Sud-Aviation SA.341 Gazelle F-ZWRI / XW276 NAHR – Significant
Tucked away in Hanger One visitors are probably unaware of the role the lightweight and streamlined Gazelle helicopter took in development work for the distinctive fenestron tail design. At the time this was an advanced, quieter design that improved safety for ground crews; whilst in flight, it offered greater protection against hitting foreign objects during tight, low-altitude manoeuvres. By Jan McGeachie.
The French test pilot, Jean Boulet first flew the prototype F-WOFH 7th April 1967 at Marseille–Marignane Airport for the French aircraft manufacturer later known as Aérospatiale (now Airbus Helicopters). He tested the new fenestron anti-torque system, which replaced the more conventional tail rotor. This design featured a smaller 13-bladed ducted fan within a covered vertical fin. This not only helped to reduce noise but also proved to be far safer and reduced the helicopter’s aerodynamic drag. These latter benefits were demonstrated on 13th May 1967, when a Gazelle broke two separate world speed records with speeds of 307 km/h over 3 kilometres and 292 km/h over 100 kilometres.
On 6th August 1971, the first production Gazelle had its first flight, after Aérospatiale had begun production in France in 1971 for both military and civilian use. This was in collaboration with the British firm Westland, with their production mainly destined for the British military. Between 1,560 - 1,775 Gazelles were built from 1967 to 1996, when production ended; some 262 Gazelles were produced by Westland.
Both robust and reliable, the Gazelle can be flown by either one or two pilots (operated by the RAF, Royal Navy and the British Army) with an adaptable layout allowing either three passengers or storage space for equipment. The type had a length of 39 feet 4 ½ inches; with a maximum speed of 152 mph, one of the fastest helicopters in its class. With a range of 447 miles this extended the endurance of missions for up to 3 ½ hours; it had a service ceiling of 18,750 feet and was powered by a single Turbomeca Astazou IIIA turbo shaft engine.
Thanks to its versatile dependable design it had various for roles: observation, anti-tank missions and training. Multiple versions of the Gazelle were produced – SA.341D as a RAF pilot trainer; SA.341E for RAF communications roles; as well as VIP transport as the Gazelle HCC.4. The SA.341C was a Royal Naval pilot trainer and the SA.341B was used by the Army Air Corps as the Gazelle AH.1, which played crucial roles in the Falklands War and the Gulf War.
SA.341 Gazelle F-ZWRI/XW276 was built by Sud-Aviation (now Aerospatiale) at Marignane, France, in December 1968. As its third pre-production SA.341G Gazelle, registered F-ZWRI it was test flown in a variety of configurations, including with a “T” tail (the fittings still clearly visible). It then probably became the first Gazelle with a lengthened tail, horizontal stabilisers and the characteristic fenestron tail.
Given the British military serial XW276, the Gazelle was allocated to Westlands’ for development work, arriving in Yeovil on 6th August 1969. It was then temporarily grounded awaiting modifications to UK standards before flying again on 28th April 1970 for valuable development trials at Yeovil. Later moving to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental facilities at both Boscombe Down and Farnborough.
SA.341 Gazelle F-ZWRI / XW276 was allocated to the Army Air Corps as a display airframe at the Museum of Army Flying (now the Army Flying Museum) before going into storage at the Science Museum, Wroughton. After an on loan spell at the North East Aircraft Museum (now known as NELSAM); XW276’s loan spell at Newark started in spring 1999.
So next time you are passing, take a look for the inconspicuous fenestron tailed Gazelle helicopter painted in its distinct green Army Air Corps colours.
Photo credit: Jan McGeachie