GAZELLE AH.1 ROYAL MARINES 3CBS ZA730 FALKLANDS 1982 - AVIATION72 AV7224007 1/72

The Aérospatiale Gazelle originated in a French Army requirement for a lightweight utility helicopter. The design quickly attracted British interest, leading to a development and production share out agreement with British company Westland Helicopters. The deal, signed in February 1967, allowed the production in Britain of 292 Gazelles and 48 Aérospatiale Pumas ordered by the British armed forces, in return Aérospatiale were given a work share in the manufacturing programme for the 40 Westland Lynx naval helicopters for the French Navy. This was the first helicopter to carry a Fenestron or fantail, which allows considerable noise reduction. Also, the rotor blades were made of composite materials, a feature now widely used in modern helicopters.

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. It was also used for air patrols in Northern Ireland. British Gazelles were only armed when used in the Falklands, where they were fitted with machine guns and rocket pods, but these were not used. Three Gazelles were lost in action in 1982, two due to ground fire and one shot down by a Sea Dart Missile from HMS Cardiff on the 6th of June 1982. British Gazelles performed as scouts for other attack platforms in 1991 Gulf War.

Westland Gazelle HCC.Mk 4

Desgined to meet a French Army requirement for a lightweight utililty helicopter, the Gazelle was first flown on April 7th, 1967.