http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/0fb8d5a4.jpg


this is the mod to the rotor brake it stops the throttle opening if the brake is on there has been a few burnt out clutches when the pilot forgot to take brake off

steve
some civy ones have it on well mine has

Sav; matt black+dark olive green, IIRC.

Not AAC but 'attached'.

Back to the flying of it!!
 

Although it's a long time ago and, like Sealion, I only flew it when training, not operationally, I still remember the Gazelle with great affection.

After initial training chugging around in a fixed wing plank, the excitement of the Astazou "jet" engine; agility; speed; low-level; visibility for nav/lookout; zero/zero autos; simplicity and reliability all combined to make the machine a memorable aircraft & excellent trainer.
Biggest thrill - mastering the precision of close formation flying, taught by the expert team of Sharks.
Most difficult - Instrument flying (long story)!

Subsequent flying in bigger machines was fun, but not quite the same - businesslike & fit for purpose, until the Lynx . . . but that's another story and would deviate from this thread!

For those that are fortunate enough to fly them today, I reckon they remain a class machine in so many areas - although I've no idea of how they compare as far as costs go, I'm afraid. "Whistling chicken-leg" they may be but, where the Gazelle was neat, nippy & nifty 30 years ago, it still looks the business today, IMHO, and flies the pants off many more modern pretenders, I'd wager? :) :ok: :D

For real? Hilarious!

Re: The brake: I understand where 311 is coming from - you've got this lever lowered right in front of you .. how could you miss it! But .. after the 100th time of seeing something in the same position I've heard the mind can do funny things, even if the object is long and right in front of your face (at least according to my ex!).

My experience is that if something has the possibility of being done incorrectly (no matter how unlikely) and if there is a way of mitigating that possibility - its best to do so! (Something to do with the Irish and legal systems - although, to be fair, Murphy was an American .. and also an aeronautical engineer, no surprise there!).

With MD600's soft copy of the Gazelle flight manual on screen :ok: (thank you Steve) I read regarding the start:

"At a pre-determined micropump pressure, the EFC opens and the engine lights up. The INJ light comes on within 10 seconds with the EFC is fully open. After a further 10 seconds, the micropump and ignition coil cut out and the INJ light goes out." [Light number one.]

"As engine speed increases and the governor takes control, contacts in the max fuel flow warning switch open to de-energise the starter relay to cut the power to the starter/generator, the START light goes out." [Light number two].

So it seems there are two lights during the start.

I also noted that the MoD Gazelles were fitted with a Ferranti Radar Warning Receiver. Does anyone happen to know if the SAS units was also Ferranti?

Bertie, RAF then?

Sav

Sav; not RAF but REME. (in the '80's about 1/2 the Army pilots were attached from other Corps.)

well, I've only used rotor brake to slow rotor down to a stop. never
during engine start-up sequence, never after shut down either (when parked).
Anyways, there can be only one Murphy in this thread:
Frank Murphy :)

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/7292/gazzelle.jpg

Savoia, I can't see any registered on the NZ web site. There had been another in Sharks livery advertised a while back and I was under the impression it had been exported.

rjtjrt, I agree - the ad was amusing. In particular, I liked the last photo of the 'bridge out' sign.

.
Ah REME, fair enough! My godfather was friend to the CO at Chattenden Barracks in the Medway and we landed there a couple of times with a 206 in the early 80's before they shut the place down. Great chaps! :ok:

Noting the general applause for the Gaz in the articles I've read, perhaps the only thing which surprises me is why there weren't slightly more delivered to the civilian market - and I'm thinking private flyers in particular. There were certainly a number of owners during the 70's with sufficient resources so as to be able to accommodate the slightly higher purchase and operating costs, over say a 206, who would surely have appreciated the Gazelle's improved speed and handling!

KJ: Surprising. Would have thought the Kiwi's would have loved the Gaz!



Sav

The Gazelle's potential within the civilian market was recognized from the beginning but, due to its original design for military application, the Gazelle price tag and operating cost limited its appeal among private operators.

Now, in the sunset of her military service, it seems as though new life has been breathed into this piece of aeronautical engineering art. I hope the Gazelle's new found civilian appeal will last as long as her military career! ;)

The guard on the rotorbrake was fitted to all army Gazelles around 1976 following an accident in Northern Ireland. A pilot (Royal Marines?) tried to fully advance the throttle with the brake still on. Eventually the brake gave out and the aircraft ended up on it's side.

The very simple mod which consists of a piece of bent rod bolted to the brake handle prevents the throttle being advanced with the brake on.

Nice little mechanical mod with no micro switches or other electrical paraphenalia which probably cost a tenner.!!

I also recall that the rod was bent in such a way that if you tried to apply the rotor brake with the throttle at flight idle (fully forward) it would bring the throttle lever back with it.

Never tried that btw!

Sav

99% sure the SAS units fitted to the RN Gazelles were made by Louis Newmark Ltd.
The top student in each Wings passing out parade was awarded the Louis Newmark Trophy or at least was on 705 NAS at Culdrose.

My name is NOT inscribed on it :ok:

ps Gazelle article on its way to you snail mail :)

Nor was mine!! :=

I was 85 Flt Aug 1979 - what about you Zorab ?

NZ Gazelles
 

A bit of history
http://nzcivair.com/2010/09/gazelle-...y-extinct.html

There was one based in south canterbury,painted black with a silver fern on its tail,I saw it refueling @ Rangiora late last year but I can't find it on the register, maybe gone as well:confused:

The Louis Newmark Trophy pre dated the Gazelle by a long way. And usually went to a GL :rolleyes:

Here's a story waiting to be told: does anyone here know why/what/who?

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...51airborne.jpg

I know a few drivers who would have better qualified as Navvies, but this is intriguing :hmm:

SP

I have an almost identical photo to yours - taken whilst the Air Day Balbo was forming up July 1979.

What your story then?

FS,

I don't know: that's why I was asking ;)

OK OK I got it now:) The nearest Gazelle carries the title Royal Navvy on the boom!

That photo was posted on another forum about 2 months ago, the poster was not sure why the word appeared but speculated it was because an Irish Air Corps pilot was on the course (:rolleyes:) In fact there was one on 705 when I went through.

Not sure why he didn't go to Middle Wallop though?

Perhaps he liked surfing and sailing!