The best chance the IRA had of shooting the Gazelle down was when we were climbing up out of Patrol Bases like Bessbrook Mill. Any of the woods or wooded hedgerows could conceal a sniper. Once at altitude though, the threat diminished rapidly and the Gazelle became the all-seeing eye. Shoulder to shoulder with the pilot on your right, a TV monitor and its controls in your lap, there isn't much room left in a Northern Ireland Gazelle for the commander.