Gazelle Squadron Scramble
We are pleased to be bringing you this latest edition of Aerodrome and our regular look at the fascinating world of aviation. The arrival of British Summer Time finally allows enthusiasts to start making their Airshow plans for the coming months and cast off the depression of another long hard winter. To mark this occasion, we have something very special to share with Aerodrome readers over the next two editions, where we attempt to give you a taste of how the people behind some of the aircraft that are due to star in the 2017 Airshow season are preparing for their busy summer schedule. Thanks to an extremely kind offer from the Gazelle Squadron Display Team, Aerodrome was invited to take part in their latest team training day at their Bourne Park airfield base and we are pleased to be bringing you a report from this fascinating and exciting day. We will also see how this turned out to be an extremely timely opportunity regarding a significant anniversary for the capable little helicopters the team operates. Without further ado, let’s head down to Hampshire and the unique home of the ‘Gazelle Squadron Display Team’.
The Rise of the Helicopter
Since the end of the Second World War, the pace of aviation development has been nothing short of astonishing, but perhaps more than any other aircraft type, the helicopter has become indispensable to today’s air operations. As the nature of modern warfare evolved and helicopter technology became more robust and reliable, rotary aviation quickly began to display its undoubted potential and highlighted the fact that these impressive machines were capable of performing roles that simply could not be attempted by other forms of aircraft. With the inherent flexibility offered by rotary power, helicopters began to take on an ever increasing number of military and civilian applications, which arguably made the helicopter the most cost effective form of aviation in many circumstances. With the ability to operate in most environments and in all but the most severe of weather conditions, helicopters don’t need the support of a traditional airfield and can use the most basic of facilities as a temporary base, ensuring that they are never too far away from the action. Whether transporting troops and supplies to the battlefield, hunting enemy vehicles or mounting search and rescue operations, the helicopter has developed into an impressively capable form of aviation and one which will only increase its influence in the years to come.
Former Royal Navy Gazelle XX436 in the static display area at Cosford 2016
One of the world’s most successful modern helicopter designs, the French Aerospatiale Gazelle is a five seat light utility, transport and attack aircraft that was intended as an Armée de terre replacement for the classic Alouette III series of helicopters. Powered by a single Turbomeca Astazou turboshaft engine, the Gazelle was capable of speeds in excess of 190mph and featured the distinctive fenestron tail rotor design, which houses a multi blade unit inside an enclosed tail design, a feature which is now commonplace on many Airbus helicopter designs. With its unique shape and distinctive engine sound, the Gazelle is sometimes referred to as the ‘whistling chicken leg’ by the men who worked on and flew these impressive machines.
From its very earliest development, the Gazelle attracted significant interest from the British military and a deal was soon agreed which allowed Westland Helicopters Ltd to build British versions of the aircraft, with 292 machines eventually rolling off their production lines. Interestingly, along with the venerable De Havilland Chipmunk trainer, the Gazelle is the only aircraft to serve with all three arms of Britain’s armed forces, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and the Army Air Corps. Four different versions were to see British service - the AH.1 flying with the Army Air Corps and the Royal Marines, the HT.2 serving with the Royal Navy and the RAF operating both the HT.3 and the HCC.4, in a service career that began back in 1974 and still continues to this day. Both the Army Air Corps and the Empire Test Pilots School continue to fly the Gazelle on a daily basis.
A Gazelle AH.1 wearing the colours of the Royal marines
Proving to be an extremely reliable helicopter, Gazelles of the Army Air Corps have served on overseas combat deployments on a number of occasions, including the Falklands War of 1982, the Gulf War of 1991/92 and more recently during operations in Afghanistan. Used mainly as either an observation or reconnaissance platform or perhaps more significantly directing operations as a forward air controller aircraft, the Gazelle did also see the fitting of machine guns and rocket launchers during the Falklands War, but these were never actually used offensively. It is particularly poignant that the publication of this latest edition of our Aerodrome blog goes live on the very day the Gazelle helicopter celebrates the 50th anniversary of its first flight - A rather fitting occasion for the subject of this special Gazelle Squadron review edition.
Preserving and Displaying Gazelles
The Westland Gazelle is not only a very capable little British military helicopter, it has also been a star of the Airshow scene for many years. Enthusiasts will probably remember with some fondness the four-ship displays by the Royal Navy’s red and white No. 705 NAS ‘Sharks’ helicopter display team throughout the 80s and 90s and the ‘Eagles’ display team of the Army Air Corps, which featured a camouflaged version of the Gazelle. Indeed, over recent years, the Gazelle has been making something of an Airshow comeback and at the forefront of this renaissance is the Gazelle Squadron Display Team. As the team continue their preparations for what is already looking like a busy summer period, Aerodrome was extremely fortunate to be invited to attend their latest Training Day, where we would not only have the opportunity to meet members of the team, but also to experience the thrill of operating classic former military helicopters. In what turned out to be an extremely memorable day, I was basically afforded the privilege of becoming a Gazelle Squadron team member for the day, which was such an honour.
Every good briefing begins with a decent cup of tea
Despite the fact that I was very much looking forward to my day with the Gazelle Squadron and meeting Craig ‘Crazy’ Davies, with whom I had been in contact with for some weeks, the journey down to Hampshire proved to be more of an ordeal than it should have been. What should have taken me just under four hours actually took nine, as the M6 motorway turned into a long and frustrating car park – the discovery of cracks on a bridge over the carriageway resulted in the temporary closure of the M6 in both directions. Only arriving at my hotel at 10pm, it seemed like just the blink of an eye before I was standing outside Bourne Park airfield, waiting to meet my hosts for the day and if I am honest, starting to get just a little excited. One by one, cars began to arrive in the early morning sunshine and I was introduced to people who had all travelled to this delightful location with a shared passion – the love of Gazelle helicopters. Each with their own important part to play during the coming training day, I was fortunate enough to meet team officials, engineers, ground and aircrew from the team and from the outset was made to feel very much part of the proceedings.
Down to business. It was fascinating to be allowed behind the scenes for the day.
Despite the informal setting, it was clear from the outset that this group of people are meticulous in their preparation and confident in the abilities of their fellow team members. After initial formal introductions, I was allowed to attend all the official team meetings, which began with an overview of the team events calendar for the coming year. Although this might at first seem like quite a gentle introduction to the day, each entry on the calendar will require significant activity behind the scenes, to ensure aircraft serviceability, air and ground-crew availability, potential accommodation arrangements and a multitude of essential logistic tasks to be completed.
As this was a full team training day, the next section of the briefing was perhaps the most important part of the day. Delivered and received in an extremely professional, military manner, every aspect of the coming day’s schedule was covered, with every team member knowing exactly what was expected of them. A met report was followed by some local airfield information and general squadron notes, before the chief engineer and airfield manager were invited to inform the group of any issues they had outstanding. By the end of the briefing, everyone knew what to expect over the coming few hours and what was expected of them. I have to say that it was fascinating to be allowed behind the scenes of a display team to see how the people behind the aircraft we love to see at Airshows organise their activities – it was extremely impressive.
As the briefing ended, everyone headed off to complete their assigned tasks, whilst I and two other invited guests were directed towards two members of the ground crew, who were going to give us a safety briefing, to ensure that our visit to the Gazelle Squadron was as safe as it was enjoyable. As aircraft would be operating from the field at various times during the day, we were given clear instructions on what we should and shouldn’t do whilst at Bourne Park, before being taken out on to the airfield for more specific information about the main reason for our visit – the Westland Gazelle. As we would hopefully be given the opportunity to photograph the helicopters at various points throughout the day, we were taken to one of the aircraft and shown how to approach the aircraft and where to avoid standing. Our guides were both former ground crew with the Army Air Corps and whilst clearly both possessing an impressive knowledge of everything Gazelle, they were able to impart this important safety information with no little style – we were even regaled with a few stories from their service days.
The focus of our briefing was Westland Gazelle HT.3 ZB627
Once the airfield safety information had been delivered and understood, our guides proceeded to give us additional information about the Gazelle helicopter itself, backed up by their knowledge and experience of operating the aircraft during its service career with the Army Air Corps. We were shown how to safely enter the aircraft, which is particularly important if you are assigned a front seat, as the Gazelle has dual controls and a huge Perspex cockpit area - there are plenty of areas that must be avoided when climbing into the aircraft. Next, we were shown how to operate the safety harnesses in both the front and rear of the helicopter, as the Gazelle is capable of carrying five people in its relatively diminutive cabin space and whilst you would not describe these arrangements as opulent, they are certainly comfortable. It was at this point that our day with the Gazelle Squadron took on something of a dramatic turn – as we were treated as team members for the day, we would be invited to take part in one of the training flights, which would be leaving in the next few minutes – the only thing we had to do was decide if we were going in the front or rear seats. This was completely unexpected and a real treat for a life-long aviation enthusiast, who had never previously flown in a helicopter.
Keeping it in the Family
Our pilot for the training flight was Tim Gray, an extremely experienced Gazelle pilot and current RAF C-17A Globemaster III pilot with No.99 squadron at Brize Norton. The day also turned out to be a special one for Tim, as he had brought his young son with him and the team had been giving him some lessons in ground marshalling the helicopters. It what must have been a really memorable moment for them both, as our Gazelle lifted from the ground, Tim’s son was giving his father marshalling instructions from the ground (the real marshal was actually stood right behind him) and from my position behind the pilot, I was able to grab a few pictures to capture the occasion.
Start them young. Flt. Lt. Gray and his son pose for pictures
A nice moment for the Gray family
For this particular training flight, two helicopters would be flying together on a general familiarisation flight, which would be following the A34 heading in the direction of Newbury. Despite the fact that the weather had been pretty poor in the days leading up to the training day, the weather on the day itself could not have been better and as we gained altitude, we had a magnificent view of the countryside and the beautiful North Wessex Downs. Our flight took us over the stunning grounds of Highclere Castle, which played host to the popular Downton Abbey TV series and looks even more impressive from the air, particularly on such a clear day as the one we enjoyed. Continuing northwards, Tim pointed out the former RAF airfield at Greenham Common, which was famous during the Cold War period as the home of nuclear equipped US cruise missiles and the site of a famous peace camp around its perimeter fences for many years. Again, it was fascinating to see this from such a privileged, lofty position, with the beautiful conditions allowing us a clear view of the entire site.
Lift off. We were accompanied by Gazelle HT.2 XX436 in Royal Navy ‘Sharks’ colours for our flight
Climbing out of the airfield
A beautiful day for taking your first helicopter flight
Can there possibly be a better way to view Downton Abbey?
Although this familiarisation flight proved to be one of the most memorable days in my life, perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the flight was the fact that we were in loose formation with a second Gazelle and at times, I was able to get some air-to-air pictures of this other aircraft. I have to admit that I was not fully prepared for my flight and as I had previously been taking shots of the Gazelles on the ground, I did not have time to change my lens before we were told about our flight and I still had my wide-angle zoom on the camera. I was also shooting through the Perspex side panel of the Gazelle on what was my first ever air-to-air opportunity and taking all this into consideration, I was really pleased with the results I managed to get.
Even though I was shooting through the Perspex of the Gazelle’s side window, I still managed to get some memorable images
Gazelle XX436 made for a willing and extremely photogenic subject
The conditions for our flight could hardly have been better
Flying over the beautiful North Wessex Downs
In what seemed like all too brief a time, this memorable flight was coming to an end and we could see the airfield at Bourne Park in the distance – the people on the ground could probably see the huge grin on my face as we approached. My first flight in a helicopter was a fantastic experience and one I will never forget. I am grateful to pilot Tim Gray for his exceptional flying skills, his son for safely getting us off the ground - also to the Gazelle Squadron team members for allowing me this unforgettable experience. It is somehow fitting that my first flight in a helicopter should be in one of the Gazelles I have photographed so many times at Airshows over the years and a type that is celebrating its 50th birthday this year – I consider myself extremely fortunate.
On approach back to Bourne Park airfield
A hovering XX436 prior to landing, taken from my seat in ZB627
Flight debrief and smiles all-round
The star of my impromptu air to air sortie – Westland Gazelle HT.2 XX436
The Gazelle Squadron coming to an Airshow near you
I would like to end this first instalment of my Gazelle Squadron training day review by giving readers a little more information about the Squadron itself and the committed people behind its operation. Based at their private airfield near the village of Hurstbourne Tarrant in Hampshire, the team maintain a fleet of former military Westland Gazelle helicopters from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines (Commandos) and Army Air Corps, supported by CAA approved maintenance organisation Falcon Aviation Ltd. Adhering to a traditional military structure, all team personnel are civilian, although many bring a wealth of former military service experience with them. Amongst the pilots, engineers and ground crew devoting much of their free time to the team, many have previously served with either the Royal Navy’s Sharks, or the Army Air Corps Eagles display teams and have specific expertise in the operation of Gazelle helicopters.
The Gazelle Squadron Display Team currently perform as a two-ship aircraft flying display at Airshows across the UK, whilst also offering aircraft to enhance any static display. There are ambitious plans to increase the number of aircraft taking part in their display routine to three, four and then five helicopters, which will then make this the largest civilian owned display team in the world and something that every Airshow organiser will want to include in their programme. Significantly from the enthusiasts point of view, 2017 is already shaping up to be a particularly busy year for the team, with many show bookings already in place and others being discussed all the time – there has never been a better opportunity to go Gazelle Squadron hunting.
The Westland Gazelle is a handsome addition to any display programme, whether flying, or static
One of the major advantages of including a helicopter flying or static display in any event is the accessibility of the aircraft. Without having to rely on a large airfield location, helicopters can take part in events of all size, from the largest military Airshows, to much smaller open days and summer fetes. In many cases, they also allow spectators much closer access to the aircraft, helping to fuel their enthusiasm for aviation, in a way that used to be so popular at the Airshows of my youth, making it a much more memorable occasion for everyone in attendance. With the dashing good looks of the Gazelle helicopter matched only by the knowledge and enthusiasm of the Gazelle Squadron team members, let’s hope that many more people have the opportunity to catch them at an event this coming summer. If you are lucky enough to be at a show where they are displaying, do go and introduce yourself to the team and don’t forget to mention you read about them in Aerodrome – they will be pleased to meet you.
The Gazelle Squadron are one of the more progressive acts on the UK Airshow scene – The Gazelles are coming!
That is all we intend to include in this first instalment of our Gazelle Squadron training day review, but you can look forward to much more in the next edition of Aerodrome. We will be paying a flying visit to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance station, taking a guided tour around the helicopter packed storage facilities at Bourne Park and looking at the operational histories behind the Gazelles that flew during the day of our visit. May I take this opportunity to thank the entire team behind the Gazelle Squadron for their hospitality during my visit and for making this such a memorable occasion and especially for making me feel like an extended member of the team. My special thanks go to Craig Davies for his help in making this day happen, his piloting skills and the time he kindly gave up prior to and during my visit – I believe the humour came as standard. Thanks again Craig.
I am afraid that is all we have for you in this latest edition of Aerodrome, but we sincerely hope you found it an interesting read. As usual, if you would like to join in with all the latest social media discussions regarding Aerodrome and aviation matters in general, please head for either the Airfix Aerodrome Forum or our Corgi Aerodrome Forum and have your say. If you have any specific comments, questions or suggestions for future editions of Aerodrome, please do feel free to let us know by using either the Airfix Facebook or Corgi Facebook pages, or our Airfix Twitter or Corgi Twitter accounts, using #aerodrome – if you are Twitter regulars, you will know what this means! If good old fashioned e-mail is more your style, please use our usual address at aerodrome@hornby.com where we will be only too pleased to hear from you.
Thank you for your continued support. We will be heading back to Bourne Park airfield and the Gazelle Squadron in the next edition of our blog, which is scheduled for publication on 21st April.
Michael
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