Aérospatiale SA 341/342 Gazelle
Aérospatiale / Airbus Helicopters / SOKO · France · first flew 1967 · helicopter
The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a light utility helicopter notable for its enclosed fenestron tail rotor and sleek aerodynamic fuselage, giving it a distinctive and quieter profile than contemporaries. It was developed jointly with Westland under the 1967 Anglo-French helicopter agreement.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.97 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Enclosed fenestron (shrouded tail rotor)
- Teardrop-shaped glazed cabin
- Streamlined pod-and-boom design
The Gazelle is instantly recognisable by its fully enclosed fenestron tail rotor integrated into the fin, its large bubble canopy, and its slim, streamlined fuselage — no exposed tail rotor is visible.
Specifications
- The Aérospatiale SA 341/342 Gazelle has a length of 11.97 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.5 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 264 km/h (164 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The SA 340 prototype first flew in April 1967, with the production SA 341 entering service in 1973. Built under licence by SOKO in Yugoslavia and by Westland in the UK, the Gazelle became a widely used light military helicopter. It served in multiple conflicts including the Falklands War, Gulf War, and Yugoslav Wars.
Variants
Main variants include the SA 341 (military and civil) and the uprated SA 342 with a Makila turboshaft; the SA 342M is the French Army anti-tank version armed with HOT missiles. SOKO produced the HN-42M Gama armed variant.
Where you'll see it
The Gazelle has served with the British Army, Royal Marines, RAF, and French Army, as well as dozens of other air arms worldwide; it remains in limited service with several nations including Syria and Egypt.
Related aircraft
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