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Aérospatiale AS365 C
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AS365 N Dauphin II
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OO-NHU Airbus Helicopters AS365 N3 Dauphin II c/n 6665 - NHV 'SAR' - Den Helder Airport in Holland - 15 September 2012 Den Helder-de Kooy (EHKD)

The Airbus Helicopters AS365 N3 Dauphin II is a twin-engined medium-weight transport helicopter powered by a pair of 851 hp Arriel 2C turboshafts equipped with a single channel DECU (Digital Engine Control Unit) with manual reversion, mated to an uprated main transmission for better single engine performance Turbomeca Arriel C2 Turbine engines, accommodating up to 13 passengers and 2 crew. The twin-engine SA.365 was developed in 1973 by SNIAS (Société Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale) out of the single-engine SA.360 Dauphin. The SNIAS SA.365 prototype F-WVKE, a SA.360 fitted with 2 Turbomeca Arriel 1A Turboshafts, flew first on 24 January 1975. In 1977 production commenced with the SA.365-C, with deliveries starting in 1978. An improved version of the SA 365C Dauphin II, the SA.365N flew first on 31 March 1979. The SA365 N differs from the SA365C in having Arriel 1C turbine engines, a re-profiled fuselage, fully retractable undercarriage and increased fuel capacity in new under-floor tankage. Deliveries of the production model began in 1982. Deliveries of the AS.365 N2, equipped with two Turboméca Arriel 1C2 turboshafts, started in 1990. 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. A new Eurocopter designation was added: EC 155 B1, originally known as the AS 365 N4. The Dauphin II is in use in several military and civilian roles. The AS 565 Panther is the military version of the Dauphin. The AS 366 G1, powered by two Textron-Lycoming LTS.101-750B-2 turboshafts, is used by the United States Coast Guard under the designation HH-65A Dolphin. The Dauphin II is manufactured under licence in China as the Harbin Z-9 Haitung and in Brasil as the Helibras MH-1. Already over 1100 AS 365/366/565 and EC155 versions have been produced. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator with Wake Category used to classify aircraft types is AS65 for the AS365 N3 helicopters.

As a result of the merger between the Eurocopter parents Aérospatiale-Matra; DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) and Construcciones Aeronàuticas Sociedad Anonima (CASA) in July 2000, the Eurocopter group became a division of the new formed EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space company). Taking off into 2014, EADS was rebranded as "Airbus Group". Uniting all its activities under a single brand, its helicopter division Eurocopter was rebranded as Airbus Helicopters on 8 January 2014.

The 2003-built Eurocopter AS365 N3 s/n 6665 was test flown as F-WWOS. On 21 November 2003, the Dauphin II was registered OO-NHU in Belgium with Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen, Ostend. On 25 November, the aircraft was delivered in primer colours at Ostend via Troyes. The airframe was painted in the yellow NHV colours in the painthall of 'Bedrijfswagens de Groote' in Wingene. On 15 September 2012, Airbus Helicopters AS365 N3 OO-NHU was seen with SAR titles when used for sightseeing tours during Heldair Show Maritiem at Den Helder Airport.

page last updated: 17-01-2014
Copyright © Jack Wolbrink, Emmen, the Netherlands
 

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