Aerospatiale Gazelle

The SA.341 Gazelle is a single turbine engine, five-seat helicopter originally designed by Sud Aviation and produced by Aerospatiale. The original SA.340 first flew on April 7, 1967 with the conventional tail rotor of the Alouette II. In 1968, the second prototype introduced the distinctive fenestron.

Its origin trace back to a French Army requirement for a lightweight utility helicopter. The Gazelle was part of the 1967 Franco-British Agreement to licence production that also included the Puma and Lynx. It was also assembled by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt.

The SA.342 is fitted with the more powerful Astazou XIV engine. Almost 1800 units built until production ended in 1996.