Announcement

**Savoia** · 13th February 2016, 09:09

Yugoslav Air Force SA341H (cn 100) 721 as seen during Exercise 'Golija' in 1987

**Savoia** · 13th February 2016, 09:35

SA342J HA-LFH (cn 1775) as seen at Ostend's Bruges Airport on 28th June 2015 (Photo: Luc Van Belleghem)

Steve & Co. either on their way to, or returning from, Benegaz 2015.

**Savoia** · 13th February 2016, 09:43

L-R: Jean Marie Besse, Denis Prost, Jean Boulet and René Mouille as seen in 1971 (Photo: Daniel Liron)

This photo was quite possibly taken in May of 1971 when on the 13-14th Besse and Post broke two world speed records with the Gazelle. Zis will have to remind me (once again) which aircraft they used, as this is likely to be the one which appears in the above shot.

I don't think I would be overstating matters by saying that between them, these four men pretty much shaped the European helicopter manufacturing industry for the better part of two decades.

**Zishelix** · 13th February 2016, 20:12

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

Zis will have to remind me (once again) which aircraft they used,...

Of course, see here.

**Savoia** · 14th February 2016, 08:57

Gazelle to be Replaced in New French 4th Helicopter Brigade

The French Army Air Corps is well on the way to creating a fourth helicopter brigade and has been upgraded to a more integrated aviation command, Army Maj. Gen. Olivier de la Motte said Feb. 12.

The Army aviation command will draw on 5,000 personnel and be backed with a working budget of €1.2 billion (us $1.4 billion), he told a conference on air-land combat.

Among projects are upgrade of the Tiger attack helicopter to Mark 2 and 3, NH90 Caiman helicopter adapted for the special forces, and a light joint helicopter to replace the Gazelle.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/def...ance/80290354/

And in other news ..

Helihub Expanding into China

Today we are pleased to announce that we are going to start regular monthly reporting from China, to include a complete list of helicopters added to, or removed from the local register. HeliHub.com is working in association with Rotorspot.nl to bring readers this data.

http://helihub.com/2016/02/12/helihu...ds-into-china/

Our congratulations to both Jeremy and Jos. Keep up the great work guys.

**Zishelix** · 15th February 2016, 08:15

Top equipped, nice looking and probably one of the most expensive Gazelle instrument panels

"Stretched" SA.342J s/n 1059 (F-GKRF, now F-HGUN) photographed at Geneva International in August 22nd, 2003. (Photo: Jerome Mervelet)

Can't find any fresh photo of the subject, sorry.

**Savoia** · 16th February 2016, 18:28

Nice one Zis.

I wonder if someone has installed an all-glass Gaz panel?

In the meantime ..

SA341G G-WDEV (cn WA1098) over County Offaly, Ireland

**Savoia** · 17th February 2016, 11:01

F-BVUI

Helicap SA341G F-BVUI (cn 1122) as seen in the French Alps in August 1978 (Photo: Frédéric Rolland)

On page 55 we saw the rear view of this craft from this same occasion. Seen in this photo is Frédéric's father, and F-BVUI's pilot that day, Patrick Rolland (1951-1988).

**Savoia** · 17th February 2016, 11:04

Gaz Brochures

Because I know Zis enjoys such things, and also given that F-ZWRH (the first 341 prototype) was mentioned above in the photo with Aérospatiale's 'dream team'.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/SUD-AVIATION-...YAAOSwaA5Wkvow

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/SUD-AVIATION-...8AAOSwHaBWkvpq

**Helipixman** · 17th February 2016, 17:10

G-DFKI Change of Ownership

G-DFKI was registered yesterday to a new owner, David John Fravigar (16.2.16).

He is not new to helicopters and has previously owned G-CCMU, a Rotorway Exec, and G-DEXT, currently registered as G-GDJF, an R44 Raven II.

It is rumoured he has also had some connection with G-CDNO, another Lincolnshire-based Gazelle.

Helipixman

**Zishelix** · 18th February 2016, 07:44

G-DFKI at Breighton in September, 20th, 2015 (Photo: Philip L Jackson)

**Savoia** · 20th February 2016, 09:57

French soldiers involved in ‘Operation Barkhane’ stand in front of an SA342 at a military base in Gao, northern Mali, on 19th February 2016, following a visit by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian

**Savoia** · 21st February 2016, 09:22

XX380

Royal Marines SA341B XX380 (cn 1268)

Sadly no details accompanying this shot but, by the look of it, taken over Cyprus. We've seen a fair bit of 380 on this thread including shots of her in Norway. She also served in Iraq and in the Netherlands, and has been associated with 847 Squadron and 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron.

**Zishelix** · 22nd February 2016, 10:27

SA.341G (s/n 1584) of Southern Aircraft Consultancy seen at Cheltenham Racecourse in March 10th, 2015 (Photo: Ray Barber)

**Vernon Howell** · 23rd February 2016, 05:02

Savoia asked about a Gazelle with a glass instrument panel.

Herewith is a photo of ZU-RZR's panel:

**Zishelix** · 23rd February 2016, 07:22

Welcome aboard, Vernon!

I shall ask Sav if he can assist you in posting a larger resolution photo, but what I know is that photos uploaded directly onto Aviafora only show as 'thumbnails', for larger size the photo must be hosted externally then pasted into the post.

See photo posting instructions here.

**Zishelix** · 23rd February 2016, 07:47

Speaking of the 'stretched' N150SF, she previously flew as N158SF when she belonged to the Callaway Engineering Co. where she replaced a 'classic' SA.341G, N223DP (s/n 1074). N223DP then became HA-LFB which was tragically lost in an accident in March 2011.

Shown above is Mr. Callaway's (yes, the Callaway of Callaway Cars!) SA.341G N223DP. It seems he has a taste for good looking machines!

**Savoia** · 24th February 2016, 09:59

Dear Vernon

Adding my welcome to that of Zishelix.

Many thanks for the shot of RZR's panel, much appreciated!

Regards

Sav

ZU-RZR (The Razor)

SA342L ZU-RZR (cn 1854) as seen in South Africa in February 2016

SA342L ZU-RZR (cn 1854) as seen in South Africa in February 2016

This is of course ex-Crabtree Gazelle HA-LFQ (formerly Irish Air Corps '241') recently seen in South Africa during a Volkswagen promotional event.

Click here to see a video of ZU-RZR taking-off.

(The format of the above-linked video is one I am unfamiliar with, and it seems that one must 'hover' one's mouse over the image displayed on the page in order to play the video).

**Zishelix** · 25th February 2016, 07:28

As Sav already mention, ZU-RZR began its flying career as Irish Air Corp's „241“ and was attached to the 3rd Training Wing at Baldonnel. Withdrawn from military service during 2005 and sold on civil market next year.

Seen at Baldonnel in March 24th, 2004 (Photo: Frank Graelish)

I very much like the Gazelle inscription and serial no. painted on the tail fin, and I am sure it would look equally good on her new livery also!

**Savoia** · 25th February 2016, 09:28

25 Years Ago Today ..

A Kuwaiti Air Force SA342L oversees the movement of Iraqi prisoners of war, across a stream in southeastern Kuwait, on 25th February 1991, during Gulf War I

And with the above reminiscence comes an opportunity to take a look at a few more Kuwaiti Gazelles:

KAF SA342L '514'

KAF SA342L '521'

KAF SA342L '501' plus one

KAF SA342L '501'

KAF SA342L's - '512' in the foreground and wearing a new (seemingly unwrapped) sand filter

Zis, do you happen to know whether in recent years the KAF have moved from their 'grey coats' to the camouflage livery shown in the last two photos?

**Zishelix** · 25th February 2016, 10:11

Nice one Sav!

Sadly, I'm not sure when the Kuwaiti machines changed their livery.

More from Kuwait

Below is a scanned image of a pair of KAF's SA.342Ks from an issue of Air Forces Monthly (3/03):

**md600driver** · 25th February 2016, 18:47

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

Btw, do you know approximately how many Gazelles the IAC operated?

IAC had 2 Gazelles, 237 and 241, both 342L1 models.

237 crashed as a result of an engine failure, and I saw her remains at Baldonell when I picked up 241. I believe 237 was doomed for the fire dump to be used for fire practice.

**Savoia** · 26th February 2016, 08:18

Montenegrin Air Force May be Planning to Replace Gazelles

Montenegro's ministry of defence announced yesterday their intention to sell a number of aircraft, specifically their UTVA-75 and Soko G-4 trainers.

However, the statement also makes reference to the country's Gazelle helicopters citing their limited all weather and night flying capability. The statement goes on to say that the sale of the air force trainers will be used to fund the purchase of new medium-weight multi-purpose helicopters, presumably to replace their Gazelles.

http://www.gov.me/en/News/158174/Mon...aircrafts.html

**Savoia** · 26th February 2016, 13:13

Originally posted by md600driver View Post

IAC had 2 Gazelles, 237 and 241, both 342L1 models.

Irish Air Corps SA342L '237' (cn 1772) as seen in July 1987 (Photo: Derek Gaynor)

**Savoia** · 28th February 2016, 07:46

SA341B G-ZZLE (cn WA1402) ex-XX436 as seen at the Dawlish Air Show in 2015 (Photo: Bob Sharples)

Army Air Corps SA341B ZB665 (cn WA1932) as seen on 21st June 2015 (Photo: Alun Jones)

SA341B ZB679 (cn WA1982) as seen at Swansea Airport in Wales on 28th February 2016 (Photo: Derek Flewin)

**Zishelix** · 29th February 2016, 07:48

Nice b/w image of Heli-Air's SA.341G F-BVVU (s/n 1142) at Paris - Issy Les Moulineaux Heliport on May 30th, 1975
(Photo: Mick Bajcar)

Sadly, damaged beyond repair in an accident in August 1982.

**xbdt** · 29th February 2016, 19:28

More from ..

FFWD to the Gazelles from 39:00

**Zishelix** · 29th February 2016, 20:39

What a nice herd of Gazelles!

Interesting video, thanks XB!

This remind me to ask again – any plans for 'Gazelle Fly-In 2016'?

**Savoia** · 1st March 2016, 10:50

Polizei Niedersachsen SA342J D-HOPL (cn 1095) as seen at Hannover in 2008 (Photo: Ian Jenkins)

**Savoia** · 1st March 2016, 19:47

Montenegro Update

Following the news we brought last week (see above) regarding the disposal of air assets by the Montenegrin Air Force, Flight International have today run the story, adding some additional details, notably:

According to the defence plan, the “A priority” for Montenegro is two medium multirole helicopters, an acquisition process for which is expected to start this year and finish in 2018.

After this, four Soko Gazelle helicopters are set to be sold and, between 2019 and 2023, overhaul and modernisation of the remaining Gazelle fleet is expected.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...urns-t-422594/

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