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The Eurocopter SE-319B 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 SA.319B was a direct development of the SA.316B,
powered with a 870 hp Turboméca Artouste IIIB turboshaft. Over the years, the
Alouette III was developed further 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 March 1973, the 1972-built SNIAS SA.319B Alouette III c/n 1959 was registered D-HAAK in Germany with Rettungsflugwacht F.Stetzler at
Stuttgart-Echterdingen. SA.319B D-HAAK was the first air ambulance helicopter operated by DRF. The helicopter was transferred to Friederich
Stetzler / LTD - Luft-Transport-Dienst GmbH & Co. On 22 March 1978, Aeropatiale SA319B Alouette III D-HAAK was seen with LD Helicopters
Offshore titles when leaving Flugplatz Emden for an offshore flight. LD Helicopters was a German company, that was active for a while in the offshore.
Early 1984, registration D-HAAK was cancelled and the helicopter was registered HB-XOO in Switzerland with BOHAG on 19 March 1984.
Since, the Alouette III is used by a number of operators, mainly as an Air Ambulance. Today the HB-XOO is still active in
Switzerland and was registered with RUAG Aerospace / Intracom General Machinery on 31 May 2006. |
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