Announcement

**Savoia** · 15th September 2016, 09:12

CAPTIONS!

A French army pilot of the 1er Regiment d'Helicopteres de Combat (1st Combat Helicopters Battalion) rests on a Gazelle Viviane at the French Helicopter Battalion 'Mousquetaire' base (Musketeer Squadron) at Kabul International Airport on 2nd August 2012

Your caption suggestions please!

**Savoia** · 15th September 2016, 09:29

Gaz Squd a Hit with the Kids!

Five year old Haydn gets a close up look at one of the Gaz Squad's ships at RNAS Culdrose in July. Of the experience Haydn said: "I wanted to be an Army person, but now I want to be a Navy pilot."

Influencing children to prefer the Navy over the Army could of course be described as the 'corruption of minors' but, seeing as it's the Gaz Squad we shall leave them in peace!

Purely kidding of course. Those Navy flyers are 'lovely chaps'!

**Savoia** · 16th September 2016, 07:31

Are rare shot of both IAC Gazelles (237 and 241) in flight accompanied by two Alouette III's approaching Baldonnel's Casement Aerodrome in August 1982

**Savoia** · 16th September 2016, 08:01

BAG Departing the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Northern Ireland

This craft was attending the Newcastle Festival of Flight on 6th August 2016

**Rotorspot** · 16th September 2016, 14:02

NEW OWNER

G-ZZEL Gazelle AH.1, c/n 1152
owner: 'The Gazelle Squadron Display Team Ltd., Bourne Park, Hampshire'
date: 13-Sep-2016

**Savoia** · 17th September 2016, 08:31

Gaz n' Puma

SA342M 3862/GAL as seen at Gilze-Rijen Air Base in the Netherlands on 7th September 2016 (Photo: Jarco Hage)

Zis, another Gaz brochure for you!

See additional interesting aircraft brochures here.

**Zishelix** · 19th September 2016, 08:34

SA342M coded GBC (probably s/n 4039) photographed earlier this year. Unknown location & photogrpaher.

**Savoia** · 19th September 2016, 11:41

The Gazelle Squadron

Helipix wrote: While there is a mention of the Gazelle Squadron. A friend has informed me that all future tours have been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Anyone know if this is correct? If so, a great shame for genuine Gazelle enthusiasts!

Fene Strong wrote: Might be correct, I asked about going along a while back and didn't get a reply.

Is someone able to shed any light on this please?

**Savoia** · 19th September 2016, 18:11

SA342L as seen at Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria South Africa, September 2016 (Photo: Bernie Leighton)

**Zishelix** · 20th September 2016, 14:10

'Nellie' at Kortrijk, Wevelgem in June 7th, 2016 (Photo: Geertdiopere)

Note a Fairy sticker on the tail fin!

More pics of the N624EL here and here

**md600driver** · 20th September 2016, 14:32

Originally posted by Zishelix View Post

I wonder which one (s/n) this might be?

An educated guess would be 1881

**Savoia** · 20th September 2016, 17:29

Originally posted by Zishelix View Post

Note a Fairy sticker on the tail fin!

Yes I see it.

Might I just point out though that 'real' helicopter pilots are somewhat averse to fairies.

Unidentified Aviaforan 'somewhere' in Central Europe in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Sixteen!

**md600driver** · 20th September 2016, 19:52

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

1881 .. would that be one of the ex-Ecuadorian birds? From some reports it sounded as if all of them could have done with stripping down in this way!

Yes I've seen 4 of them like this.

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

Might I just point out though that 'real' helicopter pilots are somewhat averse to fairies.

I didn't know that photo got out !!

**Savoia** · 21st September 2016, 07:25

Gaz n' Drink!

Seeing as Zis mentioned Oktoberfest, this is a reminder that Gaz n' drink are never a good mix or .. as the Colonel would say .. "Eight hours from bottle to throttle chasps!"

A Drunken Escapade Leads to Chopper Crash in the Foyle

A leaving party for Seán Hartnett's colleague, Gerry, was in full swing at 3am on a Friday in mid-July when he arrived back at his base at Ballykelly near Derry. What was to follow would go down in North Det folklore.

As I passed the bar, I could hear bottles smashing and the sound of lads playing '9mm darts'. (This involved using pistols instead of darts and aiming at a replica dartboard painted on one of the walls in the bar.) North Det's parties were always extreme affairs.

I had only just got into bed when the familiar sound of a Gazelle helicopter engine whining into life drifted across the compound to my room. That's odd I thought. We went to check the board to see who was the duty pilot that evening. Tonight the pilot was - Phil. Shit! We knew that could well mean trouble. I was told in the bar that Phil and Fred had "gone for a spin" with the helicopter. I grabbed the 'honesty book' in the bar recording who had ordered drinks. Phil and Fred had signed to pay for five bottles of red wine between them. Where had they gone?

After fruitless efforts to contact the Gazelle by radio, I scanned the skies on the cameras for the next two hours, but there was no sign of the helicopter. By 6am we were coming around to the belief that the situation was lost when suddenly the intercom at the rear entrance to the compound buzzed. There on the screen was Phil, huddled over in a disheveled state. Besides some broken ribs and bruises he wasn't in too-bad-a -shape, and with great difficulty he gave us a rough indication of where Fred was. We raced from the compound in two operator vehicles to the beaches of the Foyle estuary. Suddenly, about 200 metres in front of us, we spotted Fred on the beach.

He looked lifeless, and I had a sinking feeling in my stomach that we were too late. Fred had a broken leg, but more worryingly, there was spinal damage. I brought the car down the beach and we put Fred on a spinal board and positioned him carefully on the back seat. We looked towards the dark waters of the Foyle. There, semi-submerged and inverted, was the Gazelle helicopter.

Later we heard from Phil how the Gazelle ended up in the Foyle. Apparently, Fred had mentioned trying for the Army Air Corps pilots' course, Phil offered to take Fred up for a lesson. Despite the intoxication, the flight had gone okay and they were almost back at base when, amazingly, Phil decided to hand the stick over to Fred and let him get a feel for what it's like to control an aircraft.

Drunk, flying in the dark and unfamiliar with the controls, Fred became disorientated and the helicopter plunged. As it hit the water it overturned, trapping the men in their seats below the waterline. The icy-cold water of the Foyle flooded in. Phil managed to free himself and reach the surface. He went back underwater and freed the unconscious Fred from his seat before dragging him to the beach.

It was time for North Det to close ranks and cover up what had happened. We began by destroying evidence: the honesty book from the bar was shredded and then burned. The bar was cleaned until it was sparkling, and all recorded evidence of what happened was done away with. Eventually, an investigation into the incident fizzled out and at a hearing it was found that the pilot was 'probably under the influence of alcohol'.

Phil had admitted to drinking between one and two glasses of wine at a social event five hours before the accident. And while the army said that Phil had been court-martialled and banned from flying, he was in fact still flying.

The official report said he was 'disorientated due to a lack of attention to flight instruments'. There was no mention of Fred being at the controls when the aircraft went down.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news...-35052706.html

XZ339 Accident Summary: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=65036

**Zishelix** · 21st September 2016, 08:22

In the Drink!

XZ339 Crash site photo

**Zishelix** · 22nd September 2016, 08:54

Scan of a b&w print featuring an ex-Yugo Air Force HI-42 (12706)

**Savoia** · 23rd September 2016, 07:51

Memories from 'Shermany'!

SA341B XZ307 '50A' (WA1560) as seen at AAC Hildesheim in Germany on 17th June 1980 (Photo: Clive Pattle)

SA341B XX447 '50C' (WA1439) as seen at AAC Hildesheim in Germany on 17th June 1980 (Photo: Clive Pattle)

As can be seen, these craft were emblazoned with a white cross and special tail markings indicating their role (along with their airborne cousin the Scout) as umpires during British Army exercises in Germany.

**Savoia** · 23rd September 2016, 08:02

Gaz Engineering Jobs Still Available with UK MoD

Excel Technical Consulting have a requirement for a team of engineers with experience of working on the SA341 Gazelle helicopter for a contract based in the UK starting around mid-September.

We need Avionic engineers and mechanics to support a modification prorgramme on the Gazelle in at least two locations in the UK.

To be eligible, we need engineers to have worked on the Gazelle for at least 6 months within the last two years, and in particular be familiar with the MF700.

If you are either a mechanic or electrician with the required experience and are available around the middle of September, you can expect a competitive hourly rate, with around 50 hours per week on offer.

So, if you are interested, and you are an experienced Gazelle Engineer, please apply now for more information!

http://www.aviationjobsearch.com/job...-roles/6711267

**Savoia** · 23rd September 2016, 21:42

Abandoned Gaz

SA341G YU-HBK (cn 1348) as seen at Podgorica, Ćemovsko Polje Airport in Montenegro on 6th August 2016 (Photo: Piotr Biskupski)

This photo was taken last month in Montenegro and shows an abandoned Gaz. One might have expected this craft to have had a Soko serial but no, she seems to have come off the Aérospatiale production line and which could be advantageous if anyone considers rebuilding her. For now though she seems to have been discarded.

**Savoia** · 24th September 2016, 10:15

ZU-RLE with SA341C ZU-HBH (cn WA1418) as seen at Pretoria's Waterkloof Airport on 17th September 2016 (Photo: Brian Spurr)

SA341F2 ZU-RLE (cn 1678) as seen at Pretoria's Waterkloof Airport on 17th September 2016 (Photo: Brian Spurr)

**Savoia** · 26th September 2016, 09:56

G-BZYD

SA341B G-BZYD (cn WA1648) ex-XZ329 as seen at Perth's Scone Airport on 31st August 16 (Photo: Wallace Shackleton)

We did feature this craft on the previous page at this same location but in this take she is seen landing at the pumps.

G-SIVJ

SA341C G-SIVJ (cn WA2012) as seen at Ha'penny Green on 18th September 2016 (Photo: Dave Smith)

**Savoia** · 27th September 2016, 08:48

More ZU-RLE

SA341F2 ZU-RLE (cn 1678) a-s seen at Pretoria's Waterkloof Airport on 17th September 2016 (Photo: Brian Spurr)

Participating in anti-poaching demonstrations.

**Zishelix** · 28th September 2016, 08:13

Tail sensor on an ALAT SA342M

**Savoia** · 29th September 2016, 11:12

SA341H 12834 (cn 078) as seen with her stablemates in a Serbian hangar

**Rotorspot** · 29th September 2016, 16:13

Another nice shot of Gazelle 3862/GAL as seen at Gilze-Rijen AFB in the Netherlands on 07-Sep-2016. Photo by Jack Wolbrink.

**Savoia** · 29th September 2016, 20:54

Gazelle Delivered to Gabon

The Paramount Group, via the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, today handed over a donated Gazelle helicopter and specialised anti-poaching dogs to the Gabon National Parks Agency in support of a new an Anti-Poaching Rapid Response Task Force.

The Ichikowitz Family Foundation said the Task Force has been established in line with Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s commitment to address poaching in the country.

'Parcs Gabon' receives its first helicopter courtesy of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation

Parcs Gabon, the National Park Agency of Gabon, announced it will work with the Ichikowitz Family Foundation in developing the new Anti-Poaching Rapid Reaction Task Force. The Foundation has donated a Gazelle helicopter, pilot training, specialist ranger training and equipment for anti-poaching officers as well as the establishment of a canine training facility in Gabon.

Flight training will take place at Paramount’s flight academy in South Africa with around half a dozen pilots being trained. Maintenance and technical support will be carried out by Paramount Aerospace.

Paramount’s canine training school has supplied two dogs and handlers to Gabon with another six dogs scheduled to be sent to the West African nation. Two are part of a breeding pair and will be used to set up the canine school in Gabon which will cater to the region.

Professor Lee White, Director of Parcs Gabon, said that poaching has become more violent and that ivory smuggling networks are run by organised criminals that also trade in drugs, human trafficking etc. He said Gabon has made strides in addressing poaching with 750 personnel including 100 military personnel. Due to the increasingly violent nature of poaching, Parcs Gabon has had to give military training to its rangers as poachers will fire on sight, often with automatic weapons.

British born Professor Lee White, head of Gabon's National Parks (Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux, ANPN) seated in the Gazelle helicopter donated for anti-poaching purposes by South Africa's Ichikowitz Family Foundation in Midrand, north of Johannesburg on 29th September 2016. Gabon's National Parks Agency announced the creation of an Anti-Poachng Rapid response Task Force during the CITES World Wildlife conference which is currently taking place in Johannesburg

Parcs Gabon now has 150 vehicles, 35 boats and five aircraft White said, and now a helicopter, which will be critical in supporting the war against poaching. The Gazelle will be used for assignments such as supporting rangers in the field – a ranger was recently shot in the leg and nearly died because he was in a remote location and it was difficult trying to get a military helicopter to airlift him out.

John Stephenson, CEO of Stop Ivory, the Joint Secretariat to the Elephant Protection Initiative, said that “nearly 90 percent of Gabon consists of rainforest, which shelters close to a remarkable 60% of Africa’s remaining forest elephants – this means that Gabon has been a poaching hotspot for several years and so every effort made to protect this shrinking population is worth it.”

Gabon and four African nations in 2014 launched the Elephant Protection Initiative to preserve the continent’s elephant population after losing tens of thousands of animals. Gabon disposed of nearly five tonnes of ivory in 2012 and developed a National Elephant Action Plan to protect the animals.

Eric Ichikowitz, director of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, noted during the handover at Paramount's Midrand facilities that poaching is the fourth most lucrative criminal activity in the world, with drugs being number one.

Ivor Ichikowitz, Founder of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, said that there is a link between crime and poaching, with terror activities around the world being funded by poaching. He said poaching is no longer a conservation issue but a threat to democracies. “This helicopter is only the beginning of our commitment to Lee and his remarkable organisation.”

Paramount has previous ties with Gabon, selling the country ten Maverick armoured security vehicles ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament in 2012. The company also supplied six refurbished ex-South African Air Force Mirage fighters.

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.ph...ity&Itemid=188

**Savoia** · 30th September 2016, 09:42

Parcs Gabon Gaz

Some additional shots from yesterday's handover:

It appears as though this craft is fitted with armoured crew seats and which is 'something' but my heart goes out to those who must face combat operations in the dear old Gaz, as she doesn't offer the greatest of protection.

I would have expected to see a sand filter on this bird seeing as it is almost impossible to carry out 'bush operations' in Africa and escape exposure to dust and sand. Perhaps they will install one later?

GazEn do you perhaps know the construction number of this craft?

**Savoia** · 3rd October 2016, 08:57

Gabon Gaz Identity Solved

SA341B (cn WA1492) as seen at Pretoria's Waterkloof Airport on 16th September 2016 (Gary Shephard)

Although without any 'obvious' current registration, she is an ex-BAG cn. 1492.

**Warty** · 3rd October 2016, 21:39

One from my old photo album: Gazelle & Scout on the "pan" at Coypool, Plymouth in 1978.

This particular Gaz (XX377) has an unhappy history. It was transferred to 656 Sqn and shot down in a friendly-fire incident in the Falklands, in 1982, killing all four occupants.

**Savoia** · 4th October 2016, 10:16

Zis, a review of the tragic loss of life incurred during this incident may be found here but Warty may also have some additional details to offer.

We might also remember that on 21st May of the same year, two Gazelles (also Commando birds) were downed around San Carlos (a settlement in the northwest of East Falkland). The ships involved were XX411 and XX402 - both were hit by small arms fire.

Regarding small arms fire - I've mentioned in relation to the 'poaching Gazelles' that (in my humble opinion) the Gaz really isn't suited for combat operations as she just doesn't offer sufficient crew protection.

Back to the Falklands, tragically after being hit, 402 ploughed straight into a hill killing both on board. Mercifully though, the crew of 411 (which was flying near Port San Carlos) managed to survive despite the craft taking direct hits forcing her to ditch in the harbour.

The painting below commemorates the miraculous escape of 411's crew on 21st May 1982:

SA341B XX411 (cn WA1359) as depicted over Port San Carlos, East Falkland on 21st May 1982 (Painted by Keith Woodcock)

Perhaps Warty can confirm whether this was also a ' Sea-Bass' bird?

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Shrieking Gazelles

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