Shrieking Gazelles

[Rotorspot]

Newly Registered Gazelle

Found this new Gazelle entry in the recent Russian aircraft register (dated 02-Nov-2016):

RA-05734 SA341G, c/n 9; 26-Oct-2016

I am pretty sure this is c/n 009, making it a former Soko HO-42 Partizan, ex S5-HCH, YU-HEF, 12617(YU).

[Rotorspot]

Well, here is what I have (registration, type, c/n):

Current:
RA-0682G SA341G Gazelle; ..
RA-0884G SA341G Gazelle; ..
RA-1158G SA341 Gazelle > Strekoza-7; ..
RA-1314G SA341G Gazelle; ..
RA-1324G SA341G Gazelle; ..
RA-1347G SA341G Gazelle; ..
RA-1558G SA341F Gazelle; ..
RA-1691G SA341G Gazelle > Strekoza-7M; ..
RA-1739G SA341C Gazelle HT.2; WA1299
RA-2520G SA341G Gazelle; 1034
RA-05702 Soko HS-42 Partizan > SA341G; 058
RA-05703 SA341B Gazelle AH.1; WA1524
RA-05705 SA341G Gazelle; 1145
RA-05706 SA341B Gazelle AH.1; WA1802
RA-05708 SA341C Gazelle HT.2; WA1045
RA-05709 SA341B Gazelle AH.1; WA1184
RA-05710 Soko HO-42 Partizan > SA341G; 055
RA-05714 Soko HO-42 Partizan > SA341G; 052
RA-05734 Soko HO-42 Partizan > SA341G; 009

No longer current for various reasons:
RA-1233G SA341G Gazelle; 1020; w/o
RA-1828G SA341G Gazelle > Bratishka; 1145; to RA-05705
RA-2013G SA341C Gazelle HT.2; WA1045; to RA-05708
RA-2184G SA341G Gazelle; 1034; to RA-2520G
RA-2501G SA341B Gazelle AH.1 > Scorpion; WA1560; w/o
RA-3341K SA341G Gazelle; ..; cnx
RA-00502 Soko HO-42 Partizan > SA341G; 014; w/o

Status unknown:
RF-00383 SA341G Gazelle; ..
RF-14009 SA341 Gazelle; ..
RF-20446 SA342 Gazelle; ..

Any update/correction is welcomed.

[Zishelix]

Ahh, 'Eastern' Gazelle IDs, such obscured theme

[Savoia]

Grazie Jos! This is much appreciated. So .. about twenty Gazelles in Russia. Most interesting. Let us see if this craft continues to gain Russian admirers.

[md600driver]

I wonder where most of the Gazelle maintenance is performed, especially given the geographical spread of the population. Perhaps they send components to the Ukraine?

The Russians tend to be fairly self-reliant and use their own people for most things. For the more challenging jobs they will hire in Yugo engineers for the Soko-built birds or Brits for the ex-UK mil ones. The Ukraine tend to use their own people.

I had fond memories of 1272, but wasn't surprised to hear that she had crashed. Not so sure about the doors though. I wouldn't want to be flying with doors which in any way lacked structural integrity as I'd be deeply concerned about them ending-up in the main rotor! Shame really, as there are plenty of doors around for them to buy.

[Savoia]

Grazie Stafano, much appreciated!

[Warty]

(XX376 c/n 1254??) arriving on HMS Hermes in March 1979 off northern Norway.



The engine failed to start at the end of the exercise and the ship was about to sail for the UK.

[Zishelix]

Wow, such a nice photo! Thanks Warty!

XX376 was #1254, indeed. Sadly, w/o in September 1983 while she served in West Germany

[Savoia]

Warty .. fantastic! Thank you for these lovely shots, just brilliant. Would you happen to know what the red 'X' on the fuselage might indicate?

[Warty]

I think it was just to show what 'side' we were on during the exercise - good, bad or DS (umpires). Not a permanent thing.

(This was at the close of Exercise Clockwork, e.g.: https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/3821 )

[Savoia]

Gabon Gaz





SA342L (cn 5019) TR-KCU belonging to Gabon's Light Army Aviation Unit (L’Aviation légère des armées du Gabon) as seen in Komo-Mondah, Gabon 2016 (Photos: Christian Vigna)

Given the construction number I am guessing this may be one of the last Gazelles ever produced?


An additional perspective of TR-KCU

See more TR-KCU here.

[Zishelix]

Nice one Sav!

[Zishelix]

Following on from the previous discussion on XX411 here.

[Savoia]

That tail surely has a tale to tell!

[Savoia]

RAeS Branch Lecture: A New Lease of Life for the Gazelle AH Mk1

Tuesday 10th January 2017, 17:00 hrs at the Lecture Theatre, Boscombe Down, Salisbury

Speakers: Flt Lt Stu Walker, Andrew Duffy and Phillip Loughlin

http://aerosociety.com/Events/Event-...H-Mk1#Location

Serbian Air Force Gazelle landing at Batajnica Air Base



SA341G(S) G-BXJK (cn 1417) as seen at Redhill Aerodrome in September 1997 (Photo: Sven Atkin)

See more G-BXJK here.

[Savoia]

Serbian Air Force Gazelle pilot Anja Krneta posted this photo yesterday in which she expresses her feelings towards the Gaz!

[Rotorspot]

The picture of TR-KCU with c/n 5019 brings back to mind a question that I have had for a long time.

Aerospatiale and Westland built Gazelles with c/n's ranging from 1001 through to 2234. Then a batch of Gazelles turn up with c/n's in the 5000-series (for Ecuador and Gabon).

Perhaps those were not built by Aerospatiale themselves, but by one of their allied companies. Does anyone know why that new series was started?

[Zishelix]

Indeed, between 1983 and 1986 Soko produced components for 19 SA.342L airframes which Aerospatiale delivered to Iraq, Ecuador and Gabon.

[Rotorspot]

Thanks. So we have 10 for Iraq, 5 for Ecuador and 5 for Gabon, making a total of 20. But only 19 were produced. Lol. C/n 5010 went to Ecuador as E-370.

[Zishelix]

Jos, E-370 is #2110. Four SA.342L of 5000-series delivered to Ecuador.

[Rotorspot]

Hi Zis,

Thanks. I suppose you are 100% sure about E-370 being #2110!? I have consulted various sources and they all have E-370 as #5010. Well, at least the last two digits of the c/n are in common.

[md600driver]

Indeed, between 1983 and 1986 Soko produced components for 19 SA.342L airframes which Aerospatiale delivered to Iraq, Ecuador and Gabon.

Does anyone know if any of the Iraq ones still exist?

[Savoia]

I am fairly certain the Iraqi Air Force still have Gazelles, but whether they are specifically among the 19 airframes which Zis refers to I am not sure. > http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...=1819#post1819

[Savoia]

BATUS Flight


SA341B ZA731 (cn WA1800) as seen over Calgary, Canada on 3rd November 2016 (Photo: Simon Longworth)

Look out for a special 'BATUS Flight' Gaz appearing in the skies over Britain soon!

[Savoia]

G-HSDL


SA341B G-HSDL (cn WA1227) as seen at Manchester Barton 2016 (Photo: Lewis Coward)

This is ex-AAC XW909 which served with 672 Squadron and was based at Dishforth between 2004-2008.

[GazEngineer]

One of the best military to civilian gazelles I've worked on but there's still more of them to come!!!!!

[Savoia]

Well done GazEn. And she's got your trademark 'starburst' tail decoration too!

[Savoia]

Sav's Rant

Click on the logo below to read my latest rant!

[md600driver]

Thanks. So we have 10 for Iraq, 5 for Ecuador and 5 for Gabon, making a total of 20. But only 19 were produced. Lol. C/n 5010 went to Ecuador as E-370.

This makes sense as 5011 is definitely E-371 which is now in South Africa. As an aside, at the time of her sale from Ecuador she had only flown 1655 hours.

[Savoia]

SA341G N18BC (cn 1051) no further details

There is very little available history on this classic 1973 built Aérospatiale example although some records state she formerly flew as N97266? Her registration is still active, so maybe she is still flying.

A shot which Zis has posted before, plus another (more recent) take on N18BC here.

[Savoia]

Cypriot SA342L '352' Display

[Savoia]

SA342L Soko Gazelle 12936 (cn 156) as seen at Batajnica Airport, Belgrade, Serbia on 10th September 2016 (Photo: Ivan Bukvic)

[Savoia]

SA341B XX405 (cn WA1343) as seen at Salisbury Plains Training Area on 2nd November 2016

[Zishelix]

Armée de Terre SA342L 'ASG' (flying without engine covers) over Mont Saint-Michel

[Savoia]

Very nice. I've noticed the AdT sometimes like flying without the engine cowlings .. perhaps to increase the ventilation around the engine lol!

[Savoia]

YU-HET ACCIDENT REPORT

The helicopter inadvertently became airborne during a hydraulic system check with the engine running. It was not possible to determine why the helicopter became airborne. During the investigation it was found that the pressure switch was not fitted to the hydraulic pack and hence the low hydraulic pressure warning would not activate. A safety concern relating to the overhaul of the engine was also identified.

https://assets.publishing.service.go...-HET_11-16.pdf

[Savoia]

The inspection of the aircraft revealed nothing that would explain why the helicopter inadvertently became airborne. Hence the cause of this incident could not be determined.

Perhaps a huge sticker with bold red letters plastered all over the collective saying "PULL UP FOR TAKE-OFF" might prevent future occurrences!

The Serbian CAD also ruled that the documents previously issued under approval MO-003 were valid. However, at no stage has this organisation been authorised by the engine manufacturer to overhaul civilian versions of the engine.

Oops!

My question is, if someone could get approval to overhaul civilian Aztazous, wouldn't it be a profitable business and provide a much-needed service? It cannot be impossible to get this Serbian outfit up to the required standards .. or is it an issue of Safran wanting the business for themselves?

[GazEngineer]

If you could get hold of the test beds and all the equipment to go with it then to a degree it would be profitable for a little while plus you've then got to try tracking down new parts etc which you won't get from turbomeca anymore

[Savoia]

Grazie GazEn.

[Savoia]

SA341 F-ZWRL (cn 02) c. late 60's-early 70's

Go to original post.

[Savoia]

SA342J I-PTEC as seen at Aeroporto Pavullo in September 2015 (Photo: Aerodata via Damiano Gualdoni)

[Savoia]

SA341G G-PAGS (cn 1155) as seen at Duxford date unknown (Photo: Helipix)

Ex-SFT bird G-SFTH and prior to that G-BLAP. After G-PAGS she became YU-MMY and is now HA-LFC.

See more G-PAGS here.

[Savoia]

YU-HES


SA342J YU-HES (cn 1057) as seen at Hook Norton, Oxfordshire on 5th May 2016 (Photo: David McGill)

[Zishelix]

Iraqi Gazelle Gate Guardian



I'm afraid info about the destiny of former Iraqi AF Gazelles may remain unknown!

[md600driver]

If you could get hold of the test beds and all the equipment to go with it then to a degree it would be profitable for a little while plus you've then got to try tracking down new parts etc which you won't get from turbomeca anymore

GazEngineer: There are two test beds available somewhere aren't there ???

Lol!

[GazEngineer]

Yes we own them but all they are at the moment is junk due to not being able to get approvals due to turbomeca not being interested in the outdated aztazous

[Savoia]

G-CDNO

Seen up by Steve's this past weekend:


SA341B G-CDNO (cn WA1385) as seen at Breighton Aerodrome on 13th November 2016 (Photo: David Marshall)

Registered to James Blaylock and Carole Evans who are evidently trading as 'CJ Helicopters'.

Ex-AAC XX432.

[Savoia]

The latest photo from Serbian Gazelle driver Anja:

[Savoia]

XX449


SA341B XX449 (cn WA1443) as seen at Castle Air's Liskeard base in Cornwall on 10th November 2016 (Photo: Pete M.)

Formerly with 654 Squadron, now with QinetiQ at Boscombe Down.