Shrieking Gazelles

[Rotorspot]

Two UK Gazelles Cancelled

G-EROL SA341G (1108); MW Helicopters; cnx 27-Jul-2020 to Serbia

G-ZLLE SA341G (1012); MW Helicopters; cnx 27-Jul-2020 to Serbia

[Savoia]

Last week Excel Charter made a small adjustment to their operating name, now Excel Helicopters.

[Helipixman]

A quick check on companies house shows MW Helicopters as being in Administration. MW Helicopters (Serbia) Ltd was dissolved on 28.1.20. It seems Excel Charters/Helicopters may have changed ownership on 18th June 2020 with new directors and the old one resigned ! Does this signal the end of a long relationship for MW Helicopters and their Gazelles !

[Savoia]

𝘿𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙒 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙂𝙖𝙯𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙨 — Not sure, but I am not entirely surprised that such changes are afoot following Martin's depature.

[Savoia]

SA341G N700SH (cn.1154) as seen at Lotenhulle in Belgium on 1st August 2020 (Photo courtesy of Avia member Kurt)




SA341B G-BZYD (WA1648) former XZ329 as seen on the Isle of Wight on 26th July 2020 (Photo by Geoff Allan)




Egyptian 342L's live fire exercise during Bright Star in September in 2017 at Mohamed Naguib Military Base in Egypt
(Photo by Michael Battles)




SA341G RA-05706 (WA1802) as seen at Stapleford on 1st August 2020 (Photo by David Stevens)




SA341G PT-HFL (cn.1076) as seen 'somewhere' in Belgium in 2017


Check out the latest Alouette for sale.

[Savoia]

SA341B ZA772 (WA1814) as seen at RNAY Fleetlands on 11th June 1983 (Photo by Graham Tiller)




SA341C XX391 (WA1299) as seen at RNAY Fleetlands on 13th June 1981 (Photo by Graham Tiller)

[Helipixman]

G-VOIP Change of Ownership

G-VOIP has changed ownership but remains with the same family, now registered to James Harry Coventry on 4.8.20

[Savoia]

Grazie Elipix!

[Savoia]

SA341G(S) 2-PJBA (cn.1392) as seen at Silverstone on 4th August 2018 (Photo by David Cook)




SA342M F-MGJE as seen at Dax Seyresse in 2010 (Photo by Pablo Rada)

[Savoia]

- GAZELLE WANTED -

One of our readers is searching for a 'value' Gazelle in flying condition priced between £200-250k. (He has seen the aircraft offered on the GazMart).

If you have such an aircraft available please contact James at james@jbs.co.uk

He is ready to make an immediate purchase.

[Helipixman]

If this is the same JBS I am thinking of, he currently owns a 369HE and a S269C and has sold a couple of S269s a while back !

[Savoia]

Yes, it is the same James, he also knows Stefano and has today joined Aviafora!

[Helipixman]

Welcome to Aviafora James, hoping to see a new Gazelle owner in the UK soon, hopefully all goes well with your search !

[Savoia]

SA342MV F-MABB (cn.4055) as seen at Le Bourget on 11th June 1991 (Photo by Alain Michot)




Gazelle as seen at Rzhevka Airport in Russia on 20th August 2003 (Photo by Darren Pitcher)


Gaz Parts


Gazelle rotorhead delivered to Fleetlands yesterday


Check out the latest Alouette for sale.

[Fabrice]

SA342MV F-MABB (cn.4055): this is cn4059, one of the prototypes of the Viviane version; the code must be in the F-MBSx range.

[Savoia]

YU-HOT


SA341G(S) YU-HOT (cn.1390) as seen over Kotor in Montenegro on 7th August 2020 (Photo by Aleksandar Zubac)

YU-HOT over Porto Montenegro on 7th August 2020
(Video by Aleksandar Zubac)








The Haelo Gaz HA-LFH in Hungary in August 2020 at the completion of her C2 inspection

With our thanks to Adriano for these photos!

[Savoia]

SA341G(S) N150SF (cn.1584) as seen at Ascot on 14th August 2015 (Photo by Westleigh Bushell)




SA341G(S) YU-HHH (cn. 1307) as seen at Stapleford on 8th August 2020 (Photo by Stephen Cross)


SA342J YU-HES (cn.1057) as seen at Stapleford on 8th August 2020 (Photo by Stephen Cross)








Serbian Air Force Gazelle fitted with Malyutka 2T missiles




Digital 'Ambulance' Gazelle

[Savoia]

SA342L 241 (cn.1854) as seen in Ireland in 2005 (Photo by Frank Grealish)




SA341B XW885 (WA1152) as seen at Middle Wallop on 16th July 1996 (Photo by Joop de Groot)




SA342M as seen at Le Luc Le Cannet in 2013 (Photo by Patrick)

[Savoia]

SA341H 12833 (cn.077) as seen at Belgrade Batajnica Airport on 1st September 2012 (Photo by Dragan Cvetic)




SA342J HA-LFH (cn.1775) as seen at Church Fenton Aerodrome on 4th January 2015 (Photo by Andy Crossley)




Chinese Gazelle LH-04307 seen fitted with minigun

The 342 Phantom engine start near St. Petersburg on 11th August 2020

[Rotorspot]

I think the Chinese Gazelle actually is LH94307, SA342L1, c/n 2203.

[Savoia]

Grazie mille Jos! 👌

[Rotorspot]

N71PU Change of Ownership

N71PU SA341G, c/n 1137, changed ownership to Fresh Heli LLC, Gillette (WY) on 01-Aug-2020.

[Helipixman]

Thanks Rotorspot

They also own 3 SA318C helis... N9RQ, N280DB and N318TR (N280DB is an ex UK based heli)

[Rotorspot]

Aviation Book / Marignane: 80 Years of Pioneering



I don't think this has been published on this Forum before. An interesting book (in English) detailing 80 years of aviation history at the Marignane site. The book includes sections on the Gazelle helicopter as well as the Fenestron tail rotor.

A pdf version of the book can be downloaded for free here.

[Savoia]

Lovely information Jos, grazie! 👍

[Savoia]

Zis's Gaz


SA341H S5-HCR (cn.027) as seen at Maribor Airport in Slovenia on 8th June 2003 (Photo by Milan Korbar)


UAE Air Force


UAE Air Force SA342L 137 (cn.1759) as seen at Dubai Airport on 16th November 1999 (Photo by George Joachim)





SA341B XZ310 (WA1577) NFI but probably at Wallop and probably in the late 80's

[Savoia]

SA341G SX-HDC (cn.1205) as seen in Thessaloniki, Greece c.1990's (Photo by Elipix)




SA341G G-LOYD (cn.1289) as seen at Sywell in 1990 (Photo by Chris Lane)

[Savoia]

YU-HWF


SA341G(S) YU-HWF (cn.1407) as seen at Lisičji Jarak Airport in Serbia on 14th August 2020




SA342L 12876 (cn.107) as seen at Belgrade Batajnica Airport in October 2006 (Photo by Pedja Stamenkovic)




Digital S5-HCR

SA341B G-BZYD (WA1648) flight from Ripe in East Sussex

[Savoia]

SA341H 12703 (cn.082) as seen Podgorica-Golubovci Airport in Monenegro on 9th September 2010 (Photo by Joop de Groot)




SA341B XX384 (WA1276) as seen on 7th August 2013 (Photo by Mike Lawson)

Any clues as to the location of this shot? Was this Gaz damaged?




SA342M being transported

Anyone with any idea as to which Gaz this is? GNA, GWA?




Mini Yugo Gaz


Custom made mini Gaz fuselage




ZU-RHH digital Gaz




SA342L 3X-GVD (cn.1441) as seen in Belgium in November 2017

342 Phantom Gaz engine start near St. Petersburg on 16th August 2020

Junior Gazeller Arianna offers an overview of the Gazelle
(Video courtesy of Avia member Liberio)

[Helipixman]

XX384 was at Dishforth in North Yorkshire in 2013 but is now suspended from the roof at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona.

[Savoia]

Grazie mille Elipix! 👍

[md600driver]

XX384 was at Dishforth in North Yorkshire in 2013 but is now suspended from the roof at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona.

I can remember when 384 was retrieved from Dishforth and taken to its new owner down south then packed up for the USA.

[Savoia]

SA341G G-KANE (cn.1136) as seen at Booker on 27th June 2010 (Photo by Bill Teasdale)




SA341B ZA776 (WA1818) as seen at Yeovilton in 1985 (Photo by Stuart Mitchell)




SA341G G-BAGL (WA1067) as seen at Silverstone on 5th July 2002 (Photo by Mike Kell)

XX384 was at Dishforth in North Yorkshire in 2013 but is now suspended from the roof at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona.

Speaking of Air and Space .. have you ever seen the Air and Space 18A autogyro?

A friend of my late father used to own one of these, in fact he landed it in our garden in the mid-70's.

Take a look (below) and let me know what you think.

[Helipixman]

I have seen a few Air & Space 18A, I remember one covered in dust in a hangar at Biggin Hill - G-BALB. There were only 7 on the UK register. Also saw G-BOBW at Cranfield, have got photos of them in my collection, which one popped into your garden ?

[Savoia]

I thought that the 'jump start' and ultra short landing roll of the 18A were not only innovative developments but were going to be game changers in the appeal of autogyros, but .. that obviously didn't turn out to be the case!

It was indeed G-BALB from Biggin which came to our home, owned at the time by a gentleman called Chris de Vere.

[Helipixman]

I met Chris de Vere at Biggin Hill, he explained the jump start to me. At the time thought he was joking, obviously not and it looks quite exciting !

[Helipixman]

Cannot remember if this has been mentioned...

N9334W had a heavy landing accident on 9.4.20 at Fort Meyers, Florida after departing from Leesburg, Florida.

The registered address in Huron, South Dakota may be Gary Hofer who also owns an R44II and a Bell 505 ! Can anyone confirm ?

YU-HOT now showing as owned by Sani Eko Vita Ltd who also own an S76 YU-HOH

[Savoia]

Grazie Elipix, yes info on N9334W posted on page 145, post #4334 http://www.aviafora.com/forums/forum...2175#post12175

Will enquire about the owner for you.

Thanks for the up-date re: YU-HOT.

[Savoia]

Avia Members Gazelles Meet-Up

Gazelles belonging to Avia members Carlo and Stefano met-up yesterday without informing their owners of the arrangement; you know .. a bit like how one's dog may run down the road to rendezvous with a fellow canine!

Herewith some shots of the meeting:








SA341B G-BZYD (WA1648) former XZ329 with SA342M HA-HSG (cn.3615) as seen at Shoreham Airport on 18th August 2020

Top two photos courtesy of Carlo bottom two courtesy of another Avia supporter!




For Jakub


SA341B XZ347 (WA1713) NFI

Jakub, I don't have details as to the date or location of this shot. Obviously one of the shows, but I'm not sure which one. I hope you can add this to your collection though.

[md600driver]

We didn’t actually meet up, the helicopters did, we were parked next to each other. I saw the heli arrive but when I looked I couldn’t find him.

[Savoia]

Grazie Stefano! Have amended opening title and comments accordingly!

[Savoia]

SA342L 12712 as seen at Lađevci Airport in Serbia on 15th August 2020 (Photo by Misko Ruvidic)




Some further shots of Tuesday's unplanned mini-Gaz-meet at Shoreham:




SA342M HA-HSG (cn.3615) and SA341B G-BZYD (WA1648) as seen at Shoreham Airport on 18th August 2020




XX403

SA341B XX403 (WA1333) may have been sold to Belgium. We are awaiting confirmation.

If you have any Gaz news or photos you would like to share on Shrieking Gazelles, then help us out by mailing: aviafora1@gmail.com




SA341D XZ936 (WA1743) as seen at RAF Fairford on 20th July 1996 (Photo by Gary Morris)




SA341B ZA730 (WA1799) as seen at Bourne Park on 27th May 2010 (Photo by Mike Lawson)


SA341B ZB682 (WA1987) as seen at an unconfirmed location on 7th August 2013 (Photo by Mike Lawson)

[xbdt]

Yes, 1333 is here in Belgium :-)

[Savoia]

Grazie XB! 👍

Since you started getting involved with Gazelles, it seems as if you have dealt with some twenty or so airframes!

[Savoia]

SA341B XZ333 (WA1622) as seen at Broadlands Park in Romsey on 4th July 1984 (Photo by Keith Heywood)


BAG with ambulance NFI




SA341B XW846 (WA1009) as seen at SPTA on 17th August 2020 (Photo by Mark Hillier)

[Helipixman]

Did you notice the Ambulance has Westland Helicopters Ltd and Aerodrome Ambulance on the side !

[Savoia]

Ah ha .. no I didn't, grazie Elipix! 👍

Might we say then that this was Yeovil in the 70's?

[Fabrice]

Does anyone know the story behind the aussie roundel on XZ333?

[Savoia]

SA341G N341GG (cn.1182) as seen at Goodwood Airfield on 14th September 2019


SA341G N341GG (cn.1182) in flight between Flanders and Zomergem in July 2020

Above photos courtesy of Avia member Arnaud.

To understand why this aircraft is called 'Sabina' go to post #4277 on page 143.




SA341B as seen in Kokkina, Cyprus in 1990 (Photo by Jens Voight)




SA341C G-CBGZ (WA1915) as seen at Breighton on 22nd September 2013 (Photo by Malcolm Clarke)

[Savoia]

Fabrice wrote: Does anyone know the story behind the Aussie roundel on XZ333?

Its a shame Zishelix isn't around because I am sure he would have answered this.

But, I think the the answer is that this aircraft is wearing Aussie roundels for the same reason the one below is wearing Bristow titles:


SA341B XZ318 (WA1609) almost certainly at Middle Wallop in 1990

I believe in the case of XZ333 the aircraft was lent to the Australian Army team who entered the World Helicopter Championships, and in the case of XZ318 above, that this was lent to the team from Bristow Helicopters but regarding 318 above I am sure Zis knows more.

[Rotorspot]

I believe in the case of XZ333 the aircraft was lent to the Australian Army team who entered the World Helicopter Championships.

XZ333 was pictured one day later (05-Jul-1984) at Middle Wallop with the same extras: see
https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1328400

Actually, I had come to the same conclusion: the World Helicopter Championships in 1984.

[Helipixman]

Tomorrow, Monday 24th August 2020 is the day that Hill Helicopters are meant to be unveiling their new Helicopter the Hill Helicopters HX50. Not Gazelle related I hear you say. Well I for one cannot wait to see what it looks like. The hype says it is a game changing helicopter, possibly knocking its rivals for six ?

It is rumoured to be like a Gazelle in appearance, five seats, fenestron style tail rotor and a small turbine engine. They have kept the design very secret, no photos available as far as I know, so tomorrow I hope we can see what all the hype is about and if it does resemble the Gazelle in any way?

[Savoia]

Please feel free to post this Gazelle 'look alike' when they release the info on this 'game changing' copter!

[Helipixman]

Here are a couple of photos of XX403 Gazelle AH.1 that we now know is in Belgium with xbdt. I am wondering if this has had a boom change at some stage as the paint is a slightly different colour to the cab ?



Both images taken at Redhill Aerodrome during Helitech shows.

[Savoia]

Yes, quite possibly a new boom or at least a re-painted boom.

[Savoia]

SA341 I-PNIC (cn.002) in Italia, NFI




Blue Eagles over Wallop during practice NFI




SA342M F-MAXS as seen at Le Luc Le Cannet on 23rd June 2007




SA341F2 ZU-HHP (cn.1597) as seen in the Drakensburg Mountains in 23rd August 2020

[Helipixman]

The HX50

Here is an image of the Hill HX50 rumoured to be like a Gazelle, more like an Agusta A109. I have not read through all the specs on their website, but what looks so game changing ? Also just CGI images, where is the prototype ?

Have a look at... www.hillhelicopters.com

[Savoia]

Very interesting, in fact I found myself being more interested in this design that I thought I might be when I first heard about it.

But .. developing a new helicopter which is truly revolutionary means developing all the 'heavy' as well as dynamic components such as blades, rotorhead, gearboxes, drivetrain and their various suspension and mounting systems as well as their coupling/interface with the powerplant, and while this is all 'normal stuff' for an established manufacturer, doing this from scratch can be quite a big 'first bite' both in terms of needed experience as well as financial resources. Will be interesting to see where this goes.

Fabrice, if you are reading this, do you happen to know whether the fenestron was patented by Sud Aviation/Aérospatiale?

[Helipixman]

I thought the exact same thing regarding the Fenestron ?

Looked online and it seems the concept of the fenestron was patented in Glasgow in May 1943 by G & J Weir Ltd with patent no 572417. They did not use the design on any of their many rotorcraft, so wonder if Sud Aviation did gain a patent for it ?

[Fabrice]

The Fenestron (being itself a registered name) has been patented by René Mouille, the talented chief engineer of Sud Aviation' helicopter department, under the number FR:158 807, on the 11 July 1966.
I would be curious to learn more about this Glasgow patented design?