30 Gazelle AH-1's for sale!

[heli-cal]

30 heli's and about 120 spare rotor blades are being sold off, here (http://www.mod-sales.com/direct/vehicle/,95,/29696/Gazelle_AH-1_Military_Helicopters_.htm).

They're under deposit at the moment.

We are looking to sell these as is direct from storage.

It will be the purchasers responsibility to return these aircraft to
airworthiness. All aircraft hours and component times Etc. are on RAM and
we have these on disc which we can provide for all of the aircraft for a
deposit of 50 Pounds which is refundable on a purchase of one or a number of
aircraft.
We have a guide price of between 75,000 to 175,000 Pounds each but there will be several
cheaper ones suitable for spares or rebuild. Our preference would be to
sell the whole lot as one batch with a quantity of approx 120 spare
blades. We would be looking for offers around 2,000,000 Pounds for the whole package.All are used not new and no other spares are included.
If you are expecting to export a full export licence with an end user
declaration is required which normally takes 8 to 10 weeks to obtain.
The helicopters are available to be viewed at our facility which can be
found from the following link.

Visit Us, MOD Sales, Military Vehicles & Used Ex MOD Land Rovers for Sale (http://www.mod-sales.com/information/6/Visit_Us.htm)

If you are seriously interested and need any more information or you wish to view please call the
Mr Paul Southerington on 0044 1476 861361

[bolkow]

£2000000? Seems quite a keen price for 30 gazelles with some spares?

[Sam Rutherford]

Nice link name. :ok:

I'd love to fly one again, but until I win a few back-to-back lotteries I think that particular dream will have to wait!

Fly safe, Sam.

[Peter-RB]

Sad that we see good Helis like this being sold ( with some private company making a profit) so just how cheap did our brilliant politico's give them away for, pass tem on to the ANA, they would sell them to the bad guys who would fill them with at least ten souls( see how they ride M/Cycles) then blast em from the sky, more cost effective than Uncle Sam using B1B's and big bangers...:cool:

Peter RB
Lancashire

[baby spanner]

apparently given what is there, 15-20 could be returned to flying condition... then how do you sell 20 galelles?

[MightyGem]

Hmmm...take a look around your local town at all the taxis and private hire cabs. Would you buy one secondhand if it came up for sale? Probably not. Well, that's what you're getting with an ex Army Gazelle. :E

[John R81]

These machines have been available for sale on that site for a considerable period of time. If you are potentially interested (as once I was) take advice from an expert. And look closely at the terms for "taking an interest".

[heli-cal]

Nice link name.

That's odd!

I copied and pasted the entire text, so god knows what happened there!

[Two's in]

For an aircraft that first entered service around 1974, being able to get a couple of million quid for 30 of them after over 35 years service as part of the disposal plan is not a bad deal . Bit more cost effective than the MRA4 deal, I'm guessing.

[mtoroshanga]

As far as I remember if they are ex military they will require a major service program before undertaking civil flying for reward and that could be a major problem.

[Anthony Supplebottom]

These won't be used for public transport. In the UK they're a relatively cheap source of turbine flying (for owners who fly less) and which is done on a permit to fly.

Quite a number from the last batch went to the Ukraine.

As John mentioned, this current batch has been around a while. The sellers are not aviation people but a vehicle disposal outfit who've made money disposing of MoD assets. Their contract, AFAIK, is up for renewal this year.

My guess is that the market (European at least) isn't quite ready for another 10-12 civil Gazelles but - you never know.

[toptobottom]

In the UK they're a relatively cheap source of turbine flying

They might be relatively cheap to buy, but get a quote for insurance first (if you can!). These days, the Gazelle is almost impossible to insure for new owners

[Darren999]

If you could get them over to the USA I think they would be very popular...

[heli-cal]

Ironic, that in the US there's aircraft like the privately owned Huey Cobra and Harrier, yet here, you have to have the aircraft virtually rebuilt (AFAIK) before use, then face restrictions on POB etc.

Is it simply bureaucratic nonsense for the sake of it or is there a valid basis for the restrictions placed on ex mil helicopters?

[chevvron]

Link in the OP comes up with 'the item you are requiring is no longer available'
Don't forget if they're ex Army, they don't have auto-stab, only hydraulic assistance.(has to be kept simple for REME to maintain it)

[krypton_john]

TTB, if these things can be bought and flown for STG 250K then I'm not sure that insurance (other than liabilty) is really necessary!

[SASless]

Very Very simple....actually!


As they use the 3 P method of maintenance.

Pound it to shape....Pound it to fit....Paint it to match!

[Mungo5]

If you could get them over to the USA I think they would be very popular...

I believe there is only one flying, over there at the moment. AOPA did a write up on it last year sometime IIRC

[toptobottom]

KJ

There are lots of tricks around insurance on gazelles by going through Hungarian register, etc. but I've seen quotes for newbies in the UK that require 5,000 hours turbine, 1,000 hours on type, PLUS... (wait for it...) a safety pilot at all times :eek:

In other words, FRO! Just too many accidents by low time PPLs who buy them for STG250k...

[krypton_john]

TTB, I understand the rationale if not the actuarial numbers.

I just figure that in the world of turbine helicopter owners and costs, 250K is a low enough number and the premiums high enough that hull insurance is not worth it and better to simply self insure.

[toptobottom]

I'd imagine that those with sufficient assets to enable them to self insure would set their sights on something commensurate with that status, i.e. not a 40 year old military cast-off!

[krypton_john]

That would depend if they are buying it for fun or for serious work. I think the former applies to these birds.

[Sky Sports]

.(has to be kept simple for REME to maintain it)
...........Bell end

[RotorLeasing]

Actually there are several here in the US. We imported 4 of them over the years and are about to import 5 more. Nice machine, way ahead of the EC120 in terms of performance and maintainability. One of my favorites.