Goodbye Gazelle: Helicopter retiring from Army Air Corps after 49 years
The Gazelle, a stalwart of the UK Armed Forces' aviation fleet since its introduction in 1974, is set to wrap up its service with the Army Air Corps at the end of the month.
The helicopter bid farewell with a UK-wide flypast on Monday to mark the end of its service in the British military.
For 49 years, the iconic aircraft has soared through the skies, serving all branches of the UK Armed Forces.
From French beginnings to British all-service aircraft
The Gazelle helicopter, originally manufactured by French aerospace company Sud Aviation and later by Aérospatiale, first entered service in the UK on 6 July 1974.
Designed primarily as a light observation and utility helicopter, the Gazelle quickly proved its versatility.
Over the years, it adapted to various roles within the UKAF, serving in the Army Air Corps, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force
Over almost half a century the Aérospatiale/Westland Gazelle served in Northern Ireland, Germany, Hong Kong, Falkland Islands, Canada, Kenya, Belize, Cyprus, Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, and Afghanistan.
The Gazelle will be fondly remembered by those who served with the iconic aircraft, as well as helicopter enthusiasts capable of appreciating its significant contribution to British defence.
Agile, versatile, and lightweight
The Gazelle's agility and relatively petite size made it an ideal aircraft for Army reconnaissance duties.
The Army Air Corps used the AH1 model (Army Helicopter Mark 1), which was adapted from a variant known as the SA 341B.
The helicopter was also used for casualty transportation and there have also been armoured variants of the Gazelle.
It proved its effectiveness in many different roles over many years of service, including during training and battlefield communication, as well as the direction of artillery fire, and anti-tank roles.
Fast-flying Gazelle
The Gazelle is the first helicopter to have a fenestron tail.
The fenestron tail is also known as a fantail because it looks like an enclosed fan rather than having a typical spinning blade tail rotor seen on most helicopters.
The Gazelle boasts a maximum speed of 265 km/h, outpacing the Wessex helicopter at 214 km/h, yet falling short of the Chinook's impressive 302 km/h.
Flypast to mark the end of an era
To mark the historic retirement, 5 Regiment Army Air Corps flew a formation of three Gazelle helicopters starting from Flying Station Aldergrove, Northern Ireland.
The flight took place on 23 October 2023 with the aircraft stopping or overflying historic locations that have played a role in the Gazelle’s service.
The Gazelles made their way across the Irish Sea to the final resting place at Vector Aerospace International Ltd in Gosport, England.
The Gazelle is reported to be replaced by the Airbus Helicopters H135, a reliable chopper that is in use in more than 60 countries.
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