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Hi everybody! Sorry for my long silence, I was offline for a while.
Referring to the previous Sav's G-MANN image, I'm posting this interesting photo of s/n 1295 while it was operated by Wiltshire and West Midlands Police back in late 1980's. The machine was based at Sussex Police HQ Air Support Unit in Lewes.
Two Gazelle helicopters have arrived in Adelaide. Both carry a paint scheme that resembles the one of the British Army (green and grey), but the edges between those two colours looks to be hand-painted in a brown colour. On the tail boom there is a crudely applied serial (taped over), but it looks like 301 on the one and 302 on the other. I also have seen pictures of data plates, but those are not the aircraft data plates.
That's great news! I assume you're not able to tell us more at the moment. OK, I understand. May we hope you'll put some more light on the Adelaide Gazelles when the time come?
Yes indeed. Unfortunately we didn't get the registration of the birds attending this event, perhaps over time. Btw, do you happen to know (I'm sure I've asked before) how many Gazelles Montenegro operates?
It is with sadness of heart that I write to advise that Avia member Adrian Batchelor passed away yesterday following a long-running battle with cancer.
Adrian had worked as an aircraft painter and fitter spending many years with HPB Aviation, initially at Leavesden and then at Luton. Adrian was involved in painting many of the aircraft which have featured on our Nostalgia Thread (both old and new).
As a hobby Adrian also took photographs, a selection of which you can see here, some of his work can also be seen on the Nostalgia Thread and as well as here.
Since before the time that Adrian joined Aviafora he and I have shared an ongoing correspondence in which we discussed matters of mutual interest ranging from Colin Chapman's 'Team Essex' Citation (which Adrian painted) to well-known characters in aviation.
Adrian was always immensely grateful for our assistance in helping him to post photos (a number of members have had issues with this) and at times when his chemo treatment was a little too much he would simply email a photo with a few words and ask me to post them on his behalf.
Adrian was thrilled to 'make my day' by sending me a photo of a Monegasque LongRanger from the late 70's, one which has special significance for me, and for which I remain so very grateful. That photo will always remind me of dear Adrian.
Of great comfort is the fact that Adrian was a believer and in our emails we exchanged lengthy conversations about life, faith and the challenges of 'walking with God'. I was able to share several prayers and inspirational readings with Adrian during his battle with cancer and for which he seemed genuinely thankful.
I have no doubt that our dear friend and fellow Aviaforan has been received into God's loving arms.
Our love, prayers and goodwill go out to his family who have also been sent a link to this post.
RIP dear friend and may God grant you to paint in His kingdom with the vibrant colours of kindness and sincerity which were so clearly reflected by your character.
Another passing (just two days ago) is the French actress Mireille Darc, seen below with SA341G(S) F-GFEB during the inauguration of the Rotor Club de Paris at Issy-les Moulinaux heliport.
Such a great shame to lose another wonderful person with such a passion for aviation. Although we did'nt know each other at the time of his working for HPB, I am sure our paths would have crossed as I learnt to fly at Elstree and knew his boss Henry Hewitt (HPB). I also flew into Leavesden regularly and photographed many aircraft/helicopters at both Elstree and Leavesden. Having said that we became good friends later in life and sent each other lengthy emails chatting about our mutual friends in the Aviation industry.
Howard Stott with SA341B G-HSDL (WA1227) as seen at Manchester Barton on 27th August 2017
SA341G(S) YU-HOT (1390) as seen at Isle of Man Airport on 27th August 2017 (IOM Photography)
Formerly G-WCRD. This craft would look nice with some skid fairings, seeing as she is already fitted with a t/r driveshaft cover and fenestron hub cap.
Some pictures of VH-OIW, SA341C Gazelle HT.2, c/n 1007. All pictures taken by Rod Brown at Parafield Airport, which is in the Northern suburbs of Adelaide. Pictures kindly provided by Geoff Chatfield and reproduced here with his permission.
During its very first flight in Australia on 11-Dec-2015.
Further to my previous question, here are pictures of those two Gazelles. Reproduced here with kind permission of Geoff Chatfield. All pictures taken early September 2017. Can these Gazelles be identified by the below plates (which are not the aircraft data plates)?
Gazelle wearing serial '301'.
One of the plates on Gazelle wearing serial '301'.
Gazelle wearing serial '302'.
One of the plates on Gazelle wearing serial '302'.
While searching for photos I came across these both stored at the time south of Bristol....
The military one is XW904 ex Middle Wallop and I am told the owner has cut it up to make various artworks.
The other one (Red) still exists and has been moved to a workshop, and maybe for sale should anyone be interested. I have contact detail and the owner is hoping to take more photos of it soon. It looks like G-BZOS a 341C HT.2 which crashed way back on 14.7.02 at Gaydon.
XW904
And a photo of it as G-BZOS (below)
As mentioned if anyone is interested in the Gazelle I have contact details of current owner.
In the beginning of this video the craft are just turning and burning, fast forward to 2 mins for the take-off.
Jos: Lovely to see these photos from Australia, bravo!
I am sure we will track-down the serial numbers of these aircraft.
Elipix, nice shots.
G-BZOS fell victim to the Gazelle's 'Tail Swing Bite' (accident report here). Mercifully though, despite four persons on board, no one was injured.
It would be nice if the owner of these frames could put them in a hangar or a barn, or at least throw a tarp over them. It just helps in that there is less corrosion to repair.
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