Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
1982 Westland Gazelle HT.2 Gazelle, (ex ZB646), G-CBGZ and Project Lynx's former British Army Air Corps Westland Lynx, XZ179, G-NCKS, performing together at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford on the first day of the Duxford Summer Airshow 2023. This was the first paired display for the Lynx, whereas the Gazelle previously performed as part of the Gazelle Display Team, but is now with the 'Project Lynx' team. This display is reminiscent of the days of the Army Air Corps 'Blue Eagles' Helicopter Display Team which used these aircraft types together.
Westland Lynx XZ179:- This Army Air Corps (AAC) Lynx made its first flight on 22 May 1978. It was the tenth Lynx AH1 built by Westland at its Yeovil plant, making its first flight in the hands of test pilot Roy Moxam. It was retained by manufacturer Westland and the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) for trials. It was delivered to the AAC on 24 February 1983 as a Lynx AH1. It was converted to AH7 standard at RNAY Fleetlands in 1988 and flew with 652, 654, 655, 659, 661, 667 and 672 Squadrons before ending its service with 671 Squadron. Retired in 2013, it went into the Lynx/Wildcat donor programme at Middle Wallop on 19 November and was stripped for spares before disposal. It was sold to its current owner during 2019 and went onto the UK Civil Aviation Register, as G-NCKS, during October 2019. After being transferred by road on 10 September 2019 to Weald Aviation Ltd at North Weald Airfield, Essex, it was surveyed and its restoration started. The first post restoration flight was on 23 December 2021 (low hovers only) and on 14 February 2022 it made its first full post restoration flight.
First flying in 1971, the Westland Lynx to this day holds the international speed record for a helicopter at 249.09mph, new designs have gone faster but are not classed as a traditional helicopter. The landing skid equipped version of the Lynx entered service with the Army Air Corps in 1979 as the AH.1 and were regularly upgraded into the AH.7, which served as the Army's anti-tank helicopter for the latter half of the cold war and throughout the 1990s, seeing service in both Gulf Wars. The Lynx AH.7 was replaced in the anti-tank role in 2005 by the Apache and was eventually retired from support roles in August 2015. The Lynx helicopter was retired from British military service in early 2018, when the last two AH.9As, from 657 Squadron AAC, were delivered for disposal to AAC Middle Wallop on 26 January 2018.
projectlynx.co.uk
Westland SA.341C Gazelle, G-CBGZ, ex ZB646:- This Gazelle served with the Royal Navy. It has links to the Royal Navy 'Sharks' Helicopter Display Team but is now in an all over metallic graphite color, with the tail wearing the 'Sharks' art along with 60th anniversary marks in honour of 705 Naval Squadron's diamond anniversary in 1996.
This Video and Audio content is
Copyright © 2024 StephenKeeler (HightFlight/SkyHighFlightTV) All Rights Reserved
1982 Westland Gazelle HT.2 Gazelle, (ex ZB646), G-CBGZ and Project Lynx's former British Army Air Corps Westland Lynx, XZ179, G-NCKS, performing together at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford on the first day of the Duxford Summer Airshow 2023. This was the first paired display for the Lynx, whereas the Gazelle previously performed as part of the Gazelle Display Team, but is now with the 'Project Lynx' team. This display is reminiscent of the days of the Army Air Corps 'Blue Eagles' Helicopter Display Team which used these aircraft types together.
Westland Lynx XZ179:- This Army Air Corps (AAC) Lynx made its first flight on 22 May 1978. It was the tenth Lynx AH1 built by Westland at its Yeovil plant, making its first flight in the hands of test pilot Roy Moxam. It was retained by manufacturer Westland and the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) for trials. It was delivered to the AAC on 24 February 1983 as a Lynx AH1. It was converted to AH7 standard at RNAY Fleetlands in 1988 and flew with 652, 654, 655, 659, 661, 667 and 672 Squadrons before ending its service with 671 Squadron. Retired in 2013, it went into the Lynx/Wildcat donor programme at Middle Wallop on 19 November and was stripped for spares before disposal. It was sold to its current owner during 2019 and went onto the UK Civil Aviation Register, as G-NCKS, during October 2019. After being transferred by road on 10 September 2019 to Weald Aviation Ltd at North Weald Airfield, Essex, it was surveyed and its restoration started. The first post restoration flight was on 23 December 2021 (low hovers only) and on 14 February 2022 it made its first full post restoration flight.
First flying in 1971, the Westland Lynx to this day holds the international speed record for a helicopter at 249.09mph, new designs have gone faster but are not classed as a traditional helicopter. The landing skid equipped version of the Lynx entered service with the Army Air Corps in 1979 as the AH.1 and were regularly upgraded into the AH.7, which served as the Army's anti-tank helicopter for the latter half of the cold war and throughout the 1990s, seeing service in both Gulf Wars. The Lynx AH.7 was replaced in the anti-tank role in 2005 by the Apache and was eventually retired from support roles in August 2015. The Lynx helicopter was retired from British military service in early 2018, when the last two AH.9As, from 657 Squadron AAC, were delivered for disposal to AAC Middle Wallop on 26 January 2018.
projectlynx.co.uk
Westland SA.341C Gazelle, G-CBGZ, ex ZB646:- This Gazelle served with the Royal Navy. It has links to the Royal Navy 'Sharks' Helicopter Display Team but is now in an all over metallic graphite color, with the tail wearing the 'Sharks' art along with 60th anniversary marks in honour of 705 Naval Squadron's diamond anniversary in 1996.
This Video and Audio content is
Copyright © 2024 StephenKeeler (HightFlight/SkyHighFlightTV) All Rights Reserved
