The Army's Gazelle Helicopters Final Day of Service, Arriving at Middle Wallop.

The Army's Gazelle Helicopters Final Day of Service in the UK. Three of them left Northern Ireland and flew to some sites linked to their history during their 49 years of service. Here they are arriving at Middle Wallop for refuelling and a short break before they continued with their flypasts to eventually land at Vector Aerospace International Ltd Gosport. I spent many years in my machine shop manufacturing, refurbishing and modifying parts for these wonderful aircraft. Happy Days !

[@MilitaryHistoryWithWill71]

Great memories whilst serving in Ireland, the sound was amazing.

[@bigbang7897]

I lived close to a major army base in N Ireland and grew up with helicopters flying 24/7 as a kid I remember the first to arrive was the Bell 47 and the Wessex then came the Wasp, Lynx, Puma, Chinook and the Sea King. After the Good Friday agreement was signed the Army departed and so did the choppers I couldn't sleep at night because I missed the sound of them I don't miss the troubles but I do miss the helicopters.

[@billwright3810]

The Whistling Chicken Leg...one of many types I had the pleasure of flying over 38 years with the AAC. Sad to see this reliable work horse finally leave operational service. 😢

[@kenthetuner]

Bill, I hadn't heard the Gazelle called that for ages. I had forgotten that nick name.

[@user-sw3mb9fu2w]

The navy versio often flies over our village in Cornwall from and to Devenport. Nicknamed "The Admirals Barge". They are due for retirement as well.

[@kenthetuner]

Thanks for your comment, The Admirals Barge Lol I haven't heard that one before, I remember seeing A5 size posters FLY NAVY discreetly stuck up around AAC M Wallop in around 2001.

[@kenthetuner]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to comment on this post and to me your memories are as important as the Gazelle.

[@Monsoon-sd6vr]

Lets not forget "who" we lost in NI and the Falklands whilst using these perfect aircraft flown by the Army some as ow ranked as Cpl

[@TheSilversurfmonkey]

Spent some fun times as a cadet hedge-hopping round the German countryside in a Gazelle. Not sure they'd be allowed to fly as low with kids on board these days as they did with us

[@MrCemicalX]

We over here in Austria are also seing the last of this machine. Than again the various types of helicopters in our army and the unecessary strain on logistics with it will see it replaced in the near future and helicopter types reduced as a whole. Still lovely machine with a long history in many theaters.

[@stephensmith4480]

The Armagh Taxi service. These Machines will be sadly missed.

[@stuartsmith7618]

Lovely helicopters. my uncles farm is just on the opposite side of the greatly hill fort .I used to sit in the front room and see the Gazelle’s flying over the top of the hill and drop dawn into the valley again amazing lovely sound, not as good as a Chinook though