Announcement

**Savoia** · 11th April 2016, 21:57

SAF Gaz by Zarko Skoko

Can anyone verify whether the gap displayed along the top of the engine cowling is normal?

Zis, is this a 341 or a 342 please.

**dunstan** · 12th April 2016, 06:34

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

Can anyone verify whether the gap displayed along the top of the engine cowling is normal?

I would say it looks about right.

The hinge is a type of cast bracket with a pip pin hole on either side and it needs room to hinge up, thus if the gap was completely closed the cowl might not be able to swing up — that's if my ole memory is correct, for it's been a while.

DD, Calif.

**Zishelix** · 12th April 2016, 08:01

Thanks for your kind explanation, Dunstan! Welcome aboard as well!

By the way, do you by any chance have any Vought (VHC) Gazelle photo from the '70s?

**Savoia** · 12th April 2016, 10:09

Dear Dunstan

A warm welcome to Aviafora, as Zis has said, great to have you aboard and also see more 'Gazellers' joining from the US.

Thank you too for your comments regarding the engine cowling latches and 'gap', its not an angle we see too often.

Regards

Sav

SA342J YU-HES (cn 1057) as seen at Cromer Northrepps Airfield on 2nd April 2016 (Photo: Flying Ants)

SA341B XX453 (cn WA1454) as seen at Salisbury Plains Training Area on 31st March 2016 (Photo: Liam Daniels)

On secondment to QinetiQ from the Army Air Corps.

Sporting new colours for the boys at Boscombe Down!

**Savoia** · 12th April 2016, 18:22

Grazie FS!

Russ Gaz

Ilya Sivchenko seen with RA-2184G (cn 1034) in Vladivostok, April 2016

Bourne Park

SA341C G-SIVJ (cn WA2012) as seen at Bourne Park on 25th February 2016 (Photo: Andrew Morley)

Ex-ZB649 arriving for maintenance at Falcon Aviation Bourne Park.

**Helipixman** · 12th April 2016, 18:56

QINETIQ

They seem to operate Gazelle helicopters as ETPS (Empire Test Pilots School) and RWTES (Rotary Wing Test & Evaluation Squadron)

The fleet seems to have been:-

XX372 now at Bourne Park
XX435 stripped for spares at Boscombe Down
XX449 RWTES
XX453 RWTES
XZ308 for spares use at Boscombe Down
XZ936 Accident 2.6.14 and stored at Boscombe Down
XZ939 ETPS
ZB625 ETPS

Helipixman

**Savoia** · 13th April 2016, 09:41

I am reposting Elipix's 'Griffair Gazelles' as the original post came at the end of the previous page and some may have therefore missed this - plus, this serves as a great opportunity to take another peek at Elipix's photos!

Just to recap, we posted a 'lone Gazelle' a couple of weeks back (G-RIFF) but Elipix uncovered a total of three UK-registered Griffair Gazelles plus a fourth on the Yugo reg, YU-HDL!

This craft was previously owned by Specialist flying training and registered as G-BLAN which was bought by SFT in 1983.

G-RIFA was originally G-BBHU which was registered to Westland in 1973 and is also an ex-SFT bird having been bought by them in 1985.

G-RIFC yes, you guessed it, she is also an ex-SFT bird, originally registered as G-SFTD in 1982.

Once again, our great thanks to Elipix for uncovering these photos and associated details.

**Savoia** · 13th April 2016, 13:38

Highland Gazelles

Gazelle over the Scottish Highlands, February 2016 (Photo: Lee Burling)

This was apparently a ferry flight. Still trying to discover which Gaz this is.

**Savoia** · 13th April 2016, 20:11

AD No.: 2016-0073-E
Issued: 13 April 2016

Type/model designation(s): SA341G, SA342J

Manufacturer(s): Sud Aviation, Aérospatiale.
Applicability: SA 341 G and SA 342 J helicopters, all manufacturer serial numbers.

Reason:
Two cases have been reported of failure of a landing gear rear cross-tube on SA 341 and SA 342 type helicopters during maintenance and towing operations. These failures caused the helicopters to drop or tip over. Analysis revealed that an excessive hardness of the cross-tube material, combined with inter-granular corrosion initiation, may affect the structural integrity of the rear cross-tube.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of a cross-tube, leading to dropping or tipping over of the helicopter, possibly resulting in injury to occupants or people on the ground.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus Helicopters (AH) issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) n°SA341/342-32.08 providing instructions for inspecting the hardness of the landing gear rear cross-tube and replacing non-conforming rear cross-tubes.

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):
Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

Note 1: The landing gear rear cross-tubes affected by this AD are identified by Part Number (P/N) 341A415201.00 or P/N 341A415201.01.

(1) Within 5 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, determine the P/N of the landing gear rear cross-tube installed on the helicopter. A maintenance records check is acceptable to make this determination, provided those records can be relied upon for that purpose.

(2) If, during the identification as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, it is determined that an affected P/N rear cross-tube (see Note 1 of this AD) is installed on the helicopter, before next flight, install a limitation placard on the instrument panel, in full view of the pilots , as shown in Table 1 of this AD, in accordance with the instructions of AH ASB n° SA341/342-32.08, amend the applicable Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to incorporate the same limitation, inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the helicopter accordingly.

Table 1 – Limitation Placard

AUTOROTATION TRAINING FLIGHTS ARE PROHIBITED

Inserting a copy of this AD into the applicable RFM is an acceptable method to comply with the RFM change required by paragraph (2) of this AD.

To read the remainder of this AD, including additional conditions, click on the link below.

Airworthiness Directive 2016-0073-E :
Landing Gear/Rear Cross-Tube—Inspection/Replacement: http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2016-0073-E

**md600driver** · 13th April 2016, 23:34

Originally posted by Helipixman View Post

YU-HDL did briefly wear the marks 4O-HJS (pictures have been on Aviafora before). It was for sale through SKYDOCK a company owned by Richard Briggs. He has had many helicopters, mainly Hughes 500s.

The trail has gone cold on this machine, the website www.skydock.co.uk shows it as sold... anyone know who to ?

Richard sold this aircraft, I believe to someone from Russia. Although the markings were painted on her fuselage, 4O-HJS was never actually registered with these numbers, so she was never therefore de-registered. Griffair operated this aircraft but did not own it. She was sold by her owner to Richard Briggs through auction.

**Savoia** · 14th April 2016, 10:21

ALAT GAZ

ALAT Gazelles refuelling from a Puma in Mali

**Zishelix** · 14th April 2016, 11:48

It looks as if the French Army will soon commission a new gun for their Gazelles.

Back to ideas from 70's I'd say!

Looking for a T-shirt? Check-out the latest 'Gazelle-wear'.

https://www.moosejam-tactical.co.uk/...lle-1-t-shirt/

**md600driver** · 14th April 2016, 16:05

URGENT READ THIS !!

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

AD No.: 2016-0073-E
Issued: 13 April 2016

Type/model designation(s): SA341G, SA342J

Airworthiness Directive 2016-0073-E :
Landing Gear/Rear Cross-Tube—Inspection/Replacement: http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2016-0073-E

Gazelle owners/operators, you need to act on this directive. I've just inspected one of mine and found a great big crack in it!

However, trying to find the part number is not altogether straightforward. On some aircraft it is etched by hand on the end face, while on others it is painted/printed on the round section. Does anyone know of any other places to look?

The one I've just inspected is definitely for the scrap bin!

**md600driver** · 14th April 2016, 18:35

Originally posted by Fene Strong View Post

If you can't see the number (which will be the case for most) you will end up carrying out a hardness test to tell if you have a .00 or .01 fitted. I believe this does not affect .02 or .03 part numbers which were used after 1976. If I had a post 'issue' cross tube I would just fit it, I think this gets rid of the 'issue'.

I would agree with that, but I just wondered if mine was a .02 or a .03 which had failed, as this helicopter is later than 1976 and should be fitted with .02 or .03 tubes.

**HAELO** · 15th April 2016, 09:39

Zishelix enquired about seeing the new branding which I've added to HA-LFH, so I've posted some photos below.

This branding shows the HAELO logo which represents a charity of mine. This arrangement is temporary however, as I plan to repaint the aircraft later in the year.

Adrian

Here are a few more stills from when the branding was added:

**HAELO** · 15th April 2016, 18:31

Here's a clip of a start and hover-taxi at Church Fenton:

**Zishelix** · 15th April 2016, 20:52

SA.341G (s/n 1136) G-GAZI at Cheltenham Racecourse Heliport in March 16th, 2007 (Photo: Graham Wasey)

And the same bird seen at Wolverhampton (Halfpenny Green) in January 17th, 2011 by Robert Beaver

**Savoia** · 16th April 2016, 09:44

~ Bretagne ~

SA341D G-CBSI (cn 1736) as seen at Cromer Northrepps Airfield on 10th April 2016 (Photo: Graham Reeve) Ex-XZ934

SA341G G-EZEL (cn 1073) as seen at Redhill on 10th April 2016 (Photo: Trevor Warne)

Formerly the Italian Gazelle .. I-ATOM, and before that G-BAZL of Twyford Moors, Southampton (that was in the mid-70s').

~ France ~

N624EL 'Nellie'

SA341G(S) N624EL (cn 1094) as seen at Issy-les-Moulineaux, Paris on 13th April 2016 (Photo: Paul Marais-Hayer)

**Zishelix** · 17th April 2016, 20:02

Gazelle on a stick!

Steve's HA-LFA at Budapest Prestige Heliport in July 29th, 2012 (Photo: Forró Ádám)

**Savoia** · 18th April 2016, 10:25

Caribbean Gazelle

ALAT Gazelle landing aboard the French helicopter carrier 'Jeanne d'Arc' on 22nd March 2010 inbound from the island of Martinique

**Rotorspot** · 18th April 2016, 11:03

New South African Gazelles

Getting pretty crowded down there!

Registered in March 2016:

ZU-RLU SA341G (1097) European South African Chamber of Commerce P/L; ex HA-LFA, 4X-BHG, G-BLAO, N37748
ZU-ROC SA341F2 (1400) Aerospatiale SA34X P/L; ex N140GZ, 1400 (Fr.Mil)
ZU-RTB SA341F2 (1565) Aerospatiale SA34X P/L; ex N565GZ, 1565 (Fr.Mil)

Jos

**Savoia** · 19th April 2016, 11:00

Egyptian Gaz

Jos wrote: What I have learned recently is that the Arab serials should be read left to right (I know, it sounds crazy, given that they write right to left). Having said that, the serial thus is 3407, which fits in the sequence of known serials like 3405 (c/n 1496) and 3406.

Zis, it seems as if Jos has resolved the registration 'mystery'.

Miscellaneous Gaz

YU-HPZ with accessories

Gaz Patch for Zis!

T/R Driveshaft Clearance

The driveshaft seems to pass reasonably close to the oil cooler pipe? In fact the clearances all round seem to be fairly limited. I suppose this is why some aircraft experience chaffing on the inside of the t/r driveshaft cover?

**Savoia** · 19th April 2016, 11:20

SA341C ZU-HBH (cn WA1418) as seen in Magaliesburg South Africa on 26th November 2014 (Photo: Justin Kennerley)

**Savoia** · 20th April 2016, 10:07

N2TV

We've posted a couple shots now of this Gaz, and here she is again, but from a new perspective. Will probably post a 'N2TV Compilation' in the near future.

SA341G(S) N2TV (cn 1392) in flight in the United States c. 1990's

In 2000 this craft became a Yorkshire-based-bird flying as G-BZLA. She is still in the UK, now flying as HA-PJB and lives near Gatwick Airport.

Note the interesting combination of a missing front skid fairing while the rear fairing remains installed.

**Rotorspot** · 20th April 2016, 16:28

Gazelle with Mysterious French Registration

I have been shown a poor quality picture of c/n 1087, apparently taken before delivery as F-BVEI to Electricité de France. The registration on the lower fuselage definitely seems to read F-MTZR. This is not logical however as test registrations for civil helicopters normally start with F-W (F-M is reserved as call signs for the military).

In a database of a well-respected expert in Aerospatiale/Eurocopter/Airbus Helicopters, F-WMTZ is mentioned as the test registration. Maybe F-MTZR was applied for a special occasion. Does anyone have any more information?

Jos.

**md600driver** · 20th April 2016, 21:32

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

Elipix, if these Ecuadorian Gazelles are not on the SA register, do you think they are being used for spare parts?

They are all being overhauled. Some owners bought 2, one will definitely fly, the other may take a lot longer. I will be seeing their progress in a few weeks in SA. Sorry no photos.

**md600driver** · 20th April 2016, 21:34

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

Gaz Patch for Zis!

Nice patch, wouldn't mind getting some made. Does anyone know who owns the rights to it?

Steve

**Savoia** · 21st April 2016, 10:13

G-OGAZ

Another shot of G-OGAZ during her recent visit to Prestwick, but from a new angle and by a different photographer:

SA341G(S) G-OGAZ (cn 1274) as seen at Prestwick Airport on 8th April 2016 (Photo: Allan Durward)

To see the previous photo, click here.

**Savoia** · 22nd April 2016, 09:59

SA342J -PTEC (cn 001) as seen at Aeroporto di Sassuolo, Modena on 17th October 2015

**md600driver** · 22nd April 2016, 19:22

Originally posted by Fene Strong View Post

Adrian, What is the additional vent for on the engine cowling, not seen this before, or maybe not been paying attention! HA-ELO would look 'Cool'

It's because that is an 342J which has a different engine with a dump valve on the side.

Steve

Announcement

Shrieking Gazelles

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