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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 Sud-Aviation banner. The first
of two prototypes, SE-3160 c/n 001 F-ZWVQ powered by one 550 hp Turboméca Artouste IIIB turboshaft,
was flown on 28 February 1959. Four pre-production machines followed the prototypes, and the first production
helicopter of this type, SE-3160 c/n 1001, was delivered as UB-6101 to Burmese Air Force on 25 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 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 Aérospatiale). 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. |
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In the eighties and nineties, Groep Lichte Vliegtuigen of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
used Hoogeveen airfield in the Netherlands as base for a week during the exercise
sluipvliegen during March and September. On 22 February 1990, Sud-Est SE.3160 Alouette III A-499 of the
Royal Netherlands Air Force 300 squadron, in the colours of the "Grasshoppers" demo team, was photographed
at Hoogeveen during this exercise. Alouette A-499 was owned by the Royal Netherlands Army, but
operated by the RNethAF. Alouette III c/n 1499 was assembled by Lichtwerk Hoogeveen and
entered service as A-499 with 298 squadron of Groep Lichte Vliegtuigen (GpLV) on
21 June 1968. Groep Lichte Vliegtuigen (GpLV) was in fact the Army
operating within the Royal Netherlands Air Force. In 1979, the aircraft
was transferred to 300 sqdn. Alouette III A-499 was withdrawn from use
on 18 March 1996. The helicopter was sold in the USA and registered
N499RA as an Aérospatiale SA.316B Alouette III on 11 May 1996. After the
Alouette III was exported to Venezuela, registration N499RA was
cancelled on 2 September 1997. |
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