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P-352 Airbus Helicopters AS550 C2 Fennec c/n 2352 - Royal Danish Air Force Esk 724 - Groningen Airport Eelde in Holland - 8 July 2011 Royal Danish Air Force

Airbus Helicopters AS550 C2 Fennec is a lightweight, multipurpose military helicopter based on the AS350 B2 Ecureuil. Eurocopter AS350 B2 itself is a single-engined utility helicopter that can accommodate up to 7 passengers. Development of the AS350 series started in the early 70s under the Aérospatiale banner. The first flight of an AvcoLycoming LTS101-powered machine took place on 27 June 1994. The second prototype was fitted with an Arriel 1A and took to the air on 14 February 1975. Certification (with a Turboméca Arriel 1B turboshaft powerplant) was achieved in October 1977. The single-engined AS 350B2, powered with a Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine was certified in April 1989.

The military Eurocopter AS550 construction is based on a reinforced high-strength glass fibre and aramid airframe. The helicopter is fitted with sliding doors on each sider. The baggage compartment is installed behind the main cabin and is accessed via a door on the starboard side. A cargo sling, rated at 1,160kg, and a 204kg hoist can be used. Danish Army AS550C2 helicopters are fitted with a wire cutter and armed with the Systems & Electronics HeliTOW sighting system and TOW anti-tank missiles. The armed versions of the AS550 can be fitted with coaxial weapons, rockets, torpedoes and various other munitions.

The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aerospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. 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.

In 1987, the Danish Government ordered twelve Aérospatiale AS550 C2 Fennec helicopters for delivery in 1990. The first Fennec destined for Denmark, AS550 C2 s/n 2090, flew first in Marignane as F-ZWCZ on 13 January 1989. All twelve AS5550 C2 helicopters were delivered to Hærens Flyvetjeneste (Danish Army) at Vandel AB between August 1990 and February 1991. In 2003, Flyvestation Vandel closed and both helicopter units operated at that time by Hærens Flyvetjeneste moved to Karup AB, and were combined into Eskadrille 724 Panservaerns Helikopter Kompani that was operated further under Royal Danish Air Force control.
The 1990-built Aérospatiale AS5550 C2 s/n 2352 was delivered as P-352 to Hærens Flyvetjeneste (Danish Army) in February 1991. In 2003, Fennec P-352 was transferred to Eskadrille 724 of the Royal Danish Air Force. The operating base of Esk 724 is Flyvestation Karup. On 8 July 2011, AS550 C2 Fennec P-339 and P-352 were seen at Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands on their way home from Koksijde in Belgium to Flyvestation Skydstrup in Denmark. When seen at Eelde, Fennec P-352 was painted in the old Hæren colours, while P-339 was painted in green RDanAF colours.

page last updated: 29-01-2014
Photo Copyright © Jack Poelstra, the Netherlands
 

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