Westland acquired Bristol Helicopters, Fairey Aviation and Saunders-Roe to transform itself into Westland Helicopters with plants at Yeovil, Weston-super-Mare, Eastleigh and Hayes.
Collaboration with Sikorsky (a major shareholder) continued with the Sea King and new arrangements were made with Aerospatiale for the Puma, Gazelle and Lynx and their derivatives.
By 1994, United Technologies (Sikorsky's parent company) sold its stock in Westland and this was snapped up by GKN as part of its take-over.
The Aérospatiale Gazelle originated in a French Army requirement for a lightweight utility helicopter.
Gazelles were also manufactured in Egypt by ABHCO and in Yugoslavia by SOKO.
The Gazelle was used in combat in the Falkland Islands, Kuwait, Iraq and Kosovo and with 8 Flight Army Air Corps in support of 22 Special Air Service Regiment.
Westland did consider a new TOW carriage arrangement, optional T800 engines, and a wide range of other enhancements for the AH.9 as the "Battlefield Lynx" for the export market, but nobody bought off on the idea.
The Westland 30's lack of success appears to have been a contributing factor to a major financial crisis at Westland, which would lead to a political crisis and, ultimately, to the creation of AgustaWestland.
The Westland 30 civil transport helicopter derivative of the Lynx had been anticipated to an extent by an earlier concept, the Westland "Model 606", which was a Lynx with a fuselage stretch to accommodate up to 13 passengers, and uprated engines to handle the greater takeoff weight.
Under an 1967 agreement with the French company, the Gazelle was licensed built by Westland and the British Army Air Corps became a large-scale operator of the Gazelles assembled by this company.
One of the more highly visibly marked Gazelle types was the HT.2 version used for helicopter pilot and instructor training where most are/were based at RAF Shawbury.
The Fenestron tail makes the rear section of the Gazelle a much more pleasant experience than the usual fiddly tail rotor assembly and the main rotor assembly is basic but okay for this kit scale and type.
The Gazelle, was produced as part of an Anglo-French venture between Westland and Aerospatiale in 1968.
Still one of the fastest helicopters ever built (with a maximum speed of 193 mph), it has served with all four branches of the British armed forces filling a variety of roles.
The Gazelle was the first helicopter certified to be flown by one pilot under Cat I weather conditions and was upgraded to Cat II operations in 1975.
Moet de Leeuwerik, het beroemdst en verreweg van alle Europese helikopters, zijn klanten aan de vennootschap Turboméca, die de eerste aan de wereld om lichte turbines voor luchtvaartkundig gebruik te ontwikkelen was.
Het bevat een radar APS-124 in de voorkant van de romp, 25 pneumatische draagraketten van akoestische boeien in de linkse kant en een sonde MAD (magnetische afwijkingsdetector) gesleept ASQ-81 op de rechte kant, aan de achterkant.
In 1956 gaf Koninklijke Navy zijn project op om Bristol 191 te kopen dat door twee wordt voortgestuwd, Gazelle voor minder de dure en minder gewaagde oplossing van Sikorsky S-58 (US Navy HSS-1) die door één turbine Gazelle wordt voortgestuwd.
The Gazelle is being replaced in frontline duties by the Eurocopter Tiger but will continue to be used for light transport and liaison roles.
The SA 341C was purchased as the Gazelle HT.2 pilot trainer for the Royal Navy.
The SA 341B was equipped to a specification for the Army Air Corps as the Gazelle AH.1 (from Army Helicopter Mark 1).
youtube.com /?v=NsI0wjfKJM0 (855 words)
Military Helicopters Ltd: Company and Services(Site not responding. Last check: )
Military Helicopters Ltd are recognised for their dedication and technical expertise in the field of repair, restoration, servicing and maintenance of ex-military Westland Scout, Wasp and Gazelle helicopters.
The company are exclusive in operating under BCAR A8-20 E4 and M5 Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approvals on Westland Scout, Wasp and Gazelle, and currently carry the largest stock of ex-military Scout and Wasp spares in the world.
Their degree of skill and proficiency together with extensive access to spares, enable the team to undertake in all levels of maintenance; from basic servicing to major restorations, electrical repairs and inspections, in order to reach the required airworthy standard for the issue of a UK permit to fly.
The Gazelle was first produced in 1968 under an Anglo-French agreement between Westlands and Aerospatiale.
The Gazelle fondly referred to as the "whistling chicken leg" has proved an incredibly reliable observation and reconnaissance helicopter for many years.
Although having only one engine it is not as powerful as many others, but its lightweight chassis offsets any deficit it might have.
WestlandGazelle HCC4 from the Historic Hangars Aircraft Collection at Hendon
Built 1973 by Westland Helicopters Ltd of Weston-Super Mare in Somerset as a Gazelle HT Mk3, this aircraft is one of 32 Gazelles delivered to the Royal Air Force.
Stored, latterly at RAF Shawbury in Salop and moved by road to RAF Museum Hendon in April 2003.
Airfix SA341 WestlandGazelle helicopter in 1/72nd scale, in new condition, winning bidder prepays and pays shipping as followes first kit $5.00 every additional kit add just $1.00 each for SandH to a US zip cody only.
Thank you for taking the time to look and good luck.
Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eBay User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
