Shrieking Gazelles

[Savoia]

G-OGEO





A couple more takes of G-OGEO 'at the races' c.2010. As to which races specifically, I am not yet sure. Photos by Dennis Penny

[Savoia]

SA341F2 ZU-RLD (cn.1659) as seen in Hartswater, South Africa in May 2017 (Photo: Graham Bekker)

Please note that we are keen to receive any photos (such as the one above) which may be added to our 'Dogs & Gazelles' collection.

[Savoia]

Mechanical Supervisor (Gazelle)

Boscombe Down, Salisbury

Initially until July 2018

More details

Cypriot Gazelle, hovering manoeuvres




SA341B XW885 (WA1152) NFI (This became G-ZZEL)

[Savoia]

SA341F2 ZU-RED (cn.1285) as seen at Port Elizabeth's Verwoerd Airport in South Africa on 8th April 2018 (Photo: Austin Ferreira)

[Savoia]

SA342L1 RA-0682G in Russia NFI


Alouettes on Avia

Check out Alouette News to see some shots of XR379 making her first return to Middle Wallop.

[Helipixman]

Is it not the same machine just a repaint ?

[Zishelix]

I wouldn't say it's just repainted one... this is 342 model.

[Savoia]

It is going to take a delegation of Aviaforans travelling to Russia to sort out the issue of these Russian Gazelles!

[Savoia]

SA341B XZ314 (WA1595) as seen at Groningen Airport in Eelde, the Netherlands on 31st August 1988 (Photo: Berend de Vries)

Perhaps assigned to 656 Squadron.

[Savoia]

ZU-RLD


ZU-RLD over the Vaal River, South Africa in February 2018 (Photo: Graham Bekker)

[Savoia]

50th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Fenestron

SA340 F-ZWRA 002 conducts the first flight of the Fenestron at Marignane on 12th April 1968 (Photo: Sud Aviation Archives)

Airbus Helicopters

The Fenestron is celebrating its 50th anniversary today.

We’ll post pictures throughout the day and the first five to guess all of them will win an H160 model!

https://twitter.com/AirbusHeli

https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fenestron50?src=hash

René Mouille avec le Fenestron (Photo: Zishelix Collection)

Read more about René Mouille here.

Post Your Fenestron Photos Today on Avia !!!


Fenestron from the 1st RHC

[Savoia]

In Other News ..



There is a Gaz brochure available on ebay in case anyone is interested, see here.

We always encourage our members and readers to snap-up any Gazelle memorabilia when they can so that these may be preserved for posterity.

If anyone does obtain this item (which has two days remaining) there are a number of Aviaforans would be appreciative of a scanned copy.

[md600driver]

It is going to take a delegation of Aviaforans travelling to Russia to sort out the issue of these Russian Gazelles!

Me and Mike are going in 901 to Minsk this summer for the World Helicopter Championships (click logo below) but I don’t think there are any Gazelles in the former Soviet Republic of Belarus.

Here's my fenestron contribution;

[Savoia]

Bravo Stefano! It is wonderful that you are supporting these events, providing representation for Britain and doing so in a Gaz. Great stuff!

Yes, you are right, Belarus is mainly Mil helicopter territory.

[Savoia]

Continuing our celebration of the Fesestron ..

Airbus Helicopters

** Guess which helicopter this Fenestron belongs to competition **

Here are the answers. Winners to be announced next week.

Bon chance!



https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fenestron50?src=hash

[Zishelix]

Wonderful idea, Sav!

Think it's appropriate to re-post this nice Tim Robinson collage of Gaz tails taken at Middle Wallop on April 8th, 2017.

[Savoia]

SA342J HA-LFH (cn 1775) as seen at Church Fenton in April 2018 (All photos courtesy of Team Haelo)

Bottom photo: The Haelo Gaz is seen at her home hangar with her stable mate G-DLFN, an Aero L-29 Delfin, aka the Haelo Jet.

With many thanks to Adriano for these shots!

[Savoia]

Gaz Squad News

As the show confirmations begin to land on the doormat, it's clear that we will be very busy this year.

Recent weeks has seen a lot of activity in support of our charities, we've hosted an event for BLESMA, we've delivered chocolate and the Easter Bunny to the children at Naomi House and we've facilitated school visits in support of Julia's House.

Unfortunately our attempts to reach the World at War event in Weston super Mare were thwarted by poor weather.

We have an additional three pilots with Display authorisations (DA's) and are working very hard on a new display with a subtle shift in focus, additional DA's gives us resilience and a little more flexibility. Manning shows with volunteers can be challenging, especially during the holiday season so additional display qualified pilots are always a very welcome resource.

The aircraft are going to get a good scrub and polish at the end of the month as the team meet at Bourne Park to spend a day on aircraft husbandry and we're looking forward to opening our show season by displaying at the Abingdon show on 6th May.

RA-0682G recording a speed of 298kmh/160kts earlier this month. This must be ground speed


SA341G(S) C-FWYN (cn 1308) as seen in British Columbia c.1990's


Another take on G-OGEO, seen here with AW109S EI-NBG (Photo: Dennis Penny)


Johan 'Juba’ Joubert with SA341F ZU-RLE (1678) at Ermelo Airport in South Africa on 7th April 2018 (Photo: Jarryd Sinovich)

Don't forget to like and follow our FB page ..



and to follow the news at ..

[Savoia]

Gazelle Technicians and Supervisors Required Immediately

We have been asked to find mechanics and avionic technicians to join a 6 month+ contract working on scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, upgrade and modification of Gazelle aircraft in the South of the UK.

We offer a good working environment, a good rate of pay and a guaranteed 45 or more hours per week along with a minimum contract term of 6 months.

To be considered ideally you will be able to show recent experience of working with the Gazelle, but we will also consider technicians who havent worked on the aircraft for up to 10 years, or those that have worked on other light military helicopters.
We are also looking for supervisory staff, and offer a higher rate for these additional responsibilities.

We will be looking for technicians to start throughout April and May, so even if you are not available for a little while yet get in touch and see what we have to offer - we look forward to hearing from you!

http://www.aviationjobsearch.com/job...-in-uk/9952917



SA342J F-GCCZ (cn.1393) NFI

Zis, are you able to confirm whether this bird flew with Air Provence as seems to be indicated on her boom?



SA341C XW868 (WA1130) as seen at RAF St. Mawgan in 1978

The above craft became G-CBKD evidently based on the Wales/Shropshire border.

[Savoia]

Okay.

Just to advise though that 'Cie' in French is an abbreviation for the word company, like 'Co.' in English.

[Rotorspot]

According to the French DGAC the ownership of 1393 is as follows:
15-11-1979 AIR AFFAIRES EJA FRANCE SARL
31-12-1981 CM-CIC BAIL
30-10-1986 SAF HELICOPTERES SAS
10-12-1986 FRAISSINET AVIATION S.A.
22-05-1998 M W HELICOPTERS LIMITED
03-02-2005 cnx as sold abroad

I suppose Air Provence was an operator, not an owner.

[Savoia]

Grazie Jos!

Now flying in the UK as YU-HEV.

[Savoia]

N71FR


SA341G(S) N71FR (cn.1274) at home in the BVI April 2018 (Photo: SW)

A lovely addition to our 'Dogs & Gazelles' collection.

[Savoia]

G-EZZL


SA341D G-EZZL (cn.1104) as seen on the Advance Helicopters apron at Shoreham on 28th April 2016 (Photo: Daryl Willcox)

[Savoia]

Two Montenegrin Gazelles escort the first of three Bell 412EP’s to be delivered to Vojska Crne Gore (the Armed Forces of Montenegro) on 13th April 2018. The two Gazelles escorted the craft in a flight over the capital Podgorica prior to the official handover which took place on 14th

[xbdt]

SA341G N2FW (cn.1363) captured during an air-to-air photo shoot over Los Angeles

Gazelle Pilot: Bob Muse
Astar Camera Pilot: John Tamburro

Enjoy!

[Savoia]

Very nice XB! Five stars *****

[Zishelix]

Very professional!

[Zishelix]

Experimental SA-349.2 (c/n 1201) exF-ZWRN at the Musee de l'ALAT et de l'Helicoptere in Dax

[xbdt]

The swashplate/MGB assy looks very different, also the cowlings are different. Interesting to see Aerospatiale made a tail drive shaft cover also.

[Savoia]

By construction no. 1201 would they not have been producing t/r driveshaft covers for the civilian market?

[xbdt]

I have some pictures of the mechanics under the covers. will post these in a new thread.

[dunstan]

it also appears to have 355 twin Hydraulic servos ,which leads to the question of where would the 2nd hydraulic pump be located and yes the swashplate appears different.

[Zishelix]

SA-349.2 had stronger transmission and considerably modified main-rotor blades in order to achieve higher manoeuvrability. The specific Gazelle had a busy life because it was used for many studies including the evaluation of a new concept of main rotor (Biflex and Triflex), the aerodynamic at high speeds for rotorcraft and the vibrations damping.

[xbdt]

Interesting to see a cog belt behind the igb, maybe it was made to drive the second hydraulic pump.

[Savoia]

Very interesting indeed! Grazie Zis.

[Savoia]

Flashback from Feb!


SA341G(S) N901B (cn.1410) as seen at Breighton Aerodrome on 4th February 2018 (Photo: David Marshall)

Avia member 'Stefano' (possibly with young Michael aboard) at what is known among some Aviafornas as 'Crabtree Aerodrome'.

[Savoia]

SA342 Gazelle Viviane 'GCH' as seen on the Niger-Chad border in December 2015

[Zishelix]

RN Display Team's 'Sharks' pilot sitting in his HT.3 reading Polish PKL Gazelle publication. Photo taken at Redhill Helitech 1995 by the author of the publication Miłosz Rusiecki

[Savoia]

Nice one!

Looks like this craft could have done with a fresh lick of paint though!

[N48284]

surely you mean HT.2?

[Zishelix]

Oops, you're right, HT.2 indeed... XZ942/CU42

[Savoia]

SA341D's XW899 (WA1192) and XW870 (WA1146) as seen at Greenham Common in August 1976

Wishing our Members and Readers
.
a Happy St. George's Day

[Savoia]

The Blue Eagles as seen at Biggin Hill in 2004 (Photo: Alistair McQuarrie)

[Savoia]

SA341C ZU-HBH (WA1418) as seen at Coves Airfield in South Africa on 21st April 2018



SA341H HA-LFX (cn.090) as seen at Nové Zámky Airport in Slovakia on 27th September 2014 (Photo: Varga György)

Zis/XB, HA-LFX is a Soko Partizan, but these don't usually have the 'box' on their aft belly (do they?). I tend to associate this with BAG's (British Army Gazelles). What is that box anyway?

[xbdt]

The box is a NADIR (that is what the french mil uses). It is a navigation antenna and computer etc... but I do not know the exact details.

[Zishelix]

Soko produced about 20 HI-42 for surveillance and reconnaissance missions (artillery support mainly) equipped with NADIR, #090 was one of them.

Animation how it works here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzwIfRYyBx4

[Savoia]

Grazie grazie XB e Zis .. molto apprezzato!

[Zishelix]

The first registration of SA.341G s/n 1414 was test/ferry F-WIPJ than sold to Italy and become I-ETBA (later F-GDFR, EC-EET & F-GKYC).



Since looks impossible to find any photo of this Gazelle with it's Italian or Spanish registrations, I wonder if some Aviaforan can help?

Last info I have about #1414 is from 1997. Anyone able to shed some light on her present condition?

[Savoia]

Do you think she could have be broken up for parts?

[Zishelix]

I rather think she's just long term parked somewhere

[Zishelix]

G-CBKA (ex XZ937) at Breighton in 2010 (Photo: Terry Fletcher)



One more photo of the same Gaz here