Westland Gazelle HT3 - RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK
N 51° 35.845 W 000° 14.263
30U E 691311 N 5719878
This Westland Gazelle HT3 helicopter is located in the "Historic Hangars" at the RAF Museum in Hendon, London. The helicopter dates from 1973.
Waymark Code: WMNJ35
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/21/2015
Views: 3
The RAF Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm with admission being free. Car parking is available but there is a charge. The nearest underground station is Colindale about a 10-15 minute walk away or a number 303 bus passes both the tube station and museum. The co-ordinates posted are for the entrance to the "Milestones of Flight" hall/exhibition entrance.
The RAF Museum's website tells us about the Westland Gazelle:
Built 1973 by Westland Helicopters Ltd of Weston-Super Mare in Somerset as a Gazelle HT Mk3, this aircraft is one of 32 Gazelles delivered to the Royal Air Force. Others served with the Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm.
Originally used as a helicopter pilot trainer at RAF Ternhill in Shropshire, XW855 moved to No.32 Squadron at RAF Northolt in Greater London in 1976, where it was used as a short-range light communications/fast VIP transport, following modification to HCC4 VIP transport standard.
The aircraft's final flight was 2 April 1996, after a total flying time of 3958 hours. Stored, latterly at RAF Shawbury in Salop and moved by road to RAF Museum Hendon in April 2003.
A history of this helicopter can be seen here.