When did the different Gazelle variants enter service?

[xvii-Dietrich]

I am in the process of building some missions for the Gazelle SA342. However, I'm having trouble trying to pin down the dates in which the different variants entered service (this is important, because I want to select other appropriate-era units to include in the scenarios). I have checked the DCS SA342 manuals and guides, and have searched these forums, but did not find anything. There is a lot of online material, but it seems rather confused (SA341, 342, 342 J/K/L, etc.) and is complicated by when the weapons entered service (HOT2 vs HOT3 ) and then when they entered service on the Gazelle itself. My best guesses, therefore are:

 

• SA342 L =  1981  (based on use during Lebanese conflict)  ??
• SA342 Mistral =  1989 (based on availability of the Mistral missile) ??
• SA342 M =  1998  (based on first use of the HOT3)  ??
• SA342 Minigun =  2016  (from article, see refs) ??

 

As the number of question marks indicate, I am not very confident in any of the dates that I've found. Does anyone know if these are correct (or even close)? If you have any other information, dates or references, please let us know. Thanks!

 

References I've used:

SA342 Gazelle SA341 light multi-role combat helicopter aircraft technical data

https://www.air-cosmos.com/article/la-m134-minigun-qualifie-sur-les-gazelle-du-cos-12806

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HOT_(missile)
https://www.army-technology.com/projects/mistral-missile/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistral_(missile)

[Ramsay]

23 hours ago, xvii-Dietrich said:

• SA342 L =  1981  (based on use during Lebanese conflict)  ??

The TELSON 8 Inductive Rocket System fitted to our SA342 L is said to be "Combat Proven" since 2009 (Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, etc.) and have been in service for 10 years - which puts it in service no sooner than 1999 (more likely early 2000's as the literature looks to date from ~2012). 

 

There are pictures of Gazelles fitted with a traditional SNEB rocket pod but it's not clear which Gazelle variant it was and/or the date. It certainly wasn't our Gazelle with it's digital pod.

 

The 20mm GAIT M621 Canon is harder to date as the canon dates from 1973 with a possible service date in the late 70's. I couldn't find a service date for the helicopter mount but a naval variant entered service in 1988.

 

Obviously there nothing stopping players/mission designers using the DCS SA342 L as a place holder/substitute in earlier conflicts.

Edited March 3, 2021 by Ramsay

[Fri13]

Would be again nice to have developers list the service years of each variant in the store page and manual.

[xvii-Dietrich]

8 hours ago, Ramsay said:

There are pictures of Gazelles fitted with a traditional SNEB rocket pod but it's not clear which Gazelle variant it was and/or the date. It certainly wasn't our Gazelle with it's digital pod.

 

Good points. Thanks.

 

I've followed up a few of the leads you suggest and now am having more doubts about the SA342 L helicopters used. These seem to be Syrian, and were used in an anti-tank role during the Lebannon War. But I am assuming these are HOT-1 (not HOT-3).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_Lebanon_War
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA342#Lebanon

 

Looking at the Falklands War, there were British Gazelles with rocket pods, but photos indicate that they are the earlier version of the SNEB that you mentioned. No sign of the cannon though.
http://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/WilkinsonNeil/8917.htm
https://656squadron.org/history/falkland-islands/
https://i.imgur.com/o1dexo5.jpg

 

What would be really good would be to find out what the introduction of the SA 342 into French service. When did they get the variants and the weapons-types, as that would be a definitive early-date for the different options.

 

 

 

8 hours ago, Ramsay said:

Obviously there nothing stopping players/mission designers using the DCS SA342 L as a place holder/substitute in earlier conflicts.

 

I was originally looking for something early, so still Cold-War-era (pre-1989). I'm guessing that the SA342 L is the only option here.

 

Even with later weapons, it is sometimes possible to make them more historical, by removing certain weapon options (e.g. the cannon, in order to make a Falklands stand-in). Or, if there were HOT-2, but not HOT-3 missiles, then restricting the latter.

 

 

 

8 hours ago, Fri13 said:

Would be again nice to have developers list the service years of each variant in the store page and manual.

 

Yes. That would definitely help. Not just for the SA342, but also for upcoming modules like the OH-58, etc.. (which now makes me wonder about the Bo105 and Mi-24)

 

[Fri13]

53 minutes ago, xvii-Dietrich said:

Yes. That would definitely help. Not just for the SA342, but also for upcoming modules like the OH-58, etc.. (which now makes me wonder about the Bo105 and Mi-24)

 

ED made a claim that modules has proper information in the store pages, didn't care to answer to question with links to their store pages that why there is no such information available....

So I do not expect to see those things. 

 

We need more information as much as possible for the internal encyclopedia and at least basic information to the store page. So that we can read about the short service history with correct information like when aircraft was taken in service first time and when it was taken out of service - as the module variant/version it is presented in DCS.

 

So example we would get Gazelle to have year 2009 - 2019 or something like that if it would have been in service those periods as such variant. 

No more BS about "It models this one specific year" as everyone knows that no aircraft is upgraded or built to be used in service only single year, but it actually covers years, decade or even two as such state.