Announcement

**Savoia** · 13th June 2016, 09:10

G-CBGZ

SA341C G-CBGZ (cn WA1915 or 1923, take your pick) as seen at North Coates Airfield on 7th May 2016 (Photo: Simon Thomas)

Jos/Zis .. others, do you know the actual construction number for this aircraft for, as Fene Strong pointed out on the previous page, there is some ambiguity. Jos has her listed as 1923 on Rotorspot while the CAA website has her down as 1915.

Elsewhere On Aviafora:

N48284 wrote: Looking at my Dad's log, the CFS aircraft on the Sunday were XW870/F, XW898/G, XX396/N, XW910/K, XX374/L and XX406/P. Also, looking at the flying display programme 'The Gazelles' were there displaying on both days.

Nice confirmation there Andy, grazie!

Will add this to my photo notes. Do you have the dates of that weekend btw? Out of interest (and just to confirm) was your father in the RAF?

Savoia wrote: Presumably they did have some sort of airframe de-icing procedure for Gaz ops derived from their numerous cold weather exercises in Norway.

Fene Strong replied: In Norway the aircraft were covered when not in use and then a heater blew warm air under the covers for about 30 minutes before taking the covers off.

Grazie mille FS!

Plus ..
Gendarmerie Royale Alouette II on Alouettes & Lamas
Pakistan Air Force Ecureuil on Milshots
Cheetah Reunion on Avia Animals

**Savoia** · 14th June 2016, 09:25

Navy Helps Army with Gaz Mod

A team from the Royal Navy’s ‘emergency service’ has saved the day, and potentially £20m, with a speedy fix for the Army.

The Service Modifications team at 1710 NAS has developed a system for the Army Air Corps Gazelle helicopter to be adapted to airlift casualties from the battlefield.

And within two days of the modification being fitted it was used to transport a critically-ill casualty to hospital in Canada.

The modification, which took seven months from start to finish, rather than the normal year to 18 months, involves aircraft engineers removing the co-pilot’s seat and controls of the small Gazelle to enable the pilot to transport a medic and a casualty on a stretcher.

A plate is installed at the front of the cabin to enable a stretcher to be positioned the full length of the cockpit.

Each year the Army deploys to the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Alberta, Canada, for live firing exercises but needed to provide a helicopter medical evacuation facility to cover the large prairie – 1,042 square miles – roughly the size of Dorset and three times the size of the Army’s normal training areas at Salisbury Plain.

The team at 1710 NAS first met the Gazelle Project Team in September last year to design, develop, trial and manufacture a full medical evacuation facility for the helicopter to use in April this year. Such a contract with a commercial company could have cost up to £20m.

“This was an extremely challenging timeframe to deliver a unique capability in what is a very small area when one considers the size of a Gazelle,” said lead designer Dave Smith.

The design team introduced life-monitoring and life-support equipment normally found in a UK air ambulance as part of the modifications and trialled their designs with 667 Squadron Army Air Corps.

Mr Smith added: “The design team of Guy Pratt and Richard Dyke worked extremely closely with the users, including pilots and doctors, to ensure that it met their needs to give casualties the best chance of being recovered safely.

“They prepared the new panels and inserts on the squadron’s Computer Aided Design network, produced models on our 3D printer and then worked with the workshops to manufacture trial kits as part of the rapid prototyping process.”

In addition to providing the design, 1710 NAS also write the installation instructions for the air engineers on the front-line unit.

Leading Aircraft Engineering Technician Dan Bailey, who is new to the squadron, said: “This was my first modification and quite a challenge due to the timescale.

“Having had training on how to write technical English, which is very different to normal prose, and as a former engineering supervisor on a helicopter squadron, I was able to put myself in the place of the technicians installing this in Canada and so I tried to make the instructions as clear and as easy to follow as possible.”

After obtaining clearance for the Gazelle Medical Evacuation Modification to be fitted to the aircraft, Lieutenant Matt Wakefield, Deputy Service Modifications Manager, said: “The entire team came together to deliver a fantastic capability in a very short time frame, saving millions of pounds for Defence and enabling our troops to train as realistically as possible whilst also being safe in the knowledge that if there is a battlefield injury, the best possible capability will be on hand to help.”

Often referred to as the Jewel in the crown of the Fleet Air Arm, the Portsmouth-based squadron was established In 2010 to recover, sustain and enhance Naval aviation and is comprised of Royal Navy, Army and RAF personnel along with civilians.

The squadron’s deployable Repair Teams travel the world to fix Ministry of Defence helicopters, while ships and squadrons send in material fractures and fuel samples to the scientists in the Materials and Monitoring cell.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and...copter-deisign

**Zishelix** · 14th June 2016, 10:08

Sounds interesting and I would like to see some photos.

However, as displayed on page 2, the Gazelle has possessed a stretcher capability for many years!

Originally posted by Zishelix View Post

Presenting Gazelle's MEDEVAC capabilities...

**Fene Strong** · 14th June 2016, 12:42

Gents, is there a registry somewhere that details all UK registered Gazelles that are still flying? I am going through this site to try and list them, but there may be a quicker way? Thanks FS.

**md600driver** · 14th June 2016, 20:53

Originally posted by Fene Strong View Post

Gents, is there a registry somewhere that details all UK registered Gazelles that are still flying? I am going through this site to try and list them, but there may be a quicker way? Thanks FS.

You can find details at the CAA's GINFO database (see the link in Sav's reply) which provides information on all 44 of the English registered Gazelles. Some are having rebuild, but most are airworthy. The CAA website also allows you to check if the aircraft's airworthiness certificate is valid.

FYI, there are 4 on that list which are mine and which are being rebuilt at present.

**N48284** · 14th June 2016, 21:53

Gazelle HT.2 G-ZZLE by Andrew Morley

G-ZZLE wearing its new paint scheme during test flying today! Just some decals left to put on and its once again a Shark!

**Helipixman** · 14th June 2016, 23:31

Gazelle Registry info for Fene Strong

I also have a complete list of all Gazelles in the UK civil and Military. The information shows Registration, type, serial number, owner, c of a or permit expiry date and for those no longer airworthy the fate, i.e. accidents and transfers to other countries and the new registration.

Its currently on google docs but only available to a few people. I would have to add you to be able to see it. Its been a while since I have added anyone and I think its done by email address ?

Helipixman

**Savoia** · 15th June 2016, 07:18

UK Army Stretcher Mod

We now have some shots of the RN 'inspired' modification to the Army Air Coprs Gazelles for an 'in cabin' stretcher:

XX453

SA341B XX453 (cn WA1454) as seen at Salisbury Plains Training Area in June 2016

**md600driver** · 15th June 2016, 08:35

Originally posted by Astazou View Post

Interesting ... F-GIBU is now N342WF and is also registered in Wilmington Delaware. It looks like someone in the area (most likely the same person) has N342ET as well.

Obviously someone who is a fan of the very rare ....stretched SA342J Gazelles.

Well it isn't Lynn Walton who owns N342WF (Walton Farms).

In the USA only American citizens or corporations based in the US can register aircraft on the FAA register.

Wilmington is a area where you can set up a corporation very easily. I know lots of Brits that have done something similar. As a result, an aircraft which is registered in Wilmington could in fact reside anywhere in the world, even in Switzerland!

She may not even have a new owner !!!!

**md600driver** · 15th June 2016, 08:39

For Admin:

Are there any tweaks that can be made to website to make posts refer to the question or topic asked, as posts like this one below are very confusing and leave one wondering!

Originally posted by Gaz Engineer:

She is still with MW Helicopters.

**Savoia** · 15th June 2016, 09:12

Update from Montenegro

Deputy Air Force Commander Colonel Namik Arifović (47), who was seriously injured on Friday when the "Gazelle" helicopter he was flying in crashed near Komanski bridge in Podgorica is still in a coma, although in a slightly more stable condition said Zoran Jovančević, chief of the Intensive Care Unit at the General Hospital of Montenegro.

Lieutenant Colonel Miroljub Antanasijević (46), who was also injured in the crash, will today be transferred to the orthopedics department, said Jovančević.

Montenegro's Deputy Air Force Commander, Col. Arifović, together with Lt. Col. Antanasijević were flying in the Gazelle helicopter (an HN45M) when it crashed near Komanski bridge in the village of Gornja Gorica, during a regular flight training.

Yesterday, Montenegro's Ministry of Defense established a commission to inspect and report as to why the aircraft crashed.

http://www.cdm.me/english/arifovic-s...thopedics-ward

**Rotorspot** · 15th June 2016, 13:04

G-CBGZ

Questions have been asked regarding the correct c/n for G-CBGZ, given by the CAA as 1915, whereas others have it as 1923. The same question has been asked several times on various other news groups.

She was initially registered with the CAA with c/n 1923 on 31-Oct-2001, but the c/n was changed into 1915 on 7-Jun-2002.

As far as I know 1915 was Gazelle HT3 serial ZB628, which was w/o in an accident on 9-Sep-1993. See the MoD accident summary at:
http://www.ukserials.com/pdflosses/m...0909_zb628.pdf

Therefore I do believe that G-CBGZ in fact is 1923. It should not be that difficult to check the data plate. Anyone?

**Savoia** · 16th June 2016, 10:00

YU-HWF

SA341G(S) YU-HWF (cn 1407) as seen at Denham Aerodrome in April 2015 (Photo: Clive Glaister)

**Savoia** · 16th June 2016, 17:07

SA341D G-CBSI (cn WA1736) as seen at Dunsfold Aerodrome on 29th August 2015

Dunsfold is of course where the once popular Top Gear studio is located.

**Savoia** · 17th June 2016, 09:14

New Views of HB-XFW and HB-XMU

Air Grischa's SA341G HB-XFW (cn WA1124) as seen in Switzerland in 1976

This Westland built bird was originally delivered to Rogers Aviation in the UK in 1974 when she flew as G-BBSH. I do have a photo of her from this period, and which I shall try and dig up.

Air Zermatt SA342J(S) HB-XMU (cn 1470) as seen in Switzerland c..1980's (Photo: Gerold Biner)

This stretched Aérospatiale example was (I think) initially delivered to the US. From there she went to Switzerland, then to France and finally to the UK. She has more recently been registered as N342WF.

**Savoia** · 17th June 2016, 11:47

HA-LFA

Start and depart, a little trip over Budapest, return to land and shut down:

**Savoia** · 18th June 2016, 12:26

SA342L1 HN45 Gama 12912 (cn 125) as seen over the Pešter Plateau in Serbia during Exercise 'Morava 2016' on 2nd June 2016 (Photo: Dimitrije Ostojic)

**Savoia** · 18th June 2016, 13:13

SA341G N341AH (cn 1032) as seen in the US in 1977

This craft was eventually returned to France where she became F-GESG.

During her time Stateside she was frequently used as a 'film bird'.

**Savoia** · 20th June 2016, 10:09

YU-HWF

SA341G(S) YU-HWF (cn 1407) as seen at Welshpool Airport in Wales on 5th June 2016 (Photo: Brian Nicholas)

For my latest referendum rant click here.

**Savoia** · 21st June 2016, 09:50

SA341B XZ340 (cn WA1691) from the Army Air Corps 'BATUS Flight' in Canada as seen at Calgary Airport on 11th June 2016

SA341B XZ340 (cn WA1691) from the Army Air Corps 'BATUS Flight' in Canada as seen departing Calgary Airport on 11th June 2016

**Zishelix** · 21st June 2016, 15:40

In relation with previously mentioned N341AH, a cropped frame from The Gauntlet movie with Clint Eastwood.

**Savoia** · 22nd June 2016, 09:57

SA341D G-CBSI ex-XZ934 (cn WA1736) with G-ZZLE ex-XX436 (cn WA1402) at Ha'penny Green on 18th June 2016
(Photo: Rob Carter)

**Savoia** · 22nd June 2016, 21:37

Gazelle Viviane

SA342M Viviane GAN (cn 1865) as seen at Le Luc-Le Cannet Airport on 4th May 2016 (Photo: Federico La Sala)

Seen flying without her transmission and engine cowlings.

**Savoia** · 23rd June 2016, 09:22

Montenegro Crash Update

Air Force helicopter pilot Miroljub Antanasijević, who was injured in a Gazelle helicopter crash on June 10 in Podgorica, has been released from hospital for continuing treatment from his home while Deputy Commander of the Air Force, Colonel Namik Arifović, remains in hospital as confirmed by the Ministry of Defense.

The Ministry did not however say whether the pilots are able to talk or whether they spoke to them about what happened to the helicopter before the crash.

The cause of the helicopter crash, says the MoD, will be known by the end of next week.

"The Ministry of Defense, in cooperation with the competent state institutions, has taken all measures in order to establish the causes of the helicopter crash. June 26th was given as deadline for the release on an initial report. Also, a complete investigation into the helicopter crash is being led by the State Prosecutor's Office" the ministry said.

None of the Air Force's 14 helicopters are be cleared to fly until the MoD finds out why the Gazelle helicopter crashed.

"All helicopters are grounded until further notice, in accordance with the Guidelines for the Prevention and Investigating of aircraft accidents, which advises prohibition of flying during investigation. It defines a temporary ban on flying the aircraft type that suffered the crash until the cause of the accident is found, as well as a no-fly decision for all subordinate units", explained the MoD.

http://www.cdm.me/english/pilot-anta...before-june-26

**Savoia** · 24th June 2016, 07:40

Independence Day Gazelle

Sav's Independence Day message.

**Tarman** · 24th June 2016, 13:25

Will the UK's exit from Europe mean that the YU registered Gazelles will eventually be outlawed ?

Tarmac

**md600driver** · 24th June 2016, 14:04

Originally posted by Tarman View Post

Will the UK's exit from Europe mean that the YU registered Gazelles will eventually be outlawed ?

Tarmac

YU reg Gazelles are not Europe/EASA anyway, so it shouldn't make any difference.

**Savoia** · 25th June 2016, 09:37

N48284 wrote:
Yes, we can accommodate visits. Just private message me and I can sort that out.

That'll be me in the left front seat of XZ934. We were enroute to RAF Cosford for the airshow and stopped in to rv with the Sqn Cabri.

Andy.

Great stuff Andy, grazie mille!

Hope you had a good show at Cosford.

FS, if you do decide to take up Andy's offer and visit Bourne Park, please take a photo of any Gazelles you see there. Even a mobile phone shot will do!

SA342L HA-LFQ (cn 1854) as seen at Kettlewell in Yorkshire in August 2014 (Photo: David Wooler)

**Savoia** · 25th June 2016, 11:56

Helidax

Gazelles in the Helidax hangar in Aquitaine awaiting re-allocation from training duties

**Savoia** · 27th June 2016, 09:09

Gaz n' Scout

Army Air Corps SA341B ZB666 (cn WA1933) as seen at RAF Mildenhall on 27th May 1989

This unfortunately registered Gazelle fell victim to misfortune when in February 2000 she was written-off while on exercise in Kenya.

Announcement

Shrieking Gazelles

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment