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Westland Gazelle +

Started by Scotaidh, October 08, 2021, 01:58:49 AM

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Scotaidh

October 08, 2021, 01:58:49 AM
I've always thought the Gazelle & Dauphin are almost the perfect helicopters - great shapes, fenestrons (seriously, why haven't all helicopters gone to that, if only for safety?)

Then this morning I had the thought of replacing the Gazelle's power pack with that of the AW 159 Wildcat.  The thought of a Gazelle turnin' & burnin' ala Lynx Mk 8 (the latest version I've seen flying) makes me a bit weak at the knees.

I'd basically cut off a Lynx engine suite off the top of the craft and put it on the top of a Gazelle cabin, keeping the empennage & fenestron.  I've no idea if it'd be a good fit or if fettling would be required - I suspect the latter, if only because Murphy has a keen interest in modelers' efforts - well, mine, anyway.  ;)

I'm not really a helicopter modeler - the blades always come to grief with me.  Has anyone already tried this?
Thistle dew, Pig - thistle dew!

Where am I going?  And why am I in a handbasket?

It's dark in the dark when it's dark. Ancient Ogre Proverb

"All right, boyz - the plan iz 'Win.'  And if ya lose, it's yer own fault 'coz ya didn't follow the plan."

PR19_Kit

#1
October 08, 2021, 02:15:17 AM
My son-in-law, who's an ATC at RAF Cosford, told me about how they hooked up external loads under a Gazelle. The ground crew would hand signal the pilot into the approximate place, and then grab hold of the skids and HEAVE the Gazelle into the correct position!  ;D

It was so light that two guys could do it easily.  :o
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit

zenrat

#2
October 08, 2021, 04:15:00 AM
I used a Mangusta engine.

Aerospatiale Oryx - 8 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

I have another Airfix Gazelle in the stash which is earmarked to become Blue Thunder.
Fred

- Can't be bothered to do the proper research and get it right.

Another ill conceived, lazily thought out, crudely executed and badly painted piece of half arsed what-if modelling muppetry from zenrat industries.

zenrat industries:  We're everywhere...for your convenience..

Weaver

#3
October 08, 2021, 04:35:45 AM
Should probably have replaced the fenestron with small turbofan while you were at it.... :wacko:
"We thank you, but this diversion is not true. Things never happened thus."

"Oh, but it IS true. Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are
the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot."

- Sandman: A Midsummer Night's Dream, by Neil Gaiman

zenrat

#4
October 08, 2021, 04:47:09 AM
Should have done a lot different. I wasn't happy with that one.
Fred

- Can't be bothered to do the proper research and get it right.

Another ill conceived, lazily thought out, crudely executed and badly painted piece of half arsed what-if modelling muppetry from zenrat industries.

zenrat industries:  We're everywhere...for your convenience..

ChernayaAkula

#5
October 08, 2021, 09:10:21 AM
Quote from: Scotaidh on October 08, 2021, 01:58:49 AM
<...> I had the thought of replacing the Gazelle's power pack with that of the AW 159 Wildcat.  <...>
I'd basically cut off a Lynx engine suite off the top of the craft and put it on the top of a Gazelle cabin, keeping the empennage & fenestron. <...>

Great idea!  :thumbsup: Have thought about something similar, but with a light reconnaissance/attack helicopter in mind, basically swapping the Lynx' side-by-side cockpit and cabin for a slim fuselage with tandem seats. Kinda what the Chinese did: take a Dauphin and bolt on a tandem cockpit.



Cheers,
Moritz

Must, then, my projects bend to the iron yoke of a mechanical system? Is my soaring spirit to be chained down to the snail's pace of matter?
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