Issue 12 – May 2017
This issue wraps up a whole year of Spotter Magazine. We dedicated much of this issue to the Panavia Tornado, a warplane entering the twilight of its career, but spectacular nonetheless. We are proud to receive our first contribution from Pakistan, another proof that this magazine is indeed bringing spotters from all around the world together. Enjoy your read, and please support this project if you can.
Mark Zerafa Editor
Got Something to Share? If you have anything aviation related, be it photos, articles or artworks, please contact us on:
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Cover Photo: The unmistakable silhouette of a Panavia Tornado pulling hard, creating a fantastic condensation effect. (Jamie Ewan)
Contents Pakistan Day Flypast
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Cape Town Tower
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Saudi Tornados
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Tornado ADV
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Tornado: The Early Days
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German Tornados
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Pretty in Pink
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Spera Tornado
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Italian Tornados
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Tornado: RAF Special Schemes
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Mumbai International
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Gazelle at 50
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Credits Mark Zerafa, Massimiliano Zammit, Richard J. Caruana, Jamie Ewan, Abdus Sattar, Alan Cordina, Mohamed ‘zs-mk’, Rick Sleight, Evert Keijzer – Irondbird Photography, Aldo Bidini, Nicholas Carmassi, Cliff Ibell, Aneesh Bapaye
Editorial Address:
Copyright Notice
238, Morning Star, Manuel Dimech Str Sliema SLM 1052 MALTA, EUROPE
Editor: Profiles:
Mark Zerafa
Design Assistant:
Massimiliano Zammit
Richard J. Caruana Massimiliano Zammit
All photos and articles remain the intellectual and artistic property of the respective credited persons. All unauthorised reproduction, by any means, both printed and digital, is considered an infringement of this copyright and all remedies available by law will be taken against any infringements of such copyright.
Inner Cover: Spanish Air Force Hercules in classic desert camouflage coming in to land. (Mark Zerafa)
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You have now been enjoying Spotter Magazine for the last year. Lots of hard work from many volunteers all around the world goes into this publication. Buying a similar publication from your newsagent isn’t cheap. But Spotter Magazine is free, to encourage the love of our passion for aviation all over the world and promoting the talent of upcoming aviation photographers.
We firmly believe that all photographers should be compensated for their work. So show your appreciation for our work by sending us a donation, however large or small, to our PayPal account quoted below. At the end of every year, these funds will be distributed amongst our contributors, according to their input in the magazine over the year. So please show your appreciation and support to all those who help give you a monthly aviation read, free of charge.
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Photos: Abdus Sattar Text: Mark Zerafa
23rd MAY 2017 is Pakistan Day. To mark the day, Pakistani armed forces mount an impressive parade, complete with a flypast, which involved Pakistani Air Force F-16s and JF-17s. The two are the main fighter types operated by the PAF.
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Pakistan originally ordered a total of 111 F-16A/B aircraft. Of these, only 40 covered by the ‘Peace Gate I’ and ‘Peace Gate II’ agreements were delivered, due to a US embargo in retaliation for Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme. The first F-16 landed at Sargodha Air Base on January 15th, 1983. A further 28 were built, but were stored at AMARC and never delivered. Following botched attempts to sell these aircraft first to Indonesia and then to New Zealand, these would ultimately be operated by the USAF and US Navy as aggressor aircraft. However, given developments with the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan, the PAF was allowed delivery of 18 new Block50/52 F-16C/Ds.
Armament fit for Pakistani F-16s includes the AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missile, as well as, rather unusually, its French equivalent, the Matra Magic 2. In the strike role, the Paveway laser-guided bomb and the French AS-30 laserguided missile can be carried. In 1986, the French Thomson-CSF ATLIS laser designation pod was integrated into the aircraft.
Pakistani F-16s were among the first to see actual combat, often being required to intercept Soviet and Afghan aircraft which had ventured over Pakistani airspace during the first Afghan war. This resulted in the downing of eight aircraft for the loss of a single F-16.
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The JF-17 Thunder is a joint Sino-Pakistani aircraft, first flown in August 2003. The first PAF squadron, No.26 ‘Black Spiders’, attained initial operational capability in February 2010. Four squadrons currently fly the JF-17 from Peshawar, Masroor and Minhas, and deliveries proceed at the rate of around 25 airframes annually. Future plans call for the JF-17 Block 3 with improved AESA radar, new cockpit instrumentation and improved performance, as well as a two-seat JF-17B
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Photos: Mohamed ‘zs-mk’ Text: Mohamed ‘zs-mk’
Cape Town International is the second busiest airport in South Africa, and the third busiest in the African continent. Serving both internal and international flights through three terminals, the airport was subject to a major expansion in 2010 for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Between April 2016 and MAY 2017. The airport has handled more than 10 million passengers. With permission from Air Traffic Navigation Services-Cape Town, a group of spotters was allowed to take photos from the tower.
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Turkish Airlines A330 rotating off Runway 19 on a direct service to Istanbul-Ataturk
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Air Namibia with positive rate of climb and landing gear in transit, departing direct to Windhoek-Hosea Kutako Inrernational.
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Panning Shot of a Comair 737-800 under franchise agreement with British Airways, lifting off Runway 19. 15
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FlySafair Boeing737-400 rolling on Runway 19 in a special ‘Springbok’ livery. South African Airlines A340-600 ZS-SNC wearing ‘Star Alliance’ livery, in full reverse thrust.
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Cemair’s sole DHC-8-102 taxis into the apron after landing.
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Condor’s retro-schemed 767 D-ABUM departing back to Frankfurt.
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Photos: as credited Text: Mark Zerafa
The Tornado was a trailblazer in many aspects. Together with Concorde and Jaguar, it was one of the first multi-national co-operation programmes in the world. The end-result was a multi-role aircraft which has proved itself in combat in a number of roles, living up to its initial designation MRCA – Multi-Role Combat Aircraft. Now at the twilight of its career, the aircraft remains a potent weapon system which should never be underestimated.
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Pleasing low-light head-on study of an RAF Tornado GR.4A. Noteworthy are the in-flight refuelling plumbing and the inner Sidewinder mount on the inner wing pylon. (Jamie Ewan)
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Colour Profiles: Richard J. Caruana Photos: Alan Cordina Text: Mark Zerafa
Saudi Arabia was the only country outside the consortium to operate Tornados, operating both the IDS and the ADV versions. Most similar in armament fit to British Tornado GR.1As, four squadrons, based at Dhahran. An upgrade programe is in place to bring them up to a standard similar to the RAF’s Tornado GR.4s
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On September 26th, 1985, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Saudi and the British governments providing for the purchase of 48 Tornado IDS, 24 Tornado ADVs, 30 Hawks and 30 PC-9 aircraft. Delivery of the last Saudi Tornado, also the last Tornado built, was effected in September 1998. In February 2010, a contract was signed to upgrade Saudi Tornados to launch the stealthy Storm Shadow cruise missile and the Brimstone anti-armour missile, as part of BAE systems’ Saudi Tornado Sustainment Programme. Earlier upgrades under this programme involved improved cockpit displays, modernised communications systems, GPS navigation and other modernisations enabling them to deliver a wider range of precision-guided munitions. The entire fleet was upgraded by 2013.
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Colour Profiles: Richard J. Caruana Photos: as credited Text: Mark Zerafa
Initially requested only by the Royal Air Force, the Tornado ADV was a long-range interceptor to counter incoming Soviet bombers from the North. With an extended fuselage , partly to accommodate the new air interception radar and partly to carry a quartet of Sky Flash missiles in semi-recessed positions, the aircraft first flew in October 27th, 1979 and entered service in 1984. Eventually, Italy and Saudi Arabia would also operate the ADV.
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The only remaining Tornado F.3 in Italian Air Force markings, MM7210 was one of 24 Tornado F.3s leased from the RAF to fill in a gap caused by the obsolescence of Italy’s F-104S still in service due to delays in the Eurofighter Typhoon programme. It is now displayed at the Italian Air Force museum at Vigna di Valle. Given further delays in the EF2000 programme, the Tornado F.3s were in turn replaced by leased former USAF F-16s. (Mark Zerafa)
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Tornado F.3 ZE887/GF RAF from 43 Sqn landing at Waddington for the 2006 airshow, with special tail markings. A total of 18 F. Mk.2s and 152 F.Mk.3s were built for the RAF, equipping a training unit and seven operational squadrons. (Rick Sleight)
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ZD901/AA RAF 229 OCU Tornado F.2 at RAF Coningsby 10th March 1987. The F.2s served until 1988, when sufficient F.3s had been delivered to equip the OCU. As from January 1 st, 1987, the OCU assumed the identity of No.65 (Reserve) Squadron, then No.56 (Reserve Squadron from July 1st 1992 onwards.
ZE288/HA RAF/111 Sqn Tornado F.3 landing at RAF Waddington. 111 Squadron
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transitioned from the Phantom to the Tornado at RAF Leuchars on May 1 st, 1990.
ZE888/AN RAF/56 [Reserve] Sqn Tornado F3 RAF Coningsby/UK July 2001 still wearing code T of 111 Sqn, it's previous unit.
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Panavia Tornado F2 ZD932, 229 OCU, Royal Air Force.
Panavia Tornado F3, MM7229, 21o Gruppo, Italian Air Force, formerly ZG728 with the Royal Air Force.
Panavia Tornado F3, ZG780/H, 'Hope', No 1435 Flight, Falklands, 1996. Camouflage Grey (BS.382C-626) upper surfaces; all undersides in Light Aircraft Grey (BS.381C-627); national markings in pink and pale blue. Serial in white, code in red. 'Maltese' cross on fin, unit badge on forward fuselage
Panavia Tornado F.3, 3457, No 29 Squadron, Royal Saudi Air Force. Camouflage Grey (BS.382C-626) upper surfaces; all undersides in Light Aircraft Grey (BS.381C-627); national markings on fuselage sides, above port and below starboard wings; RSAF in black above starboard and below port wings. Unit badge on fin.
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Tornado F.3 ZE161/AX of 229 OCU at RAF Finningley on September 19th, 1986 at the Battle of Britain Airshow static.
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Tornado F.3 ZE758/CB from No.5 Squadron, RAF, landing at Coningsby on June 6th, 1988 during Exercise Central Enterprise. (Rick Sleight)
Special tail markings adorn ZE785 of the RAF’s Fast Jet Weapons OEU, lending at RAF Waddington in June 2004 where it was temporarily based whilst repairs were underway at RAF Coningsby’s runways.
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Photos: Mark Zerafa, unless otherwise credited Text: Mark Zerafa
Before most military fast jets ended up repainted in grey, most Tornados wore beautiful colour schemes in line with their expected role on NATO’s front-line in Europe, screaming down valleys in central Europe towards their targets.
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Tornado GR.1T ZA604, Royal Air Force TWCU (45 [Reserve] Sqn ) Tornado GR1(T) at RAF Finningley on September 19th, 1986 in static at the Battle of Britain open day. (Rick Sleight) 39
SPOTTER MAGAZINE Tornado GR.1A of 617 Squadron getting ready to depart after participating in one of the early editions of the Malta International Airshow. Note the drop tanks still in Desert Storm colours
Tornado GR.1A of 2 Squadron arriving in Malta.
Tornado GR.1T of the TTTE (Trinational Tornado Training Establishment) being prepared for its flying display. Operational between 1981 and 1999, the unit performed training for RAF, Luftwaffe and Italian pilots from RAF Cottesmore.
ZA560 was the official display aircraft back in the good old days when the RAF had a Tornado solo display flown by a specially-painted aircraft.
Another TTTE aircraft, when the RAF discovered the grey paint can..
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The German Navy’s Marineflieger 43+87 at the 2011 Malta International Airshow. This was one of the last Tornados to wear the whitegrey scheme.
Luftwaffe 44+61 wearing the original two-tone green camouflage.
Luftwaffe 46+45 Tornado ECR in a special Tiger scheme.
Marineflieger 45+38 in the later camouflage scheme.
Aeronautica Militare Tornado 36.55 in the original Italian Air Force camouflage scheme
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Colour Profiles: Richard J. Caruana Photos: as credited Text: Mark Zerafa
The German Luftwaffe became the largest Tornado operator. With 247 new-build aircraft, and a further 40 assimilated from the Marineflieger, the Tornado deliveries closed German Air Arm’s unhappy relationship with the Starfighter.
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46+57 Tornado ECR departing RAF Fairford in July 2012 after RIAT. Specially painted for 2012 NATO Tiger Meet in Norway. (Rick Sleight) 43
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45+30 was the final display aircraft to be operated by the Marineflieger before its aircraft were absorbed by the Luftwaffe. It now languishes in the Nordholz aviation museum. The Marineflieger was the first German arm to receive the Tornado, equipping two wings, MFG-1 and MFG-2. Operating in the maritime stricke and reconnaissance role, armed primarily with the Kormoran Mk.2 anti-ship missile and the AGM-88 HARM missile. Marineflieger Tornados were also capable of buddy-buddy refuelling. MFG-1 was de-activated on January 1st, 1994. MFG-2 absorbed most of its aircraft, until it itself was disbanded, bringing to an end all German Navy fast-jet operations.
SAS is another regular operator, with its CRJ-1000s replacing its Q400s, which did not enjoy a particularly happy career with the airline. the F-16.
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Luftwaffe Special Schemes. Luftwaffe 45+03 of WTD-61 in a special scheme celebrating 50 years of flight testing activity, Manching September 2007. Luftwaffe 43+96 of AG-51, in special colours for the NATO Tiger Meet, Cambrai, May 2003. Luftwaffe 46+33 of JBG-32 wearing a special scheme celebrating 50 years of the NATO Tiger Association
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Luftwaffe Tornado ECR 46+29 of JBG-32.
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Luftwaffe 45+06 AG-51 at the 2009 NATO Tiger Meet at Kleine Brogel, Belgium. (Rick Sleight)
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Luftwaffe 45+51 AG-51 at the 2011 NATO Tiger Meet at Cambrai, with special markings for the 50th Anniversary of the NATO Tiger Association.
Luftwaffe Tornado ECR 46+29 from JBG-32 wearing a digital ‘Tiger’ camouflage scheme
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Luftwaffe 46+29 in its element over the North Sea. The variable geometry wing of the Tornado makes the aircraft supremely adaptable to high-performance flight as well as the low speed required to remain behind the camera ship. (Evert Keijzer – Ironbird Photography)
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Photos: Jamie Ewan Text: Mark Zerafa
Operation Desert Storm was probably the Tornado’s finest hour. With British GR.1s based at Dhahran, Tabuk and Muharraq, Saudi Tornado IDS and a dozen Italian Tornado IDS at Al Dhafra. To commemorate 25 years from the operation, RAF Tornado GR4 ZG750 was repainted in ‘desert pink’.
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Tornados sprang into action from the very first night, initially tasked with airfield interdiction operations, using the JP-223 anti-runway bomb. These were very risky operations, requiring very low-level flight across heavily-defended airfield brimming with anti-aircraft artillery. The success of these missions was instrumental in keeping the Iraqi Air Force at bay, thus helping achieve total air superiority over Iraqi skies. With the airfields eliminated, the Tornados switched to medium-level bombing, but this eroded bombing accuracy, which led to the Blackburn Buccaneer being rapidly deployed in order to provide laser designation for Paveway laser-guided bombs. Eventually, four GR1s were hastily equipped with two prototype TIALD laser designation pods. Nine other Tornados were modified to launch ALARM anti-radar missiles against Iraqi SAM sites, and other Tornados flew reconnaissance missions.
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The real thing – ZA492 of 20 Squadron, Royal Air Force, at RAF Finningley in September 1991, arriving for the static display with its authentic desert scheme, complete with sharkmouth and mission markings on the port side.
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Photos: Aldo Bidini Text: Mark Zerafa
The 311o Gruppo Volo within the Italian Air Force’s Reparto Sperimentale Volo is tasked with the testing and evaluation of all the aircraft and associated equipment the Italian air arm operates, or is considering to procure. It is also tasked with all the Italian Air Force’s solo flying display presentations at airshows. Based at Pratica Di Mare, the unit flies most of the types in the Italian inventory. Initially formed as the Nucleo Sperimentale Volo in 1948, it was redesignated Reparto Sperimentale Volo on October 15th, 1949. On July 1st, 1956, the unit restructured into the Gruppo Volo, which was designated the 311o Gruppo Volo, which, as the name implies, is responsible for flight testing, and Direzione Tecnica, which is mainly responsible for the technical aspect of things. To mark the 60th anniversary of the formation of 311o Gruppo Volo, a special livery was applied to one of the unit’s Tornados, RS-01 MM7014. Designed by Aldo Drudi, complete with matching pilots’ helmets, the aircraft was unveiled at Pratica di Mare on October 27th, 2016.
AERONAUTICA MILITARE ITALIANA
Since the aircraft is designated to be the official Italian Air Force display aircraft, it is expected to attend a number of airshows in Europe this year.
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Colour Profiles: Richard J. Caruana Photos: Nicholas Carmassi unless otherwise credited Text: Mark Zerafa
The Italian Air Force received 100 Tornado IDS aircraft, including 12 twin-stick trainers. First delivery was effected on May 17th, 1982, and a total of four squadrons are thus equipped.
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MM7082 lands at Lechfeld, Germany in July 2008 during Exercise Elite
MM7074 RS-05 311o Gruppo, Reparto Sperimentale Volo
Tornado ECR MM7053
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Tornado ECR MM7006 6o Stormo, 154 o Gruppo, coming to land at RAF Fairford in July 2008. The unit received its first Tornados in 1982, and remained operational in the attack and reconnaissance mission from its base in Ghedi. MM7054 on the static display at Pratica Di Mare.
(Mark Zerafa)
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Photos: as credited Text: Mark Zerafa
We take a look at some of the more colourful schemes fielded by the Royal Air Force on its ground-attack Tornados over the years.
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ZD748 form No.2 Squadron departs from RAF Fairford. Special colours to celebrate 95 years of the squadron. (Mark Zerafa) 65
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ZA461 taxis out in special markings marking the centenary of No.15 squadron. ZA600 wears special colours marking the 95th Anniversary of No. 41(R) Squadron (Jamie Ewan)
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. 1. ZD742 received this special paint to mark the 75 Years of No.17 Squadron. The squadron operated the Tornado in the nuclear strike role from 1985 till 2002. 2. Operating Tornados since 1993, No 12 Squadron has a long history, as marked by ZA405 to celebrate its centenary in 2015. 3. ZA614 of No.41(R) Sqn in a special scheme commemorating Group Captain Don Finlay, OC of the squadron between September 1940 and August 1941. Prior to serving in the RAF, Finlay was an Olypic Athlete, winning medals in the 1932 and 1936 Olympics. 4. ZA412 marking the 70th Anniversary of No.617 Sqn, affectionately known as the ‘Dambusters’. 5. ZG771 in a special scheme to mark the centenary of RAF Marham.
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Photos: Aneesh Bapaye Text: Mark Zerafa
The second busiest airport in India and the 14th busiest in Asia, Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport handles almost 45 million passengers annually. It is the busiest single-runwayoperation airport in the world. With three terminals, it handles 850 aircraft movements daily. Here we will have a look at some of the local movements in this airport.
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Spicejet is a low-cost airline with its headquarters in Gurgaon, India. It flies over 300 flights daily to 55 destinations, 45 being domestic and 10 international. It operates a fleet of Dash 8s and Boeing 737s. Twenty routes are flown from Mumbai.
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Founded in 1992, Jet Airways is India’s second largest airline. From its main hub in Mumbai, it operates 300 flights daily to 69 destinations. From humble beginnings as an air taxi operator in 1993, it began full airline operations in 1995 and commenced international flights in 2004. Ten Boeing 777-300ERs form the backbone of its long-haul fleet, together with nine Airbus A330s. These will be supplemented by ten Boeing 787-9s, due for delivery towards the end of 2017. The short-haul routes are the domain of the Boeing 737, with 75 currently in service, these comprising 5 B737-700s, 64 737-800s, 2 737-900s and 4 737-900ERs. A total of 79 737 MAX-8s are on order, with first deliveries scheduled for June 2018. The airline also operates 18 ATR-72s for regional flights.
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With 27 737s in service and a massive order for up to 205 737 MAX-8s, Boeing’s narrowbody forms the backbone of SpiceJet’s fleet. Originally an air taxi operator set up in 1984 by Indian industrialist S.K. Modi, under the name of ModiLuft, the company expanded in February 193 as MG Express, providing passenger and cargo services with the technical assistance of German carrier Lufthansa. Operations ceased in 1996. Resurrected by Ajay Singh in 2004, the company restarted operations under the name ‘SpiceJet’ based on a low-cost airline model, using two leased 737-800 aircraft. The first flight, between Delhi and Mumbai, was flown on May 24th, 2005. By 2008, it was India’s third-largest low-cost carrier by market share. Financial difficulties in 2014 grounded the airline, but a turnaround was achieved in 2015. Interestingly, the airline names all its aircraft with the name of an Indian spice.
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1. JetKonnect is a low-cost brand of Jet Airways. Launched in May 2009, it operates a fleet of 737NGs and ATR-72s on short-haul routes. In March 2012 it was merged with JetLite, and following the downfall of Kingfisher Airlines, started offering business-class seats. 2. A320 leased from Small Planet to GoAir 3. Leases always bring about some interesting hybrid colour schemes. Smartwings 737-800 has been leased to Spicejet and is wearing its titles while retaining its original colour scheme.
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Headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, India, IndiGo is Asia’s largest airline by passengers carried and fleet size. With a network of 46 destinations, it commenced operations in August 2006. Operating both A320-200s and A320neos, it also has 20 A321neos on order. It is currently the largest operator of the A320neo. Another low-cost carrier based in Mumbai, GoAir commenced operations in November 2005 using a fleet of A320s in all-economy configuration. It has started taking deliveries of the A320neo, and has an ambitious expansion programme.
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Photos: Cliff Ibell Text: Mark Zerafa
First flown on April 7th, 1967 the Eurocopter Gazelle remains a highly effective light transport helicopter with both civilian and military applications. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, a fly-in was held at AAC Middle Wallop, Hampshire, home of Army Aviation in the United Kingdom
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The French ALAT (Aviation Legere de l’Armee de Terre) received its first Gazelles in 1973, and operates them in training transport and scouting roles. Still in service is the Gazelle Viviane, which has night strike capability with its HOT missiles and rotor blades from the Ecureuil. Although slated for eventual replacement by the Tigre, the Gazelle remains a popular and rugged helipcopter, proven in combat time and time again, having seen action in Chad, Yugoslavia, Djibouti, Somalia, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Afghanistan, Libya and the First Gulf War.
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Through an agreement reached in 1967, Westland Helicopters began license production of the Gazelle for use by the British forces. Deliveries to the Army Air Corps began in 1973. 282 examples were built by the time production ceased in 1983. Apart from ten civil helicopters and two destined for the Qatari police, all these went to the British Army, the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm. No.660 Sqn. Of the Army Air Corps received the first Gazelles, attaining operational status in July 1974. By August 1974, 30 were in RAF service at CFS Tern Hill as trainers for helicopter pilots. The Royal Navy’s Gazelles entered service in December 1974 at Culdrose, with 705 naval Air Squadron providing flight training in preparation for the introduction of the Lynx. Army and Royal Marines Gazelles have seen service in the Falklands campaign, with several being lost to small arms fire. The Gazelles operated from the flight decks of Royal Navy ships, and were hastily fitted with 68mm SNEB rocket pods, additional armour plating flotation gear and folding blade mechanisms. Later in its career, the Gazelle also served in the liaison and reconnaissance role in Northern Ireland, the First Gulf War, Kosovo, Afghanistan. In 2016, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that the Army Air Corps would continue flying its Gazelle AH.1s till at least 2025.
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ZB627 (c/n 1914) is a Gazelle HT.3 procured by the Royal Air Force as a trainer. First flown on May 18th, 1982 and delivered on July 13th, it served primarily with 2FTS at RAF Shawbury, and later with 7 Squadron at RAF Odiham. Flown back to Shawbury in September 1997, it was placed in storage until it was purchased by London Helicopter Centres Ltd in June 2002, and placed on the UK sivil register as G-CBSK. Painted back in its original 2FTS colour scheme, the helicopter is now owned by Falcon Aviation, which operates it as part of the Gazelle Squadron, attending airshows all over the UK.
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1. French Army Gazelle. Note the Viviane optical turret above the cockpit, which enables the Gazelle to remain a potent weapon on any battlefield. 2. N901B is a civilian SA-341G Gazelle 3. G-CDNO is a former Army Air Corps Gazelle AH.1, serial XX432 4. G-CTFS (c/n1081) is a Gazelle HT.2, previously serialled XW857 with the Fleet Air Arm 5. G-PERT is an AS-130. This is Eurocopter’s latest development of the configuration originally pioneered by the Gazelle, with a single-engine, three-blade rotor, five seats and the distinctive finestron tail rotor.
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