Shrieking Gazelles

[Zishelix]

SA342L1 4213/CWQ marked '111' during Gulf War in 1991.

[Zishelix]

I wonder if any of you guys can shed some light on these 'nose-stars' which can be seen on some UK mil Gazelle pics? I mean, what was the reason for such markings? We already discussed this topic but no (plausible) explanation given.

[Savoia]

Yes, discussed before. I thought someone mentioned that these were markings for when senior Army personnel were carried aboard?

[Zishelix]

Ok, thanks!

[Zishelix]

SA341F over Mont-Saint-Michel (Photo: Philippe Maufrey)

[Savoia]

Nice one Zis! 👍

[Zishelix]

ALAT Gazelle sling loaded on a CH-47 during Operation Barkhane, Chad in May 2020.

[Savoia]

SA342M's as seen during 'Exercise Manticore' in Auriac-Lagast, France on 20th September 2022 (Photos by José Torres)

[Zishelix]

Anybody able to help about ID of this Gazelle airframe?



https://www.republicain-lorrain.fr/d...eil-est-en-vol

[Savoia]

We need to ask the fire crew at Phalsbourg to read the data plate!

[Fabrice]

No need for that... it is sn1071

[Zishelix]

Merci beaucoup, Fabrice!

[Savoia]

SA341G(S) G-EHUP (1407) as seen at Duxford in 2002 (Photo by Stuart Mitchell)

[Zishelix]

Classic Gazelle livery SA341G N505NM c/n 1408 in 2009, NFI

[Savoia]

Classic indeed, belissimo Zis! 👌

[Zishelix]

SA341G F-BVVU c/n 1142 starring in 'Le faux-cul’ movie (English tittle ‘The Phoney’) filmed in 1975.



The same bird as seen (below) at Paris Issy-Le-Moulineaux in May 1975 (Photo: Mick Bajcar)



This Gazelle had an accident in May 1982 and was probably w/o. Does anybody know what actually happened with it?

[Savoia]

'𝑫𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕?' — Perhaps XB has an idea, or maybe knows someone who could find out?

[Zishelix]

Gazelle Display Team Formation Flying

[Savoia]

SA341C G-SIVJ (WA2012) as seen at Sleap Airfield on 10th September 2022 (Photo by Andrew Goldsmith)




SA342MV F-MGAX (4018) NFI

'Bendy blades'.

[Zishelix]

UK Army Gazelle sling load supplies NFI



Btw, this photo has caught the main rotor blades in perfect alignment.




SA341G(S) N150SF (1584) at Skagit Airport in Burlington, Washington State, NFI

[Zishelix]

Soko's H-45 c/n 146 of Bosnian Air Force, NFI

[Zishelix]

SA341G c/n 1019 D-HARI at Le Bourget in June 1975 (Paul Bannwarth Collection)

[Savoia]

Nice one Zis! 👍

[Zishelix]

SA342J c/n 1095 D-HOPL at Rhein Main in March 1996 (Photo: Peter Zastrow)

[Zishelix]

A promo leaflet from 1980's



My understanding is that this configuration featuring 6 HOT missiles, while within the capability of the Astazou XIV, nonetheless affected the aircraft's performance, notably it's manoeuvrability and fuel consumption and so the 2x2 option was chosen instead.

[Rotorspot]

G-CDNO SA341B, c/n 1385, cancelled 05-Oct-2022 on export to South Africa

G-CMJT SA341B, c/n 1941, cancelled 05-Oct-2022 on export to South Africa

N341GL SA341G, c/n 1413 restored to US register on 04-Oct-2022, registered to Amphib Inc, Lake Zurich (USA)

CN-AID SA342L, c/n 1360, original test registration identified as F-WIPB

[Savoia]

Grazie tante Jos! 👍

[Savoia]

SA341F2 N497MM (1384) as seen Stateside NFI




SA341D G-CBJZ (WA1734) as seen at Southend Rochford on 29th September 2022 (Photo by John Coleman)

[Zishelix]

SA342M OO-XDT (4103) at Brustem Airfield in Belgium (Photo: Georges Riga)






British Army WA341B c/n 1351 XX409

[Zishelix]

Solid packed cabin of an ALAT SA342M

[Savoia]

SA342L 241 (1854) as seen at RAF Cottesmore on 26th July 2001 (Photo by Colin Cooke)

[Zishelix]

SA342L serial 237 (c/n 1772) was delivered to the Irish Air Force in December 1979. Served with Helicopter School Squadron, No. 3 Support Wing as an advanced helicopter crew trainer until damaged in an accident on 16 August 2002. Due to engine failure during low-level flight force-landed into a field near Baldonnel and substantially damaged. The crew were fortunately not injured.



By the way, anybody knows whether her remains are still at Baldonnel's Fire Ground?

[Savoia]

'𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒕 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍'𝒔 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅?' — Perhaps Joe will know.

[md600driver]

'𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒕 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍'𝒔 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅?' — Perhaps Joe will know.

When I bought 241 I tried to buy her but all the military wanted to do was to use her on the fire ground. If I had managed to buy her she would have been flying again by now

[Zishelix]

Thanks for info. Sad to hear among all wrecks and w/o's they picked an Gazelle to vanish in flames

[Zishelix]

SA342M 3512/ADA taking off at Abéché, Chad in August 2008 (Photo: Stephan de Bruijn)



The French Army Aviation (ALAT) ran a detachment consisting of Gazelles and Pumas named ALAT Det Tchad, provided reconnaissance and close air support to the European Union Force Chad/CAR mission in eastern Chad.

[Fabrice]

Actually it was the Detalat EUFOR, named after the UE mission in the Three Borders area (Chad/CAR/Sudan) and which lasted for one year. Another long standing unit, based in N'Djamena, was the Detalat Epervier.

[Zishelix]

Fabrice, much appreciate your clarification!

[Zishelix]

SA342L L815 c/n 1822 at Rayak AB, Lebanon in 2010 (Photo: Stefan Goossens)

[Rotorspot]

Thanks for posting. According to various sources the correct c/n should be 1820.

[Savoia]

Sì, 1820 is also what I have for L-815.

[Zishelix]

Oops, mistype... #1820 indeed. Thnx for the correction guys

[Rotorspot]

New Entry on US Register

N342WW SA342J, c/n 1695, ex 2-WILD, D-HOPP. Registered 12-Oct-2022 to Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc Trustee, UK.

[Savoia]

Grazie Jos! 👍

[Zishelix]

So grateful for kindly shared updates, Jos!

[Savoia]

SA341B ZB671 (WA1958) as seen at RAF Northolt on 13th October 2022 (Photo by Martin Hodges)




SA342M F-MGBC as seen in Sainte-Baume, Bouches-du-Rhône and Var on 21st April 2015 (Photo by Frédéric)

[Zishelix]

Can anyone assist with the identity of this UK Army Gazelle?

[Zishelix]

I came across this patch and wondering does this 'Old Generation' reefers to the machines the operate or the Squadron's staff

[Savoia]

I think it refers to both!

[Savoia]

Some more Gaz memorabilia from EHRA3




SA341G(S) YU-HVZ (1295)as seen at Aéroport de Rennes–Saint-Jacques in France NFI