Westland Gazelle
| Aérospatiale Gazelle
|
Image
caption
|
| Description
|
| Role | Observation, reconnaissance
|
| Crew | 2
|
| First Flight | 7 April 1967
|
| Entered Service | 17 July 1973
|
| Manufacturer | Westland and Aérospatiale
|
| Dimensions
|
Length
fuselage | 9.53 m |
|
| Wingspan | 10.5 m |
|
| Height | 3.18 |
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| Weights
|
| Empty | kg |
|
| Loaded | kg |
|
| Maximum takeoff | 1,800 kg |
|
| Capacity |
|
| Powerplant
|
| Engines | Turbomeca/Rolls-Royce Astazou 111N2
|
| Power | 440 kW |
|
| Performance
|
| Maximum speed | 265 km/h |
|
| Combat range | 100 km |
|
| Ferry range | 670 km |
|
| Service ceiling | m | ft
|
| Rate of climb | m/min | ft/min
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| Wing loading | lb/ft² | kg/m²
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| Avionics
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| Avionics | Ferranti AF 532 stabilised, magnifying observation aid.
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| Armament
|
| Guns | 2 x 7.62 mm machine guns (not a standard fitting)
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| Bombs |
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| Missiles |
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| Rockets |
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| Other |
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The Gazelle is a helicopter developed as part of an Anglo-French venture between the Westland and Aerospatiale companies in 1968.
One of the fastest helicopters ever built, it served with all four branches of the British armed forces - RAF, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Marines - filling a variety of roles. It served with other forces worldwide. Four versions of the Gazelle were used by the British Forces. The SA341D became the Gazelle HT3 in RAF service, and was equipped as a helicopter pilot trainer. The SA341E was used for communications duties and VIP transport and was designated Gazelle HCC4. The SA 341C was also purchased for the British Armed Forces as a pilot trainer for the Royal Navy. The SA 341B was equipped to a specification for the Army Air Corps. It has provided combat service for the British in the Falkland Islands, Kuwait, Iraq and Kosovo. In French ALAT service, variants are also equipped with the Mistrale Air to Air missile and the 20 mm cannon.
It was used for anti-tank helicopter operations and also for a wide variety of supporting roles - Air Observation Post(AOP) ?to direct Artillery fire, Airborne Forward Air Controller(ABFAC) ? to direct ground-attack aircraft, casualty evacuation, liaison, and command and control, and communications relay.
