The first prototype Gazelle made its maiden flight on 7 April 1967, it initially flying with a conventional tail rotor. However, this was replaced with the distinctive fenestron tail in early 1968 on the second prototype. Four Gazelle prototypes were flown, including one for British firm Westland Helicopters. On 13 May 1967, a Gazelle demonstrated its speed capabilities when two separate world speed records were broken on a closed course, achieving speeds of 307 km/h over 3 kilometres and 292 km/h over 100 kilometres. Early on, the Gazelle had attracted British interest, which would culminate in the issuing of a major joint development and production work share agreement between Aerospatiale and Westland. The deal, signed in February 1967, facilitated the licensed production in Britain of 292 Gazelles and 48 Pumas for the British armed forces; additionally, Westland received a 65% work share in the manufacturing of the Gazelle, becoming a joint partner for further refinements and upgrades of the type. While principally sold to military operators, a number of Gazelles for the civil market were also sold. As part of the Anglo-French helicopter agreement signed in February 1967, Sud Aviation gained a 30 per cent share of production work in the Westland Lynx while Westland Helicopters performed the remainder of the work share. It was intended that France would procure the Lynx for its Navy, along with a heavily-modified armed reconnaissance variant for the French Army. However, in October 1969, the French Army cancelled its requirement for the Lynx, thus development of the specialised army variant was terminated at an early stage. Products Fixed-wing Caravelle GY-80 Horizon Super-Caravelle Vautour Voltigeur Concorde (in partnership with the British Aircraft Corporation) Helicopters Alouette II Alouette III Super Frelon Puma Gazelle Lynx (in partnership with Westland Helicopters) References Citations Bibliography Field, Hugh. "Anglo-French rotary collaboration goes civil." Flight International, 8 February 1973. pp. 193–194. Gibbings, David. "The Evolution of the British Rotorcraft Industry." The Journal of Aeronautical History, September 2009. No. 2012/07. pp. 112–146. Green, William. The illustrated encyclopedia of the world's commercial aircraft. Crescent Books, 1978. . James, Derek N. Westland Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam, 1991, . McGowen, Stanley S. Helicopters: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO, 2005. . Stevens, James Hay. "Super Frelon: Western Europe's Most Powerful Helicopter". Flight International, 9 July 1964. pp. 55–59. Taylor, J.W.R. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976–77. London:Macdonald and Jane's, 1976. . External links