Advice on removal of alternator TX5 V6

[wesso]

Hi Guys,
I am a complete newbie in here so I hope I'm in the right area to be asking this question...
I have a FORD Telstar TX/5 AX2 (1993 build) and I need to replace the alternator as the old one took up smoking a couple of days ago.
I think my question is a pretty simple one as I want to know if there is any easy way to remove the alternator so that I can either have it repaired or replaced.

I have looked at it and from what I can see there only seems to be one way to get it out but I would need to remove the air-conditioner compressor before I can drop the alternator down through the bottom of the engine compartment.:

I am hoping that there might be a tricky but easier way of removing it, but in the case that I have to drop the compressor will I also need to disconnect the compressor from the circuit thus allowing the gas to escape? I am hoping that I don't have to resort to allowing the gas to escape just so that I an replace the alternator.

Any advice on how to remove the alternator will be very much appreciated.:1syellow1

Thanks in advance...

Cheers

Wayne