Farewell to the AAC Gazelle (Oct 23)
To celebrate the distinguished service history of the Gazelle helicopter, and mark its withdrawal from service at the end of this month, 5 Regt AAC will be conducting a final fly past through the UK next Monday 23rd October 2023.
The farewell flight will be departing from, stopping at or overflying, UK locations that have played an important role across the Gazelle's service.
The Aerospatiale/Westlands Gazelle entered service 6 July 1974 and has provided valiant service to UK Defence in the UK including Northern Ireland; Germany, Hong Kong, Falklands, Iraq, Kosovo, Canada, Kenya, Belize and Cyprus.
The Gazelle has, at one time or another, served in every arm of the UK Armed Forces in training, reconnaissance, battlefield communication, direction of artillery fire, casualty evacuation and anti-tank roles.
Regarding a successor to the Gazelle, An Army spokesperson said:
"We operate a range of aircraft to meet our operational requirements and any replacement for Gazelle will be framed by the 2021 Defence Rotary Wing Strategy and evolving operational demands."
Flypast details below.
5 Regt AAC Gazelle UK Flypast - 23rd Oct 2023
1000 - FS Aldergrove
1005 - 38X HQ Thiepval Barracks
1130 - Manchester Barton
1330 - RAF Shawbury
1400 - Hereford
1420 - DE&S Abbey Wood
1445 - Army HQ - Andover
1450 - Middle Wallop
1540 - Safran Aerospace
1545 - Fleetlands - Vector
• Army Air Corps News.
Gazelle Route (23.10.23) on ADS-B Exchange:
