Sud-Aviation SA 341 Gazelle

A light, five-seat multipurpose helicopter. It comes with 3 paint schemes.

Technical specifications:

• Maximum speed: 265 km/h
• Capacity: 3 Passengers
• Availability: from 1973

The Gazelle was developed during the 1960s as a successor to the Alouette II as well as to meet a French Army requirement for a new lightweight observation helicopter. The Gazelle is considerably larger than the preceding Alouette series, yet is still powered by a single Turbomeca Astazou turbine engine. Innovations in the design of the Gazelle, aside from the fenestron, included an emphasis on minimal maintenance requirements, the use of a articulated rotor system, (feather, drag and pitch hinges), and rotor blades manufactured with composite materials. The rotor blades took a considerable amount of time to develop. In February 1967, France and the United Kingdom inked a cooperation agreement, which would see Westland Aircraft produce the Gazelle on British soil and partner with Sud Aviation on future refinements and upgrades to the Gazelle. On 7 April 1967, the Gazelle performed its maiden flight.