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Model features

The Aérospatiale Gazelle

The original Gazelle was designed for the French Army as a lightweight observation helicopter. Early in the aircraft’s development, the decision was taken to enlarge it to enable greater versatility and make it more attractive for the export market.

The first prototype SA340 flew on 7 April 1967, initially with a conventional tail rotor taken from the Alouette II. This tail was replaced in early 1968 with the distinctive fenestron on the second prototype.

Three-view drawing of the Gazelle helicopter

About

An Anglo-French programme

Even during development the Gazelle had attracted British interest, which led to a deal between Aérospatiale and Westland allowing the production in Britain of 292 SA341 Gazelles, of which 262 were for the British armed forces. The deal also included Aérospatiale Pumas for the UK and gave the French a work share in the manufacture of the 40 Westland Lynx naval helicopters for the French Navy.

Versions

From the SA340 prototype to the SA342M1

  1. 1967

    SA340 Gazelle

    First prototype. Flew on 7 April 1967 with a conventional tail rotor taken from the Alouette II; replaced in early 1968 by the fenestron on the second prototype.

  2. 1972

    SA341B Gazelle AH.1

    Westland built version for the British Army and Royal Marines. 212 built. Featured the Astazou IIIN engine, a Nightsun searchlight and Decca Doppler.

  3. 1972

    SA341C Gazelle HT.2

    Training version built by Westland for the Royal Navy.

  4. 1973

    Soko Gazelle

    Local designations in former Yugoslavia: HI-42 recce, HN-42 anti-tank, HO-42 utility, HS-42 rescue. More than 160 SA341 and SA342 were produced under licence by the Soko plant in Mostar from 1971 to 1991.

  5. 1973

    SA341D Gazelle HT.3

    Training version built by Westland for the RAF.

  6. 1973

    SA341F Gazelle

    Version for the French Army. 170 built by Aerospatiale to replace the Alouette II. 40 converted to SA342M equipped with HOT 1 anti-tank missiles.

  7. 1973

    SA341G Gazelle

    Civil variant powered by an Astazou IIIA engine. The SA341G was the first helicopter to obtain single-pilot IFR Cat 1 approval in the US.

  8. 1973

    SA341H Gazelle

    Military export variant powered by an Astazou IIIB engine, including a licence build in Yugoslavia by Soko.

  9. 1973

    SA342K Gazelle

    Military version of the SA342J powered by the Astazou XIV engine, with shrouds over the air intakes, for Kuwait.

  10. 1976

    SA341E Gazelle HCC.4

    VIP version by Westland for the RAF, used by 32 Squadron. One built and three converted.

  11. 1980

    SA342J Gazelle

    Civil version powered by the Astazou XIV engine.

  12. 1980

    SA342L Gazelle

    Military version of the SA342J powered by the Astazou XIV-H engine.

  13. 1980

    SA342M Gazelle

    Military version of the SA342J powered by the Astazou XIV-M engine for France. Fitted with four HOT anti-tank missiles.

  14. 1985

    SA342M1 Gazelle

    Similar to the SA342M but with the three Ecureuil main blades to improve performance. MTOW increased to 2,100 kg.

Specifications

Airframe and powerplant

Seats
5 seat turbine helicopter
Fuselage length
9.53 m
Height
3.18 m
Rotor diameter
10.5 m
Maximum speed
168 knots
Cruising speed
125 to 130 knots
Endurance
3 h 00 with 450 l tank, or 3 h 20 with 540 l JET-A1 total capacity
Engine, SA341
Turbomeca Astazou IIIA, IIIB, IIIC2 or IIIN2
Engine, SA342
Turbomeca Astazou XIVH or XIVM
Power
592 hp on SA341, 870 hp on SA342
MTOW
1,800 kg on SA341, 1,900 kg on SA342, 2,100 kg on SA342M1

Performance

Speed, range and ceiling

Maximum speed
310 km/h (190 mph, 168 kn) at sea level
Cruise speed
264 km/h (164 mph, 143 kn) max cruise at sea level
Economical cruise
233 km/h (145 mph, 126 kn)
Range
775 km (420 nm) at sea level with maximum fuel
Service ceiling
5,000 m (16,000 ft)
Hover ceiling IGE
2,850 m (9,350 ft)
Hover ceiling OGE
2,000 m (6,600 ft)
Rate of climb
9 m/s (1,800 ft/min) max at sea level
Disk loading
19.5 kg/m² (4.0 lb/sq ft)

Records

Three world records in 1971

All set by Denis Prost (France), Aérospatiale SA341 Gazelle, 1971.

  • 296.00 km/h

    Speed over a closed circuit of 100 km without payload

  • 310.00 km/h

    Speed over a straight 3 km course at restricted altitude

  • 312.00 km/h

    Speed over a straight 15/25 km course