Aérospatiale SA-341 Gazelle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aérospatiale SA-331 Gazelle |
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| Aérospatiale SA-341 Gazelle of the French army | |
| Role | Helicopter |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Aérospatiale. |
| First flight | 1967 |
| Introduction | 1973 |
| Primary user | French Army |
| Produced | until 1996. |
| Number built | 1775. |
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The Aérospatiale SA-341 Gazelle is a light helicopter from France. It was designed and built by a company called Aérospatiale. This helicopter is known for its sleek design and ability to fly fast.
The Gazelle was also made in other countries. In the UK, a company called Westland built it. They called it the Westland Gazelle. It was used by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Some Gazelle helicopters were also built and used in Yugoslavia. There, they were known as the SOKO SA-341 Partizan.
What is the Gazelle Helicopter?
The Gazelle is a versatile helicopter. This means it can do many different jobs. It is a single-engine helicopter. It has a special tail rotor called a "fenestron." This design makes it quieter and safer.
What Was It Used For?
The Gazelle helicopter served many purposes. It was used by armies for several important tasks:
- Anti-tank missions: It could carry weapons to fight against enemy tanks.
- Reconnaissance: This means flying over an area to gather information. It helped armies see what was happening on the ground.
- Training: Many pilots learned to fly helicopters using the Gazelle. It was a good training aircraft.
Besides military use, many Gazelle helicopters are also used for private flights. People use them for travel or other personal reasons.
When Was It Made?
The first Gazelle helicopter flew in 1967. It was officially introduced in 1973. Production of the Gazelle continued until 1996. Over 1,700 of these helicopters were built in total.
