen at RNAS Portland on 3rd April 1984

[Savoia]

Grazie Jakub, so much appreciated! 👍

Jos, where on your database are the Rwandan Gazelles, I was looking here: http://www.rotorspot.nl/current/9xr-c.php

[Rotorspot]

You will find the Rwanda Gazelles in the Gazelle production list at http://www.rotorspot.nl/product/sa341.php
The 'current' register only contains active helicopters with civil registrations.

[Savoia]

Yes, okay grazie Jos! 👍

Its just that sometimes the military aircraft appear on the lists because, I suppose, they wear civilian registrations also.

[Savoia]

SA341G F-BUUX (cn.1223) as seen at Basel-Mulhouse Airport, France in 1976

[xbdt]

Probably this helicopter owned by Pierre Bergé was set on fire at Issy-Les-Moulineaux by a resident.

[Fabrice]

Actually the two short-lived F-BUUX were both owned by a Mr Coudert, a pork-butcher from the Correze region. He used it to fly to his different sausage plants, as well as to Paris: he was friend with the then mayor of Paris, soon-to-be French president, originating from the same region.

[Zishelix]

'Probably this helicopter owned by Pierre Bergé was set on fire at Issy-Les-Moulineaux by a resident.'

I think it was F-GETS #1019
http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...2026#post12026

[Savoia]

XB wrote: Probably this helicopter owned by Pierre Bergé was set on fire at Issy-Les-Moulineaux by a resident.

Zis wrote: I think it was F-GETS #1019

Fabrizio wrote: Actually the two short-lived F-BUUX were both owned by a Mr Coudert, a pork-butcher from the Corrèze region. He used it to fly to his different sausage plants, as well as to Paris: he was friend with the then mayor of Paris, soon-to-be French president, originating from the same region.

Grazie Fabrizio!

Do you happen to know the first name for Monsieur Coudert the friend of Jacques Chirac. Also, are you able to confirm that one of these aircraft was set on fire at Issy and do you know the story behind it, why would someone do that?

Also, Zis is saying that one of the BUUX is F-GETS and which I have never heard before. Is there a way for us to know the construction numbers of 'les deux BUUX' and when they were owned by Monsieur Coudert?

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

[Fabrice]

The first F-BUUX was cn 1084; it was wrecked by its first pilot, new on the type as well as on helicopters in general, when he wanted to show-off above his parent's farm during his first solo... the unfortunate Gazelle was rebuilt, using the same reg but with the new cn1223 (same colour sheme) by another, much more capable pilot, for Mr Coudert (I don't know his first name, unfortunately), until he had to sold her in late 1975. I don't know her subsequent fate, but afaik there's no connection with F-GETS, which was cn1019.

[Savoia]

Grazie Fabrizio, so much appreciated! 👍

[Savoia]

SA341B ZB671 (WA1958) as seen at Welshpool on 26th May 2021 (Photos by Rob Maclennan)

[Zishelix]

Gazelles on Film

TV actor Jack Hedley posing with a Gazelle (probably G-BAGJ) in 1976

[Savoia]

Nice one Zis! 👍

[Savoia]

New Russian Gazelle Joins CAR's Mercenary Force

Africa has become the preferred pasture for mercenary Gazelles with examples of the type having been deployed in Libya, Mozambique and the Central African Republic in recent times.

Both Mozambique and the CAR have lost one Gazelle each, which we reported at the time.

RA-1347G (cn.087) which featured on the GazMart has now been deployed to the CAR to join the mercenary force there.

RA-1347G (cn.087) as seen in the Central
African Republic in May 2021




SA341C G-CTFS (WA1081) as seen at Perth on 29th May 2021 (Photo by Mark McEwan)

SA341G(S) YU-HOT (cn.1390) landing at a
new hangar in Serbia on 30th May 2021

[Savoia]

SA341D ZB625 (WA1905) as seen at SPTA on 27th March 2012 (Photo by Jonathan Coombes)




SA341B XX448 (WA1440) as seen at RAF Spadeadam in 2003 (Photo by Steven Hadlow)

[Helipixman]

Change of Registration

SA341B AH.1 G-KEMH (WA1284) was re-registered as G-UNNS on 27.5.21 and remains registered to Tabby Manning.

Looking at the companies owned by Tabby Manning, I cannot find a link/meaning for this registration ?

[Savoia]

Grazie Elipix! 👍

[Savoia]

SA341G(S) YU-HHH (cn.1307) as seen at Horsham St. Faith on 1st June 2021 (Photo by Josh Knights)




SA341B ZB691 (WA2006) as seen at SPTA on 25th September 2018 (Photo by Liam Daniels)

[Savoia]

SA341B ZB691 (WA2006) as seen at SPTA on 26th February 2014 (Photo by Jonathan Coombes)




Gazelle at Zomergem NFI (Photo by Tom Buysse)

SA342M HA-HSG (cn.3615) arrival at
Breighton on 17th April 2021

[md600driver]

Does anyone know where/when XZ322 sn 1630 got it’s battle damage?

[Savoia]

Built in 1977, served with 6 Flt then 670 Sqn. Sent to St. Athan then Cosford and eventually Lyneham in May 2015. Seem to remember Elipix saying that this was among a batch which ended-up at Witham.

Elipix do you know anything more about this craft?

[Helipixman]

Interesting that this Gazelle is being mentioned as it was being sold on 26th May 2021 by MOD sales (Witham Specialist Vehicles) with a starting price of £5,000

See http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...3851#post13851

Seen in a sand camo scheme but with green camo doors just wonder how much of a mix of parts this Gazelle is ? and wondering if a certain member on here purchased her ?

I am not aware of any battle damage, as Sav mentions after leaving 670 Squadron it went into storage at RAF Cosford and then became a Ground instructional airframe.

[Helipixman]

Change of Ownership

N2MF c/n 1448 has changed owner to Teton Vistas Range LLC, 25th May 2021 (Prescott, Arizona)

[Rotorspot]

Thanks.

This one is now reserved as N916D (per 26th May 2021), with the same owner (Teton Vistas Range LLC, Prescott, Arizona).

[Helipixman]

Thanks for the further update Jos.

[Savoia]

Grazie Elipix e Jos! 👍

This aircraft has been for sale on the GazMart since December: http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...1522#post11522

[md600driver]

Interesting that this Gazelle is being mentioned as it was being sold on 26th May 2021 by MOD sales (Witham Specialist Vehicles) with a starting price of £5,000

See http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...3851#post13851

Seen in a sand camo scheme but with green camo doors just wonder how much of a mix of parts this Gazelle is ? and wondering if a certain member on here purchased her ?

I am not aware of any battle damage, as Sav mentions after leaving 670 Squadron it went into storage at RAF Cosford and then became a Ground instructional airframe.

Surprisingly all rotable components are there as per the log books. The doors and engine gearbox covers were missing and there were two scrap doors.

[Helipixman]

Yes looking at the pictures the rotables look pretty complete.

[Savoia]

SA341G(S) G-BZLA (cn.1392) as seen at Redhill on 5th May 2005 (Photo by Andre Wadman)




SA341B XZ341 (WA1692) as seen at Middle Wallop on 23rd July 1982 (Photo by Graham Tiller)

[Savoia]

SA341D G-CBSI (WA1736) ex-XZ934 as seen at Sandown on 30th May 2021 (Photo by Malcom Toll)




SA341B G-BZYD (WA1648) ex-XZ329 as seen at Shoreham (Photo by Alex Cusden)

Carlo, if you're still with us could you kindly give us a date for this great photo.

The Serbian Air Force assisting the police
by performing a motorway patrol