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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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The SAR (Search and Rescue)
flight of the Royal Netherlands Air Force was established in 1959 as
part of the 298sqdn and operated 8 Alouette II for their SAR and TAR
tasks. In 1966, the Alouette II was replaced by 5 Alouette III
helicopters. The SAR flight was based at Ypenburg, with one of the
helicopters stationed at Terschelling. On 23 September 1968, the SAR
flight moved to Soesterberg and the TAR task was replaced by a
photography task. On 30 June 1977, the SAR-flight moved to Leeuwarden
and the photography task was dropped. Alouette III H-81 "Fred" was
delivered to the SAR flight on 8 July 1966. After the remaining 4
Alouette III helicopters of the SAR Flight of the Royal Netherlands Air
Force were replaced in 1994 by three Agusta Bell AB-412SP, the H-81 was withdrawn
from use on 18 March 1994. Alouette III H-81 was sold to the Pakistan Navy "138" on 9 August 1994.
The SAR-flight Alouette III H-81 was photographed at Leeuwarden Air Base in the
Netherlands 26 April 1990. |
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