Guy Rump Author
Another old tool helicopter, this one with the Army Air Corps. (UK), a type I have traveled in a number of times. 🙂

J35J
Joining!👍🏻

Guy Rump Author
Have started the Airfix Gazelle. An old tool from 1973 and, as a consequence the internals are basic to say the least. The aircrew as supplied were difficult to sit down in their respective seats so appear to be leaning back a bit.... Hataka BS Medium Sea Grey used for the internals. Mainly Vallejo Model Air and Model Color used for the aircrew.

Many thanks mates for your interest and likes J35J, Hajo L & walaroo. 👍

Guy Rump Author
Today I glued in the cockpit area and then added some ball-bearings for weight as I have read that this is a tail sitter. Hopefully, there's enough weight there to stop this. I also sprayed the rear rotor and the inside of the tail BS Dark Green (Hataka) and added it in readiness for gluing the two main parts of the helo together. 🙂

A warm welcome as usual J35J! 👍

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Guy Rump Author
Today I managed to get the fuselage together, had to do a bit of filling. Added the engine as well. 🙂

Guy Rump Author
Transparencies are now on and masking completed. KV models masks for Heller 1/72 Gazelle used. 🙂

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Guy Rump Author
Primer added and then base camouflage colour, Hataka BS Medium Sea Grey applied. 🙂

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Guy Rump Author
Second part of the camouflage for the Gazelle added, Hataka BS Dark Green. 🙂

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Dave Flitton
Looks like it's going to be a winner!

Guy Rump Author
Gloss varnish applied and then decals added. Matt varnish sprayed on so am ready for the unmasking and final bits to go on. 🙂

Thanks Dave for your kind comment, I appreciate it! 👍

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Guy Rump Author
This kit is supposedly a starter set. I'm not convinced that it would be suitable for beginners as there were quite a few difficulties experienced not least the transparencies. Aside from that, I enjoyed building the kit, it took me back to my service in the Army when the only time I rode "in" one of these was in a casualty pod on the skids during an exercise on Salisbury Plain in 1980. Any mistakes made, are mine.

The Aerospatiale Gazelle was the first helicopter to have a fenestron tail rather than a conventional tail rotor. Introduced into the French Armed Forces in 1971, the first British Army Gazelles began operating with 660 Sqn Army Air Corps on the 6th July 1974 in Germany. They were assigned reconnaissance , troop deployment, direction of artillery fire, casualty evacuation and anti-tank operations. During their Cold War service, Gazelles flew over 660000 hours.

Gazelles were flown in most operational theatres during their service including the Falklands War (Operation Corporate), Northern Ireland (Operation Banner) and Afghanistan (Operation Herrick).

The Gazelle was retired from Army Air Corps service on 31st October 2023.

The RAF began operating Gazelles in August 1974 at RAF Ternhill for RAF helicopter training. The Royal Navy received their first Gazelles in December 1974 with 705 NAS Culdrose.

The aircraft denoted here was with 670 Sqn AAC stationed at Middle Wallop. The Sqn had a training role to train Army pilots. The Sqn was re-formed in 1989 as 670 Sqn AAC, it had previously been a RAF glider Sqn which was formed in 1944 and disbanded in 1946.

Guy Rump Author
Many thanks mates for your interest and likes Cuajete & Gustavo S. 👍

Ekki
Nice one. Like it!

Guy Rump Author
Many thanks Ekki, I really appreciate your kind comment. 👍

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Guy Rump Author
Many thanks mate for your interest and like Bernd G. 👍

Major Oak
Built many in the 70s not as good as yours well done classic kit 👌