WA.341C G-ZZLE nicknamed "Gordon" taking part at the 2015 Dawlish Airshow
Photo by Mark Kwiatkowski. August 22nd, 2015.
Photo by Mark Kwiatkowski. August 22nd, 2015.
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Irish Air Corps SA342L '241' (cn 1854) as seen at Baldonnel Aerodrome in December 2005 (Photo: Frank Grealish)
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As Elipix has mentioned, G-BLAN become G-RIFF which sadly perished in 1990.Originally posted by Helipixman View Post
G-BLAN
G-BLAN SA341G (1063) ex-F-WTNT, N6958 imported by Specialist Flying Training and registered to them on 16th November 1983. Became G-RIFF and crashed at Hall Lane Farm, Runcorn on 7th March 1990.
An excerpt from the accident report reads:
Always so easy to comment on these situations with the benefit of hindsight but .. having acknowledged "some form of tail rotor malfunction" would it not have been an advisable precaution to plan for a run-on as opposed to bringing the craft into a hover?During a flight from Burton-on-Trent to Warrington, when in the area of Crewe and at an altitude of 2000ft, the pilot experienced a sudden change in the position of the yaw pedals and realised that he had some form of tail rotor malfunction. However, as he could maintain the helicopter in straight and level flight, albeit with the right skid low, the decision was made to continue in the normal manner for an into wind approach to the hover but, as power was increased, the pilot realised that he had no tail rotor control. The helicopter began to yaw to the left, and then completed four or five rotations before striking the ground and rolling over.
Examination of the aircraft established that the tail rotor drive shaft had failed at a position where it passed through a cutout in the rear of the main rotor gearbox fairing. The reason for this failure was that the rear of the right side fairing had been bearing against it as a result of a failure of the fairing itself. The forward two thirds of this fairing was missing, having detached from the helicopter in flight. This had allowed the leading edge of the rear portion to rotate outboard and force its trailing edge against the shaft.
Some instructors recommend that in such circumstances one should reduce speed and carry out an 'effectiveness check' by depressing each pedal in turn (while maintaining forward flight at reduced speed) in order to determine whether tail rotor control remains available.
While on the matter of accidents and fairings, in the accident report for HA-LFB it reads:
This (according to the AAIB) was non-accident related 'damage' which was discovered as part of their assessment of the overall condition of the aircraft.Evidence was found of chafing between the tail rotor drive shaft and its covers and between the hydraulic pipes for the tail rotor actuator and sections of the airframe.
Maybe one of our Gazelle engineers could explain whether the Gaz tail rotor driveshaft cover sits very closely to the driveshaft itself? Regarding the hydraulic pipes mentioned above, do these not rest on some sort of padded support at intervals along the tailboom especially to prevent chafing?Comment
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It is possible to shear the rear drive shaft when the rear slot of the two MGB covers remain inside the covers instead of latched properly in place. On later 341 and 342 there is an additional protection to prevent this. -
Grazie XB. Sounds like it would be a good modification to have on all Gazelles.
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The hydraulic pipes are held by 'P' clips along the tailboom and then once through the tail unit held by brackets which hydraulic unions pass through to connect the pipes together. With regards to clearances there is a standard 3mm minimum radial clearance between rotating parts and fairings, pass through holes etc. This 3mm clearance also applies to the connecting shaft going through to the tail rotor servo.Comment
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Grazie FS!
For me this largely answers the question, inasmuch as the clearance on the JetRanger and Ecureuil t/r driveshaft cover and the flanges supporting the driveshaft itself, is certainly more than 3mm.
Bell OH-58 Kiowa showing exposed tail rotor driveshaft
The tail rotor driveshaft cover sits on top of the flared end-piece of the cowling in front of the driveshaft, giving considerably more than 3mm clearance
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To illustrate his comment in the post #1743, Avia member XB has kindly provide us with these pics:
1. With cowling latch properly closed:
2. Cowling latch undone and making contact with tail rotor driveshaft:
3. Cowlings closed but with undone latch still inside:
Thanks XB for this clarification!
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G-RIFF
Griffair's SA341G G-RIFF (cn 1063) as seen at Manchester's Barton Aerodrome on 22nd May 1988 (Photo: Mike Hopwood)
Seen here just three months after her purchase by Griffair. Does anyone have any info about Griffair?
Aside from the prototypes, I think this is the first example I have seen where the skylights are fully painted-over. It's not an option I would personally select, as the ability to pick-up visual cues while in the turn is something I value; especially in low light/poor visibility conditions when the onset of disorientation can, in some circumstances, rapidly sneak-up on you.
Not sure if I'm completely sold on the suede instrument panel covering either but, apart from that, she looks wonderful!
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Multi-Gaz Departure from Prestige Heliport, Budapest
We may have 'done' this before (as there as several videos from this heliport) and if that's the case, my apologies.
Still, it's not a bad way to start the day, to see a few Gazelles (and an Alouette II) taking-off and landing.
In order of departure: HA-LFY, HA-PPE, HA-LFA and HA-LFOComment
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Before present registration in South Africa (ZU-ROO) SA.341G s/n 1301 G-HTPS was Steve's HA-LFM. Seen here as camera ship at Fairford RIAT 1991:
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Exeter Air Cadets Go Gazelling at AAC Middle Wallop
http://atcdevsom.org.uk/category/13-sqn-middle-wallop/Members of 13 (City of Exeter) Squadron Air Training Corps recently enjoyed a visit to the Headquarters of the Army Air Corps (AAC) as part of their training programme.
Air Cadets from Exeter's 13 Squadron Air Training Corps get to go 'Gazelling' over the Salisbury Plains Training Area courtesy of a Middle Wallop based Army Air Corps Gazelle
Cadets and Staff from the Wyvern Barracks based unit travelled to Middle Wallop Airfield in Hampshire. The day started with a look at a Gazelle AH1 helicopter with 7 Regiments Conversion Flight, the unit that trains British Army pilots to fly the Gazelle. Afterwards they were given a safety brief before being spit into groups of four & enjoyed a fantastic 25 minute flight in the aircraft round the Salisbury Plain Training Area.
Sadly, this news comes on the back of some deeply disappointing news, also from the UK, wherein the powers at be have decided to axe more than half the country's glider squadrons.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...rons-axed.htmlComment
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More American Gazelles Headed for South Africa
N140GZ (c/n 1400) and N565GZ (c/n 1565) both SA341F2's, have been cancelled for export to South Africa on 16-Mar-2016.
I will keep an eye out for their new registrations.
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SA341C ZU-HBH (cn WA1418) as seen at Zandspruit Bush & Aero Estate, in Hoedspruit, South Africa (Photo: Chris Schutte)
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CN: 1277
SA341G G-WMAN (cn 1277) as seen at Newtownards Aerodrome in Northern Ireland in June 2003 (Photo: James Wightman)
Once registered in South Africa as ZS-HUR, but now flying in Hungary as HA-LFJ.
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Check out the stirring speech delivered by the Hungarian Prime Minister setting-out the truth of what is happening in Europe.
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Viviane Start and Depart Simulation
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Syrian Forces in action against ISIS in Palmyra
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SA341B G-CDNO (cn 1385) as seen at Cromer Northrepps Airfield in Norfolk on 25th March 2016 (Photo: Graham Reeve)Comment
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The Gazelle Squadron Display Team's "Ginger" (G-CBSK) at the RAF Northolt Night Photocall on March 17th, 2016 (Photo: Mark Kwiatkowski)
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We already have a photo of VH-VAS here but not from this angle:
Millennium Helicopters Gazelle at Melbourne Moorabbin Airport on March 8th, 2008 (Photo: Christopher Roche)Comment
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Lovely shot there Zis. Jos has this craft as becoming HA-LFE - any idea where she is now? -
When looking for her location I came across this webpage with Hungarian Gazelle pictures:
http://www.hidroplannord.hu/english/...html?gals_id=2
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What a nice find Jos, some lovely photos there, bravo!
SA341G HA-LFE (cn 1527) as seen in Hungary (Photo: via Jos/Rotorspot)
It seems then that ex-VH-VAS is flying in Hungary and wearing the exact same colour as the late HA-LFB.Comment
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G-UZEL
SA341G G-UZEL (cn 1413) at an unknown location (no further details)Comment
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Well done Zis. You have an excellent memory of items posted on the thread! Given the similar hue of the grass I would say it is almost certainly pictured at Weston Heli Days as with Elipix's shot. Perhaps from the 90's - 00's? -
Honestly, it was more Google than my memory
Beside the ground (dry grass) rest of the place looks quite different, so I'm not sure whether the photo was really taken at Weston-super-Mare
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Here's a photo of my new bird (which I bought from Steve) at RAF Church Fenton.
Adrian
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Welcome aboard Adrian!
Always a pleasure to see new Gazelle owners on the forum.
So, Tweety Bird (HA-LFH) is with you now? Congrats!Comment
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Dear Adrian
A warm welcome indeed!
Glad to see that 'Tweety Bird' has found a new home .. and in such nostalgic surroundings!
I am wondering whether she will remain as 'Tweety Bird' or perhaps morph into a 'Black Adder'!
Rgds
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LFE was owned by the late Mark Weir. He liked this colour so much that he painted both LFB and LFE with this shade of green.Originally posted by Savoia View PostWhat a nice find Jos, some lovely photos there, bravo!
SA341G HA-LFE (cn 1527) as seen in Hungary (Photo: via Jos/Rotorspot)
It seems then that ex-VH-VAS is flying in Hungary and wearing the exact same colour as the late HA-LFB.Comment
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This does not look like Weston as there is no big towers there but I think I recognise someone in the background I will askOriginally posted by Savoia View PostG-UZEL
SA341G G-UZEL (cn 1413) at an unknown location (no further details)Last edited by md600driver; 2nd April 2016, 06:02.Comment
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