Shrieking Gazelles

[Ian]

Hi Zishelix,
PPRuNe Forums- Aircrew Forums- Rotorheads
Ferry Helicopter from South Africa to Europe
27/06/21
The "mods" have edited it since it was originally posted. The Oppenheimer helicopter is ferried down the east coast. It is long way up that west coast!
Has anybody on here done it? Shipping in container, does a Gazelle go into a 40' container? Shipping rates are currently sky high 10,000+ if you can get a place. The "spot" rate is much higher. Insurance, can you get it? One of the deleted posts implied that if the manifest showed a helicopter the container would "disappear".
Ian

[Zishelix]

Ian, much appreciated your kind explanation. Indeed looks like a challenging task to ship a helicopter on another continent nowadays Keeping my fingers crossed for you to succeed!

[Zishelix]

SA341G(S) YU-HHH c/n 1307 as seen at Norwich on 1st June 2021 (Photo by Nikoli Sparkes)

[md600driver]

Hi Zishelix,
PPRuNe Forums- Aircrew Forums- Rotorheads
Ferry Helicopter from South Africa to Europe
27/06/21
The "mods" have edited it since it was originally posted. The Oppenheimer helicopter is ferried down the east coast. It is long way up that west coast!
Has anybody on here done it? Shipping in container, does a Gazelle go into a 40' container? Shipping rates are currently sky high 10,000+ if you can get a place. The "spot" rate is much higher. Insurance, can you get it? One of the deleted posts implied that if the manifest showed a helicopter the container would "disappear".
Ian

I have shipped a few Gazelles to SA from the UK, also twice from Australia to the UK and twice from Israel to the UK as well as from the USA to UK and from the UK to USA and it will fit in a 40 ft high cube container.

However there are a couple of things you need to do. Firstly, you must remove the head and place it in the container with 2 pallets in front of the skids to hold the front up. Secondly, you need to remove the skid legs and fit travel legs which lower the overall height. Once you do do this, it will fit straight in.

There is another way, but I don’t recommend it, and that is to use an open top high cube container. If you choose this option then you must get a crane to lower the Gazelle into the container and then use a sheet to cover the top. However, the top of the head is very near the top of the container and could get easily damaged and which could potentially result in huge costs. I did send one to America from the UK this way and it did arrive safely, but I was worried all the way.

Yes, container prices have gone through the roof recently.

Flying one down there is possible, but even at today's container prices it is still cheaper by sea.

Never had a problem or worry about the aircraft disappearing, plus you can take out insurance cover.

If you need any help just let me know.

Steve

[Savoia]

SA341B's XW847 (WA1011) with XZ320 (WA1613) as seen at Enniskillen St. Angelo on 4th July 2007 (Photo by Wayne Fivey)

Attached to 665 Squadron.


SA341B ZB691 (WA2006) as seen at Manchester Barton on 17th July 2021 (Photo by Michael Powney)

[xbdt]

Hi Zishelix,
PPRuNe Forums- Aircrew Forums- Rotorheads
Ferry Helicopter from South Africa to Europe
27/06/21
The "mods" have edited it since it was originally posted. The Oppenheimer helicopter is ferried down the east coast. It is long way up that west coast!
Has anybody on here done it? Shipping in container, does a Gazelle go into a 40' container? Shipping rates are currently sky high 10,000+ if you can get a place. The "spot" rate is much higher. Insurance, can you get it? One of the deleted posts implied that if the manifest showed a helicopter the container would "disappear".
Ian

Same here, I have shipped and received several Gazelles all over the world. You need a 40 ft HC container with wooden floor.

There are different solutions, as described by Steve above, but you need to know that you cannot just take the head off and put it in the container. You will need the tool that supports the MGB to the A frames so it wont end up in the fuel tank. Probably you'll need a new MGB/MRH seal as these are brittle.

Second option is to take off the whole MRH/MGB assembly and engine. (about 2h work if you did it before).

Third option (and works best for me), make a low gear so the belly of the helicopter is 4cm from the ground, very easy, just roll the complete helicopter inside and strap everything. The standard gear can be bolted with C-clamps directly onto the container floor. On arrival, roll the helicopter out and hoist it so you can install the std gear.

I have pictures if needed.

[Zishelix]

YU-HEO c/n 1140 as seen at Cenej Airport in May 2007 (Photo: Predrag Stamenkovic)



Sadly lost in May 2008 when ditched into a shallow lake during aerial spraying.

[Savoia]

SA341B G-ZZEL (WA1152) as seen at Ha'penny Green on 26th September 2021 (Photo by Graeme Lovell)




SA341F2 ZU-RNV (cn.1608) as seen at Wonderboom Airport on 24th October 2021




SA342M in September 2021 NFI

[Savoia]

SA341H 12657 (cn.025) as seen in Montenegro NFI




SA341G N68375 (c.1003) as seen Stateside c.1970's




G-CBJZ Back in the UK

SA341D G-CBJZ (WA1734) is now back in the UK, currently at MW Helicopters and most probably for maintenance.

This aircraft is usually based in Germany.

[Zishelix]

The above photo of #1003 was taken at Fort Rucker Army Base in May 1973 during flight investigation of effects of a fan-in-fin yaw control concept on helicopter flying. The results can be seen here: https://ia800304.us.archive.org/34/i...9740010575.pdf

[Savoia]

Grazie Zis! 👍

[Savoia]

SA341C HA-HCD (WA1102) as seen at Balatonalmádi Yacht Club in Hungary on 4th September 2021 (Photo by Attila Groszvald-Groszi)

With our thanks to Zishelix for the above photo.




SA341B ZB693 (WA2009) as seen at Manchester Barton on 3rd August 2021 (Photo by Michael Powney)

[Savoia]

SA341G N37UP (cn.1224) as seen at Aeroporto di Pavullo nel Frignano, Modena in June 2017




SA342L's QA06 & QA08 as seen in Doha on 15th December 2017 (Photo by Stefan Fax)

[Rotorspot]

N341ZL Change of Ownership

N341ZL, SA341G, c/n 1262, changed ownership to Thomas Osborne, Bay City (OR) on 26-Oct-2021.

[Savoia]

Grazie Jos! 👍

This aircraft now seems to be operating in Australia.

[Savoia]

SA342L1 YU-HFF (cn.155) as seen at Petrovec Air Base in Macedonia (Photo by Igor Bozinovski)




SA341C XW895 (WA1174) as seen at RAF Leuchars on 13th September 2003

HA-HCD departure from Budaörs Airfield in Hungary




Qatari QA-07 mini-Gaz

[Savoia]

SA341D G-CBKA (WA1746) as seen at Pattles Grove Farm, Bury St. Edmunds on 2nd November 2021 (Photo by Tom Hobbs)


SA341G(S) YU-HWF (cn.1407) as seen at White Waltham on 2nd November 2021 (Photo by David Moth)




SA341G N341ZL (cn.1262) as seen at Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, Australia on 22nd October 2021

[Savoia]

SA341H 12719 (cn.098) as seen during 'Exercise Sadejstvo' in 2020 (Photo by Dimitrije Ostojic)




Gazelles in Montenegro NFI




SA341B XW888 (WA1159) as seen at Exeter Airport on 6th June 1980 (Photo by Chris England)

[Savoia]

Kuwaiti Police SA342L KAF-512 (cn.1339) NFI




ALAT Gazelle and crew during 'Exercise Gallia' in Cordoba, Spain on 7th October 1988 (Photo by Gilles Tariol)




Slovenian Air Force SA341H SL-HAA (cn.028) NFI

[Savoia]

SA341G N341GG (cn.1181) as seen at Aérodrome de Bex in Switzerland NFI (Photo by Michele Ceresa)




SA341B ZB671 (WA1958) as seen at SPTA NFI (Mark Harris)




SA341D G-RBIL (WA1199) as seen at Denham Airfield on 2nd November 2021 (Photo by Brian Nichols)

Video featuring SA341G RA-07822 (WA1073)
commentary in Russian

[Savoia]

SA341F2 ZU-RJH (cn.1374) as seen at Wonderboom Airport on 10th October 2021 (Photo by Bruce Perkins)




SA341B G-ZZEL (WA1152) as seen at Ha'penny Green on 6th November 2021 (Photo by Graeme Lovell)


SA341C G-BZDV (WA1150) as seen in West Sussex in November 2021 (Photo by Andy Lee)




Hirobo Mini Gaz in San Jose, California

[Savoia]

F-MAWS + 1 NFI

Any further details on the above photo would be appreciated.




SA341B G-ZZEL (WA1152) as seen at Gloucester Staverton on 8th November 2021 (Photo by Keith Wilson)


SA341G(S) YU-HWF (cn.1407) as seen at Denham on 1st October 2015 (Photo by Alan Bushell)

[Fabrice]

F-MAWS + 1 NFI
This is a picture taken by Remy Michelin, a French talented aviation photographer, and inserted in a book he published about the ALAT in 2004. It depicts two Gazelles from the EAALAT (Le Luc), the foreground one being a SA 341F2 used to train the ALAT pilots to operate the 20mm side gun.

[Savoia]

Grazie mille Fabrizio! 👍

Tu es une ⭐

[Helipixman]

New Owner for G-CTFS

G-CTFS, SA341C, WA1081, is now registered to The Gazelle Squadron Display Team Ltd as of 2.11.21

[Savoia]

Grazie Elipix! 👍

[Rotorspot]

N552T Cancelled from US Register

N552T, SA341G, c/n 1246, was cancelled from the US register on 30-Oct-2021.

No fate is given, but rumours are that she has been sold to China or Taiwan.

[Savoia]

Grazie Jos, always appreciated! 👍

That would be something if this craft ended-up in Taiwan. I don't think they've had a Gaz there before.

Zis, wasn't this Anthony Chan's sole civilian Gazelle?

[Zishelix]

Correct, I have Mr. Chan as the owner of N552T only.

[Savoia]

Grazie Zis! 👍

[Savoia]

Gazelles in Montenegro NFI




SA341B as seen in West Germany in the 1980's




SA341H SL-HAA (cn.028) as seen at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport on 23rd February 1993 (Photo by Fred Willemsen)

[Savoia]

SA342L1 F-MGEU (cn.4226) NFI



SA342L as seen fitted with AS12 wire-guided missiles in the late 1980's




SA341B ZU-RLH (WA1600) as seen in South Africa in November 2021 (Photo by Angelo Picoto)

[Zishelix]

Wow, what a rare finding!! Thanks, Sav.

[Savoia]

SA341G N505NM (cn.1408) as seen at Adelanto Airport in California on 21st February 2009 (Photo by Steve Conaway)





SA341B fitted with SNEB missiles and snow skis in the Falklands


Falklands Gazelle NFI

[Savoia]

Tunisian Air Force Gazelle L61 111




SA341B XX416 (WA1370) as seen at Luton in 1986 (Photo by Adrian Batchelor)

Also visible in this photo is XW904. This photo was taken by the late Adrian Batchelor a former Avia member.

RIP dear friend.

[Zishelix]

He is still sorely missed here

[Zishelix]

SA341G HB-XIL s/n WA1039 in the mid 1980's



Can anyone explain the Canadian flag on it's nose?

[Savoia]

Flying the Canadian ambassador perhaps?

[Zishelix]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btytAVrImxQ

[noscoavia]

SA341G WA1039 NESLAM Sunderland.

The new photo of HB-XIL reminded me that I had a ‘recent’ opportunity, to pay WA1039 a visit.

I have long been curious to see what this ‘relic’ now consists of. Although fictitiously depicted, within a ‘shed’ containing British Army related exhibits, the airframe is recognisable, as ‘substantially’ WA1039, last flown in 1984.

The tailboom has antenna base mountings exactly as WA1039 had in 1984. Specifically two sharks fin antenna mounts, on the forward and mid underside and the [now riveted up] VOR/LOC [towel rail] mounts, forward of the stabiliser.

The major crush damage, on the boom righthand side, has been superficially smoothed out, but is generally ‘rough’ on close inspection.

The rear main fuselage structure has a ‘give away’ identifying WA1039.This is a removeable camloc or dzus fastened panel [underneath the LH transmission access footstep/handhold] that covered the integral Schermuly flare mountings. This appears to be a rare feature.

The SFT French builds certainly did not have this, being instead fitted with LH rear skid downtube mounted flare holders, designed and made for SFT by Slingsby.

The lower forward structure appears, now, to be a little different, certainly the LH side skin.

WA1039 in 1984, had both 115VAC and 28VDC external power ports, with access doors. This area, now, has only provision for a 28V port and door.

The cockpit area is fitted with an instrument panel labelled as ‘XZ301’, while the RH TR pedals have ‘XX383’ painted on them.

Nosco

[Zishelix]

Much appreciated your post, Nosco! Indeed, the present airframe at NEAM consist of parts which belonged to other Gazelles (i.e. instrument table was taken from dismantled XZ301)



During restoration at the Museum's workshop in January 2002

[Savoia]

Lovely to see you back Nosco! 👍

[Helipixman]

G-BAGJ Personal Archives

Having seen HB-XIL in the post above, reminded me of when she was G-BAGJ, the one and only Gazelle I have flown in.

The picture below was taken at Battersea Heliport on 5th October 1974 and shows myself (left) my brother Peter (Middle) and good friend Paul Woolner (right). Behind us is Gazelle G-BAGJ and what looks like JetRanger G-BBET. You will note that both myself and my brother had our red and white Arsenal jackets on, mandatory in those days, according to my father.

[Savoia]

Ah Elipix, was a fantastic shot! 😊 👍

Yes, that was BBET, one of a handful of JetRangers bought new from Bell by Ben Turner Helicopters of which the Colonel was a director.

Also, 'just' visible in your shot is the nose of a Bristow Ranger, very likely one of those flown by Avia member Hoveratsix who is also a Scottish Rotors member.

[Savoia]

SA341F2 N383GZ (cn.1383) as seen at San Gabriel Valley Airport in November 2021 (Photo by Milan Mandic)




SA342M F-MGEK (cn.4216) as seen in Millau, Midi-Pyrenees on 16th October 2021 (Photo by Marco Papa)


SA342MV F-MGAS NFI

[Zishelix]

Can't confirm the authenticity of this photo!

[Savoia]

Ha ha, very nice Zis!

[Savoia]

SA342J YU-HES (cn.1057) as seen in Cumbria on 23rd August 2011 (Photo by A. Sinstadt)


Mozambique Air Force


Mozambique Air Force Gazelle flying near Pemba in Mozambique in November 2021


More Gaz refuelling ..


SA342M F-MGMD as seen refuelling NFI

Is the pilot here offering to pay by cash?




Unconfirmed reports suggest Avia member Carlo's G-BZYD may be in for her annual inspection with Falcon at Oxford.

[Fabrice]

'𝑺𝑨342𝑴 𝑭-𝑴𝑮𝑴𝑫 𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑵𝑭𝑰'

Well I'm not sure if the pilot had to pay in cash, but what I know is that this picture has been taken in Djibuti, during a Franco-US exercise where the DETALAT Gazelles where fuelled by a US C-130.

[Savoia]

Grazie mille Fabrizio! 👍

I don't suppose you happen to know the year?