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  • SA341G G-BAGJ (WA1039) as seen at Cirencester Park in Gloucestershire on 13th June 1973 (Photo by Trevor Bartlett)

    The lovely G-BAGJ seen attending a balloon meet in 1973, and just visible behind BAGJ .. the equally lovely G-AWGU which I had the pleasure of flying many times in the late 70's and early 80's.


    SA341G HA-LFA (cn.1097) as seen in Hungary NFI

    Comment




    • SA341G ZU-ROO (cn1301) as seen at Mossel Bay Airport on 26th November 2020 (Photo by Cassie Nel)

      While the above photo was taken by Cassie Nel, it was sent to us by Duncan Gillespie who also sent us all the photos and videos relating to ZU-RLD's recent event. Grazie mille Duncan!




      SA341B XW865 (WA1119) as seen at Calgary Airport on 16th July 2020




      SA341B XX405 (WA1343) as seen at Aldergrove in Northern Ireland on 17th February 2021 (Photo by Jonas Verner)

      Comment




      • SA341F2 N2MF (cn.1448) as seen at North Las Vegas Airport on 19th January 2021 (Photo by Robert Domandl)




        SA341B XX384 (WA1276) as seen at Gutersloh in Germany on 16th June 1999 (Photo by Joop de Groot)




        F-MBWN as seen at Phalsbourg in May 1991 (Photo by Gilles Tariol)

        Jakub, I am not sure if this was a Gulf War Gaz, but she seems to be wearing the appropriate markings.

        I am also unsure as to which model this is (341F2?) and of her construction number. There was mention of 1438, but on Jos' list this is recorded as a 342L with Ecuadorian markings. Hopefully Fabrizio can assist us.




        Arms Dealers Facing Prosecution

        Erik Prince (American) and Amanda Perry (British) are among those accused by the United Nations of violating an arms embargo through their association with 'Operation Opus' which involved the supply of weapons and armaments to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar in 2019. Also supplied were a number of aircraft including three Gazelle helicopters.

        https://www.foxnews.com/world/blackw...ions-un-report

        https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/u...ftar-mjztpc29d

        Comment


        • Jakub Cikhart
          Jakub Cikhart commented
          Editing a comment
          Great pic !!! It looks like it is 1483 not 1438, with BWN (I have it wrongly as BWH) with 34 tail code. I have it as an SA-341F1, 3e RHC, green camo, JVN, NAVSTAR (HAP). Really great great pic !!!

        • Savoia
          Savoia commented
          Editing a comment
          Grazie Jakub!

          That's really helpful to have the right construction number. 👍 I am wondering though whether it is an F2?

          Jos has this aircraft as being on the US register as N341KJ, although I have never seen a photo of this.



      • SA342M's at Étain-Rouvres Air Base in February 2021


        SA342M F-MGEC near Étain-Rouvres Air Base in February 2021




        SA341D XZ936 (WA1743) as seen at RAF Fairford on 22nd July 1989

        Comment




        • SA342L KAF501 (cn.1085) as seen at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in July 2016 (Photo by S. Teliks)




          SA342M as seen in Mali in 2013

          Comment


          • Fabrice
            Fabrice commented
            Editing a comment
            Not in Mali, an pre-2009 picture. From 2009 on, all the ALAT Gazelles have been coded with lifelong regs, beginning with a G. On this one, the reg indicates the unit as per the old system, in this case Etain's 3ème RHC. It's a SA 341F2 btw (no doppler fairing under the aft fuselage, which makes the most noticeable difference with the ALAT 342s).

          • Savoia
            Savoia commented
            Editing a comment
            Grazie Fabrizio! 👍

            A lot of misinformation being sent with these photos, but we are so glad for your input.



        • SA342MV F-MGBE (cn.2053) as seen at RAF Fairford on 20th July 2019 (Photo by Lee Adcock)

          Estimated Blade Height Competition!

          Approximately how high do you think GBE's forward main blade is from the ground?

          a) 2 feet
          b) 3 feet
          c) 4 feet
          d) 5 feet

          Please offer your best estimate in the comments below.

          Fabrizio, can you confirm that this aircraft is wearing Fennec blades. Also, can anyone say whether you can fit Fennec blades onto an SA341B for example and what the increased performance would be?




          SA341B XZ333 (WA1622) as seen at RAF Mildenhall on 29th May 1988




          Digital SA342MV's




          Gazelles engaged in mercenary operations in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique in February 2021

          The current mercenary rotary force in Mozambique consists of 2 x Gazelle, 2 x Alouette III and 1 x Bell 407.

          Comment


          • Tasty
            Tasty commented
            Editing a comment
            Between 3 and 4 feet and I confirm that this Gazelle is wearing Fennec blades (like all the 342M1 and MA).

            I don’t know if you can fit these blades on a 341B but it could increase the payload of 200kg.

            I was the PIC for the RIAT 2019.

          • Savoia
            Savoia commented
            Editing a comment
            Grazie XB! 👍

            '𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 3 𝙖𝙣𝙙 4 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙩' — Exactement, c'est ce que je pense.

            '𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 200𝙠𝙜.'; — This is what I imagined, a significant performance enhancement (as if this was needed on a privately operated Gazelle). Perhaps because of the varying rrpm this would be more suited to civilian-owned 342 and presumably in the future some ex-ALAT 342's will be sold to civilians with the Fennec blades fitted. I think you may encounter a small speed increase too if for example you were to fit these to a 342J and then put it on the experimental category (if one wanted to do such a thing).

            '𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙄𝘾 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙄𝘼𝙏 2019.' — Bravo Julien 👍 tu es une ⭐

          • xbdt
            xbdt commented
            Editing a comment
            Yes of course the latest french 342M's will be with the 355 blades but probably many years from now. It is not just a matter of fitting the 355 blades, but the blade root fixtures are different (so they suit the gazelle sleeves and drag damper) and the pitch links are shorter. Probably the inertia is lower due to the lower rrpm on the 341 and the lighter weight of the blades so maybe therefore they only allowed these to be fitted on the 342.

        • Originally posted by Savoia View Post

          SA342L KAF501 (cn.1085) as seen at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in July 2016 (Photo by S. Teliks)

          Seeing the nice picture of the Kuwaiti SA342L, reminds me of a question that I have. I think the Kuwaiti Gazelles were delivered as SA342K models. Some are now known as SA342L model. Have they been modified? If so, when did that happen?

          Comment


          • Fabrice
            Fabrice commented
            Editing a comment
            '𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝘼𝙁 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝘼342, 𝙞𝙚. 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙁𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣?'

            Actually, Kuwait was the very first worldwide customer to have 342s. The ALAT had its own 342M some years later (from 1980 on). The 342 with the Astazou XIV was not designed according to any official requirement, but only as a private initiative from Aerospatiale.

            I don't think that the high gear is linked to any specific version, I believe it is simply an option you can add, or not, like sand filters, armament and so on.

          • Savoia
            Savoia commented
            Editing a comment
            Grazie Fabrizio, so much appreciated! 👍

          • Rotorspot
            Rotorspot commented
            Editing a comment
            Thanks for the help and updates.



        • SA341G(S) G-ZELL (cn.1280) as seen at Athens Hellinikon Airport in Greece in the 1990's (Photo courtesy of George Pantalos)




          New Gazelles Delivered to Mozambique

          Aside from the mercenary Gazelles currently operating in Mozambique, two new Gazelles have also recently been delivered as per below:


          SA341B FA-085 (WA1435) as seen at Nacala Airport, Mozambique in February 2021 (ex-XX445)


          SA341B FA-083 (WA1966) as seen at Nacala Airport, Mozambique in February 2021 (ex-ZB673)

          With our thanks to the Avia reader who supplied these photos.

          If you have any Gazelle news, photos or videos you wish to see posted on Shrieking Gazelles, please write to: aviafora1@gmail.com

          Elipix, do you remember how you recently enquired about the whereabouts of some of the Gazelles stored at Stapleford and how I replied that there may have been some which were sold and which we were unaware of .. well here are two which are confirmed (thanks to one of our reader's) as having been stored in Martin's warehouse.

          Comment




          • More Gazelles Being Readied for Southern Africa

            We are able to confirm that four ex-MoD SA341B's from the MW store at Stapleford are currently being readied for shipment to South Africa. These are (obviously) in addition to the two examples recently delivered to Mozambique and of which we shared images from Stapleford late last year as they were being prepared.

            Whether these four aircraft will serve in Mozambique, at the Paramount Academy in Polokwane or with some other African defence force, we are not yet sure.






            SA341B's being prepared for shipment to South Africa as seen at Stapleford Aerodrome on 26th February 2021

            These aircraft are currently having Garmin GPS systems fitted to them.










            SA341G(S) YU-HHH (cn.1307) as seen at Stapleford Aerodrome on 26th February 2021

            Aviafora is blessed with some truly wonderful supporters. One such supporter (a notable character within the aviation community who is currently visiting the UK) took time out of his schedule yesterday to pass by Stapleford for the purpose of taking some photos specifically for this thread. Together with our readers, I wish to express our gratitude to him for this very kind gesture; and to him I say .. grazie mille amico!


            Comment


            • Helipixman
              Helipixman commented
              Editing a comment
              I echo what is being said above, we do have some wonderful supporters, great news that a few more of the Stapleford store are finding their way back into the air. I notice in the back ground of one of the photographs is XX462 !

            • Zishelix
              Zishelix commented
              Editing a comment
              I'm grateful to the 'hidden supporter' on these lovely contribution to the thread! Well done



          • Gazelle Down in the Central African Republic

            An unidentified Gazelle helicopter has crashed near the town of Bozoum in the Central African Republic which was overrun by rebel forces earlier in the week.

            Initial reports suggest that the Gazelle may have been operated by the Russian PMC Wagner.



            The remains of a Gazelle helicopter which is thought to have crashed in the Central African Republic this weekend

            Comment


            • Savoia
              Savoia commented
              Editing a comment
              Grazie Fabrizio.

            • Helipixman
              Helipixman commented
              Editing a comment
              It's no wonder more are being exported to South Africa, they are running out.







          • SA341G(S) YU-HOT (cn.1390) as seen in Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia on 17th February 2021 (Photos by Aleksandar Zubac)




            SA342M F-MGCF as seen at Marignane on 26th February 2021 (Photo by Damien Fournier)


            SA342M F-MGEA as seen at Marignane on 26th February 2021 (Photo by Damien Fournier)

            Comment


            • Helipixman
              Helipixman commented
              Editing a comment
              YU-HOT, that is very cool, far better than a super yacht !

          • Unidentified Gazelle

            Does anyone know the identity of the Gazelle which took part in the movie 'Devil's Playground'?





            https://sorryneverheardofit.wordpres...ls-playground/

            Comment


            • Savoia
              Savoia commented
              Editing a comment
              Ah Zis .. you are back .. bravo! 👍

              Bartolomeo 'Bart' Ruspoli was one of the producers on that movie, he may recall from where they located that airframe.

              https://uk.linkedin.com/in/bart-ruspoli-6802a6a9

            • Helipixman
              Helipixman commented
              Editing a comment
              I contacted the production team a while ago and they could not say where they sourced the Gazelle from !

            • Savoia
              Savoia commented
              Editing a comment
              Living-up to your reputation as 🚁⭐ grazie! 👍

              It was a bit of a longshot but worth the try. Perhaps we will only find out if we can track down the driver or spanner who were involved with this bird during the shooting.



          • SA341H 12803 (cn.030) as seen at Batajnica Air Base in Serbia on 1st September 2012

            Seen with Serbian/Yugoslav air force centenary markings.




            SA342M F-MAOG (cn.2188) as seen at Middle Wallop on 22nd July 1990 (Photo by Philip Hancock)




            SA341B as seen at San Carlos in the Falklands Islands NFI

            Comment




            • I'd love to obtain one more photo of N2LN for my collection, so any help would me much appreciated!

              Comment


              • Savoia
                Savoia commented
                Editing a comment
                What a shot Zis, just lovely! 👍

                Do you know anything about this bird, where she flew and what she did etc?



            • I am glad to share the latest additions to my Gulf War Gazelle collection:

              First is XZ298



              This photo is courtesy if David Gell

              Second is a tale of 3 sexy a**es

              XX372, XZ308 and XZ347



              Enjoy !!!!!

              You can visit my website https://www.dstorm.eu/ whenever you like.

              Comment


              • Savoia
                Savoia commented
                Editing a comment
                '𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 3 𝙨𝙚𝙭𝙮 𝙖**𝙚𝙨' — More like dirty underwear me thinks!

                Nice photos Jakub, and I am glad that you are still able to add more Gulf War Gazelles to your collection.

                I see the chap in the top photo with 298 seems to be smoking a pipe. In between his cigars, my late father used to smoke a pipe.



            • A Gazelle for Norway

              A reservation has been made as follows:-

              LN-ODE(2) SA342M (4032) for Norwegian Camo Support AS (Aeroservice AS) at Hamar.

              Reservation date 21.12.20

              Comment


              • Savoia
                Savoia commented
                Editing a comment
                This is incredible news Elipix, bravo!

                This is going to be the first Gaz in Scandinavia since SE-HUN.



            • Newly Registered British Gazelles

              G-CLXM SA341B (1652) ex XZ331
              G-CLXP SA341B (1631) ex XZ323
              G-CLXR SA341B (1507) ex XZ295

              All registered to The Gazelle Squadron Display Team Ltd on 3.3.21




              Witham Specialist Vehicle Sales Ltd have the following Gazelles which are due to be auctioned:

              XX378, XX442, XX447, XZ311, XZ322, XZ337

              Comment


              • Rotorspot
                Rotorspot commented
                Editing a comment
                Well done. May I ask what is the reason behind the idea to put these on the register? Will they be sold?

              • Savoia
                Savoia commented
                Editing a comment
                Bravo Elipix, grazie mille! 👍

              • Helipixman
                Helipixman commented
                Editing a comment
                Jos I have no idea why they are on the register ? The Gazelle Squadron have so many now and lots of them are just not flying, are they all for rebuild ? Take one of the early ones G-FUKM (surprised this registration got through) it has sat for years with nothing being done to it, it was registered to Falcon Aviation in August 2003 !



            • Current Rundown of AAC Fleet

              AAC 665 Squadron, Aldergrove
              XW847, XZ320, ZA772, ZA775, ZB665, ZB669, ZB678, ZB690, ZB693.

              AAC 29 FLT BATUS, Suffield
              XZ340, ZA731, ZA736

              AAC 7 Regiment CF, Middle Wallop
              XZ334, ZB674, ZB691.

              Standard Aero, Fleetlands (Maintenance store)
              XW846, XW865, XX405, XZ290, XZ326, ZA766, ZB671, ZB679.

              Aircraft Maintenance & Storage Unit (AM & SU), RAF Shawbury
              ZA773, ZB677, ZB683, ZB689.

              Comment


              • Savoia
                Savoia commented
                Editing a comment
                Grazie Elipix! 👍

                Just 27 airframes remaining.



            • SA341B XZ303 (WA1539) as seen at Sion, Switzerland in 1989 (Photo by Urs Baettig)




              E7-VDH Impounded in Serbia



              A little late, so this will be for the thread record. Soko Gazelle SA341H E7-VDH (cn.060) was impounded last year by the Serbian Police. This was due to the arrest of its owner who, together with his wife, was arrested for engagement in fraudulent activities.

              We are unsure as to the present status of this aircraft.




              Feature Article

              Montenegro is a small country in Europe with perhaps one of the most interesting histories among the Balkan countries. It is definitely the youngest of the Balkan nations as its independence was regained in 2006.

              Going through numerous political situations, Montenegro’s capital city, Podgorica, has been renamed a couple of times, going from Podgorica to Titograd (named after the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s leader Josip Broz Tito) and after the formal break-up of Yugoslavia, going back to its prior name Podgorica. The city is also where the Montenegrin air force is based.


              One of Montenegro's legendary Gazelles

              The Small Air Force with a Big History

              The Montenegro Air Force inherits a tradition from a unit that was formed at the end of World War II, exactly on 25 December 1944 as an interceptor regiment. From 1944 to 1968, the unit was relocated several times, moving from Cerklje, Slovenia, to Zadar, Croatia, and finally in 1968 it was relocated to Titograd (today's Podgorica).

              In 1992, it began training helicopter pilots. During its history the helicopter unit trained more than 1,400 cadets. In 1994, Montenegro was the largest air force unit in the Balkans, and consisted of six squadrons (four fixed-wings and two rotary wings) and had two acrobatic teams. “Today, the Montenegrin air force consists of one mixed squadron, the Air Operations Center, and the Force Protection Platoon,” says Air Force Commander, Lt. Col. Bojan Blagojevic.

              They still have some older “Gazelles” parked in their hangars. “The Gazelle is one of the most successful and reliable helicopters in the world,” says Major Goran Sencic. “We have trained all of our helicopter pilots on it and we got some really great experiences from that platform. It is an excellent platform for base and advanced flight training and it has also proven to be a good attack helicopter. It has been used in anti-armor combat using an SA-3 Sagger, the wire-guided missile.”

              Blagojevic further explains, “The Gazelles proved to be an excellent training platform when our first pilots successfully completed the type ratings on the Bell 412 in Bell Training Academy two years ago. They transferred to the B412 directly from the Gazelles. We will keep Gazelle in our memories as a great helicopter.”

              “Now, it is time to create a new high quality fleet for our pilots,” says the Minister of Defence, Predrag Boskovic.

              A New Bell Ringing

              “The reason we started investigating the Bell 505 was because our previous fleet of Gazelles was about 35 years old and needed to be retired. As we worked with Bell Helicopters in the past, we decided to continue working with them for the new segment of helicopters we need for military training and search and rescue,” explains Boskovic.

              With the new 505 on their fleet, they currently have four helicopters in operational use – a Bell 412EP, two Bell 412 EPIs, and the newest Bell 505. They also have a twin-engine Cessna 421B fixed-wing in operational use. The Ministry of Defence indicates that next year, they will add one more Bell 505 to the fleet.

              Montenegro is known as an easy-going country. A Montenegrin tongue-in-cheek saying is: “If you have the urge to work, sit down, wait, and you’ll see it pass.” The Helicopter Unit does not do that. Blagojevic says, “Our main business is maintaining an optimal level of combat readiness and active cooperation with allies and partners, performing surveillance and protection of the sovereignty of Montenegrin airspace, providing air support to the armed forces of Montenegro and partner countries, and we providing support to Montenegrin civilian institutions. In our facilities, we offer logistic support to allies and partners, such as standing positions for aircrafts on our military apron, refuelling and APU (on request), classroom and office spaces, and accommodations for up to 35 people, medical support, and weather services. Of course all these mentioned capacities are in use by our own Montenegrin air force.”

              The Montenegrin helicopter unit consists of 25 pilots. When asked what was their most interesting pilot experience, they agreed it was the procurement of the new Bell 412 helicopters and their first flights on the platform. However, the Bell 505 also left a positive impression with Major Goran Sencic. He says, “My first contact with the Bell 505 was in France. We decided on the 505 due to its price, quality and the technical specifications such as the FADEC and modern avionics. Up to this moment, it is exceeding our expectations!” He adds that the Bell 505 will be used in different ways for military training, and will also be used in supporting light transport and in transporting special teams.

              When asked about why they chose this specific model, Sencic explains, “When we were deciding on a new trainer and looking at the Bell 505, the main goal was to be able to adapt to fly the Bell 412EPI and decrease the adaption time. It is important in the initial training phase to decrease workload, allowing more time for other decisions.”

              An important factor was also the FADEC. “A FADEC isn't usually provided in light helicopters and that is what sets the Bell 505 apart from others,” says Sencic.

              The Ministry of Defence explains, when taking into consideration which helicopter to buy, maintenance requirements and parts availability is equally important to the helicopter’s qualities. Bell Helicopter's services are also on point in this area. “We have maintenance platoons in our mixed squadron, which perform maintenance on the Bell 412 and Bell 505. We perform line- and base-level maintenance for our platforms. Depot-level maintenance is provided by Bell Helicopter official service centers,” says Blagojevic.

              Currently Montenegro technicians are training in the unit as well as abroad in official Bell Helicopter training centers.
              https://justhelicopters.com/Articles...THEIR-NEW-BELL


              Comment


              • Helipixman
                Helipixman commented
                Editing a comment
                E7-VDH seems to be a helicopter in real trouble ?

                The owner is/was Dalibor Visic of VDH Security, at the time of the confiscation it was in the hands of Goran and Martina Rosso who it seems were arrested for property theft among 13 reported crimes.

                There were problems with adverts saying it was used for medical flights and it was also used for transporting politicians around the country . It is reported that the pilot was a Zoran Okilj who is an ex military pilot and was a director of Banja Luka airport.

                All information above widely available on the web.

              • Savoia
                Savoia commented
                Editing a comment
                Always able to put your finger on the info Elipix, grazie!👍

                Let's hope the aircraft has a happier future.



            • SA341G F-WIEP (cn.1001) as seen at Hannover-Langenhagen Airport on 29th April 1972 (Photo by Ad Vercruijsse)




              Mercenary Gazelles as seen in Mozambique in February 2021


              Twin-barrelled automatic rifles fitted to mercenary Gazelle in Mozambique in February 2021


              Machine gun fitted to mercenary Gazelle in Mozambique in February 2021


              Improvised 'barrel bombs' being carried aboard a mercenary Alouette III in Mozambique in February 2021


              Barrel bomb being carried by a mercenary in Mozambique in February 2021

              Gazelles and Alouette in Mozambique serving with Lionel Dyck mercenary services, all photos courtesy of Robert Young Pelton



              Mercenaries ‘shot civilians’ in fight against militants linked to Islamic State

              Mercenaries in helicopters fired machineguns and dropped hand grenades into crowds of civilians while battling Islamic militants in southern Africa.

              A private army hired by the government of Mozambique from South Africa has been accused of committing war crimes after an investigation by Amnesty International into the deaths of unarmed citizens and air attacks on homes, schools and hospitals.

              Militants linked to Islamic State and Mozambique’s own state forces have also been implicated in atrocities in a report about the conflict close to Africa’s largest energy project, which Britain is backing with a loan of £1 billion.

              One witness told Amnesty she was trapped inside her home for six days last June as mercenaries from Dyck Advisory Group “shot everything and everyone” in the northern town of Mocímboa da Praia, as they targeted militants hiding in a local hospital.

              “For them it was no longer possible to know who was who,” she said.

              The Dyck group has deployed about 30 men to the conflict which began in 2017 in Cabo Delgado province, close to the border with Tanzania. Its head Colonel Lionel Dyck, 76, denied Amnesty’s claims and would be sending his own legal team to investigate.

              “All my men sign contracts with strict human rights clauses,” he told The Times. “We have been in this game a long time and know what we can and cannot do.”

              Dyck, a former commander of the Rhodesian African Rifles and Zimbabwe Parachute Battalion, described in an interview atrocities “unlike anything I have seen before”, including the mutilation of body parts and cannibalism. He has forecast “a catastrophe for the entire region” of southern Africa unless the insurgents are halted.

              Amnesty has called on the South African government to take action against Dyck’s group if it finds it has breached laws on mercenary activity. The laws were introduced after the 2004 bungled coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea.

              Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s foreign minister, has claimed in an interview that Portugal, Mozambique’s former colonial power, was already “very active” in fighting the militants and “had soldiers, feet on the ground”.

              It is estimated that 1,500 people have been killed and 530,000 displaced since fighting erupted. Amnesty’s investigation into atrocities committed by pro-government forces, the militants and the mercenaries is based on interviews with 79 people from 15 communities. Those fleeing the fighting have described torture, beheadings and the abduction of women and children.

              The mostly Muslim 2.3 million population of Cabo Delgado, a neglected region, has been ripe for recruitment by Al-Shabaab militants — not linked to a group by the same name in Somalia. The unit numbered a few dozen a couple of years ago but now is thought to have amassed up to 4,000 fighters.

              https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/m...be434bb8729f1c

              Islamic State eyes Africa as new front line

              Comment




              • Ed Darvill Copters' Gazelle at work on the oil field. I hope you'll enjoy this classic photo as I do!

                C-FEDG c/n 1181 Latornell area, Alberta on December 14th, 1978 (Photo: Steve Aubury)

                Comment




                • SA341B XX380 (WA1268) as seen at RNAS Yeovilton on 4th June 1994 (Photo by Ken Videan)



                  SA341B XZ340 (WA1691) as seen at Calgary Airport on 28th June 2016 (Hamza Hasnat)

                  Following Zis' return to the Snow Gazelles ..




                  SA341C RA-05708 (WA1045) in Abkhazia on 5th March 2021


                  SA341C RA-05708 (WA1045) take-off in Abkhazia on 5th March 2021


                  Mozambique Gazelles

                  Defence Web are now reporting the delivering of Gazelles to the Mozambique Air Force:

                  https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospa...can-air-force/

                  Comment




                  • Mercenary Gazelles Identified in the Central African Republic

                    One of two mercenary Gazelles currently operating in the Central African Republic has been identified and we believe we also have an identity for the Gazelle which crashed at the end of February.

                    Both aircraft are Soko Gazelles and were brought into the Central African Republic (CAR) by the Russian PMC Wagner and appear to have been placed on the CAR register.


                    SA341H TL-WJU (cn.055) ex- RA-05710 as seen in the Central African Republic in February 2021

                    The Gazelle which crashed at the end of February is believed to be SA341H formerly RA-05702 (cn.058) which was also deployed last year in Libya. We are yet to understand the circumstances leading to the crash of 702 but 'Scramble' write the following:

                    It is reported that the helicopter was en-route to pick up some Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Group after they had suffered injuries. The Wagner Group - known to have operations in the country - was supporting a convoy of troops of the CAR military that was under attack. The machine was called upon to evacuate some wounded Wagner Group troops.

                    On its route to the convoy, the Gazelle faced technical issues after which the pilot decided to make an emergency landing. During the landing, the helicopter flipped over and crashed. The two-man crew survived the accident, but the helicopter is considered as a write off. It is unclear if the helicopter started to burn after it crashed, or if it was set on fire by the crew, to make sure that the Gazelle would not fall into enemy hands. The latter is likely as the reporter is doing his report in front of a non-burned Gazelle.

                    Strikingly, the Force Aérienne Centrafricaine (FAC, Central African Republic Air Force) is not equipped with the SA341/342 Gazelle. Most probably, the Gazelle is part of a fleet of helicopters operated by Private Military Companies that operate throughout the African continent. For example, South African PMC Dyck Advisory Group are fighting terrorists and anti-poachers in Mozambique. PMCs are known to operate Alouette III, Bell 206 Jet Rangers and Gazelle helicopters which operate in tension areas like CAR, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, Mozambique and South Sudan.

                    https://www.scramble.nl/military-new...rican-republic
                    While 'Live Journal' wrote:

                    The incident took place on February 27. The multipurpose helicopter SA341 Gazelle, piloted by a Russian mercenary, made a hard landing near the capital of the prefecture of Ouam-Pende, Bozum.

                    More Russian mercenaries quickly arrived at the crash site and evacuated the pilot and the wounded man he was transporting. After that, the aircraft was burned.

                    Until now, information about the participation of Russian mercenaries in the state of emergency remained unconfirmed, but a story about the participation of Russians in the conflict in the CAR was released on Russian television.

                    The story doesn’t relate to military instructors officially present in the country, but about the mercenaries, who in the plot are referred to as “Russian specialists.” These “Specialists” carry out combat missions in the CAR, but none of them are named and only one mercenary had his face shown.

                    “We took off and began to circle sharply. Spun, spun and fell. (…) No harm done. We fell on soft ground,” the unnamed wounded soldier told the correspondent Alexander Rogatkin.

                    The squad leader requested an urgent helicopter evacuation. When he landed in the swamp, fuel leaked from his tank. As a result, there was a fire.

                    The pilot and the wounded instructor were taken with a military convoy to the nearest airfield. It is clarified that the road took five hours, since it was necessary to move on a broken dirt road. From there they will be sent to Moscow.

                    Earlier it was reported that the information about the helicopter crash was not confirmed officially.

                    In December, at the request of the CAR authorities, Russia sent 300 military instructors to the country. It was clarified that on the spot they would train the servicemen of the republic’s national army. At the same time, information appeared that Russian mercenaries began to help the CAR army – they were noticed 130 kilometers north-west of the republic’s capital, Bangui, along with mercenaries from Rwanda and representatives of the CAR Armed Forces.

                    https://izwest.livejournal.com/9881080.html





                    Mercenary Gazelles in the Central African Republic in February 2021




                    SA341B XX405 (WA1343) as seen at Belfast Airport on 7th March 2021 (Photo by Gavin)








                    SA341B RA-05709 (WA1184) as seen at Mostovoy Airfield in Bratsk, Russia on 7th March 2021

                    Photos courtesy of Avia member Kirill grazie mille Kirill!

                    Meanwhile .. one day earlier and 7,000 kms to the west, parts of Belgium were entering into a Spring-like atmosphere, and of course with Spring .. comes cleaning!








                    SA341G N700SH (cn.1154) as seen at Lotenhulle in Belgium on 6th March 2021

                    Photos courtesy of Avia member Kurt grazie mille Kurt!

                    Comment


                    • Rotorspot
                      Rotorspot commented
                      Editing a comment
                      Great info, Savoia. How do you know the identity of TL-WJU?

                    • Rotorspot
                      Rotorspot commented
                      Editing a comment
                      Just found the information in the video clip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-y9xJ25ho0

                      After about 1:44 you can see the registration RA-05710 and the c/n 055 on the instrument panel.

                    • Savoia
                      Savoia commented
                      Editing a comment
                      Sì Jos, from all the available information this seems to be 055.



                  • The one and only photo of SA.341G C-GUSA (s/n. 1263) I have in my collection:



                    Is anyone able to share some more pics of this machine?

                    Comment


                    • Helipixman
                      Helipixman commented
                      Editing a comment
                      I am afraid I cannot help, this is the only photo of C-GUSA I have ever seen.



                  • SA341F2 F-MBOU (1544) as seen Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands in 1994 (Photo by Paul Downes)




                    SA341B XW888 (WA1159) as seen at RAF Abingdon on 15th September 1979 (Photo by Keith Sowter)

                    Comment




                    • WA341C c/n 1045 G-TIZZ seen at Wolverhampton on June 9th, 2012 (Photo: Robert Beaver)



                      Does anybody know for how long the specific registration was valid and who own the machine at the time?

                      Comment


                      • Savoia
                        Savoia commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Always nice to see a Gaz owner smiling in this case actually laughing. 😆

                        G-TIZZ active from 15 Sep 09 to 21 Feb 11 and registered jointly to Paul Whitaker and Bruce Stewart. Now flying as RA-05708 in Abkhazia and which you can see just a few posts above.

                        I have some photos of TIZZ at Castle Island in Dorset and which I shall post in the future.

                      • Zishelix
                        Zishelix commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Molto grazie, Sav!

                      • Helipixman
                        Helipixman commented
                        Editing a comment
                        The original owner of G-TIZZ was Robert Henry Kirke, 15.9.09 to 21.2.11 and the reason for the registration he previously had a Hughes 369HE which was registered G-DIZZ and wanted to keep the IZZ part !

                        Whitaker and Stuart had this after him, 21.2.11 to 13.11.12

                    • Cargo Gaz

                      Photo depicting the Gazelle's cargo capabilities, taken from an original promotional booklet.

                      Comment


                      • Helipixman
                        Helipixman commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Not sure how much cargo it can carry if it has no rotors attached - strange promotional picture



                    • SA342M F-MGBA with F-MGCI as seen at Aérodrome Saint Dié Remomeix on 9th March 2021 (Photo by William Musculus)




                      SA341G YU-HHS (WA1067) as seen t Lisičji Jarak Airport in Serbia on 9th March 2021 (Photo by Vlada Trifunovic)




                      SA341F2 ZU-RNV (cn.1608) as seen in South Africa on 9th March 2021 (Photo courtesy of Avia member Jean-Pierre)

                      Comment


                      • F-GOSO

                        SA342J c/n 1057 F-GOSO at Stapleford Tawney in September 12th, 2004 (Photo: Mick Bajcar)



                        This aircraft only wore this registration for a short period of time and so there are only a few photos of her as F-GOSO.

                        Comment




                        • SA341G G-SFTD (cn.1145) as seen at Goodwood in 1987




                          SA342M F-MBGE as seen at Rochefort Air Base in February 2021


                          SA342M F-MGNE as seen at Rochefort Air Base in February 2021

                          Comment


                          • Savoia
                            Savoia commented
                            Editing a comment
                            Ah .. grazie XB! 👍

                          • Fabrice
                            Fabrice commented
                            Editing a comment
                            The code BGE was allocated to the EAALAT Dax (rotary wing training school), so has nothing to do with the 5ème RHC. Rochefort is the joint Air Force/ALAT technicians school, and these two Gazelles are/were used ther as instructionnal airframes.

                          • Savoia
                            Savoia commented
                            Editing a comment
                            Okay, grazie Fabrizio! 👍
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