Gulf War Gazelle

Desert Storm Conversion

- Huw Morgan

The Aérospatiale SA 341/342 Gazelle is a four/five-seat light helicopter originally designed by French aerospace company Sud Aviation in the late 1960s that pioneered the use of the ducted Fenestron tail rotor. Built not only in France but also in the UK under a joint development agreement with Westland Helicopters, by SOKO in Yugoslavia and by the Arab British Helicopter Company (ABHCO) in Egypt, around 1,775 airframes have been completed, serving worldwide in a bewildering range of roles and with a service history stretching from its first introduction in 1973 to the present day. Westland produced 262 Gazelles, primarily for use by the UK military in training, observation, and forward Air Control roles. Royal Navy, Royal Marine, and Army Air Corps Gazelles played key roles in the Falklands conflict, and more recently in the 1991 Gulf War, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. In the Gulf War, aircraft of 654 San AAC worked closely with forward artillery units and ground troops in spotting, reconnaissance, and liaison duties.

The Kit