The Eurocopter SE-3160 Alouette III is a single-engined utility helicopter that can accommodate up to 7 passengers. The
Alouette III was derived from the Alouette II featuring a more powerful turboshaft and enlarged cabin. Development
of the SE-3160 Alouette III started in the late 50s under the Sud-Aviation banner. The first
of two prototypes of the Alouette III, the F-ZWVQ powered by one 550 hp Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft,
was flown on 28 February 1959. Four pre-production machines followed the prototypes, and the first production
helicopter of this type flew in July 1961. In the military role, the Alouette III was used either to transport
six fully equipped troops or as an assault helicopter. Certification was achieved on 12 December 1961. The initial
SE-3160 Alouette III remained in production until 1969, when it was replaced by the improved SA-316B Alouette III.
The Alouette III was developed over the years and remained in production until the 1985. Over 1450 helicopters of the
different versions of the Alouette III were built, including production under licence in India, the Netherlands,
Pakistan, Romania and Switzerland. On 1 January 1970, Sud-Aviation was merged with a number of other French aerospace
companies to form the SNIAS (Société Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale). From 1984, SNIAS operated under the name of
Aérospatiale. The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aerospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form
the Eurocopter Group.
On 19 September 1997, Sud-Est SE.3160 Alouette III A-292 of the Royal
Netherlands Air Force 300 squadron visited the Heli-Holland heliport
near Emmen, the Netherlands. The A-292 was owned by the Royal
Netherlands Army, but operated by the RNethAF. On 5 July 1965, the
Alouette III was delivered to the 299 squadron of the Groep Lichte
Vliegtuigen (GpLV), in fact the Army operating within the Royal
Netherlands Air Force. In 1979, the Alouette III was transferred to the
300 sqdn. In November 2004, the SE.3160 Alouette III was modified by RUAG in
Alpnach, Switzerland, to the more powerful SA.316B and received a
blue colour scheme. The SA.316B A-292 is mainly used for VIP-transport and
the Royal Flights and was until 2008 operated by the Alouette Flight at Soesterberg. On 27 August
2008, the remaining four Alouettes III moved to Gilze Rijen Air Base. At
Gilze Rijen they are operated by 300sqdn, part of the Defense Helicopter
Command.
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