Alouettes & Lamas

[Savoia]

Very nice 500, great stuff!

There is no doubt in my mind (and I am sure in the minds of many) that the role of rescue is the 'highest calling' for any rotorcraft. How blessed we are that the subject of our interest can be used in such a wonderful way.

[500 Fan]

Here is the first of a six video series entitled "The Angels of Mont Blanc" featuring the Alouette III doing what it does best, rescuing people in the mountains, in this case AIII's from Securitie Civile and Gendarmerie based at Chamonix in the French Alps:

500 Fan.

[Adrian Batchelor]

Many thanks Sav, this is good news. Indeed, it is also nice to see that the work will remain in France, as so often support work can move to other countries - and we all know about that!

[Savoia]

Classic Alouette


German Army Alouette II's as seen in 1977 (Location and photographer unknown)

Does this mean that operators will have to stop flying them or can they go on until they need their next major overhaul strip down or will they just be able to fly them until spares are no longer available? Is it likely any other firm will pick up support for these, such as the Romanians who made the Artouste IIIB under licence?

Adrian, I have been in touch with Pierre (owner of alouettelama.com) who advises that part supplies for Alouettes have been taken over by Alouette Helicoptere of La Teste-de-Buch, in Aquitaine, southwestern France.

[Savoia]

Alouette II's Used For Drug Running

A drug running operation which employed two Alouette II helicopters has been 'busted' by Spain's Guardia Civil who have arrested of some twenty criminals.

In their apprehension of the traffickers, the Guardia Civil (using their own helicopter) intercepted and then gave chase to an Alouette II helicopter which was suspected of carrying drugs.


The Alouette II 'Flying Mule' which has been impounded by Spanish Authorities

The drug trafficking operation was exposed after a helicopter was reported flying at low level at night in Andalucia without any lights showing.

In their capture operation the Guardia Civil intercepted the drug-carrying helicopter as it entered Spanish air space from Morocco.

The pursuit ended when the Alouette II landed in Los Alcornocales national park in Cádiz province. There a Ukrainian pilot was arrested along with two others including a cache of canabis.

An additional Alouette II was found buried at a farm having previously been involved in an accident.

http://spanishnewstoday.com/helicopt...ect=&category=

http://www.expatica.com/es/news/coun...ng_574486.html

[Savoia]

Yes, it is sad indeed.

[500 Fan]

Another operator retires the Alouette III.

http://www.verticalmag.com/news/arti...-news-01-05-16

[Savoia]

Wucher Helicopter SA315B Training Flight in the Alps

[Savoia]

I will ask 'Pierre', the owner of alouettelama.com if he knows the answer to these questions!

[Adrian Batchelor]

This was posted on another site, but I thought it may be of interest. The last paragraph is obviously asking some questions:

In the recent Scramble magazine [No.439] there was a news story about the withdrawal of the last few Alouette III in Netherlands military service, apart from the obvious reasons of age for the withdrawal the news item also mentioned that Turbomeca had allegedly announced the end of support for the Artouste IIIB series turboshaft engines that power the Alouette III and Alouette II with the article stating this would be "forcing current operators to make tough decisions".

Does this mean that operators will have to stop flying them or can they go on until they need their next major overhaul strip down or will they just be able to fly them until spares are no longer available? Is it likely any other firm will pick up support for these, such as the Romanians who made the Artouste IIIB under licence?

.

[Savoia]

Indian Army Cheetah Makes Rooftop Rescue

[Savoia]

Great stuff Elipix! Nice to see you back.

[Helipixman]

Let's not forget about the Alouette III's in Malta which are still in use - well some of the fleet are, and some are stored.

The following were seen at the Malta Airshow 2015:







All photos taken by Helipixman.

[Savoia]

Couldn't agree with you more 500 Fan.

The number of operational Lamas in Italy is also reducing and which is terribly sad!

Regarding India, take a look at the article on the previous page about Hindustan's delivery of 'Cheetals' (Lamas) to Afghanistan and you'll read that they have re-engined the craft with the more powerful and fuel-efficient TM333.

For old time's sake:

IAC Alouette III's start and depart from Salthill, Galway

[500 Fan]

Nice video, Sav.

It is sad to see the Alouette III slowly slipping into retirement around the world. We certainly miss the sound of the Artouste here in Ireland.

I hope India will keep their AIII's in the air beyond 2020. If only she was fitted with a more fuel-efficient engine and Eurocopter would continue to support this great helicopter.

Sometimes a simple and robust Alouette is the only helicopter for the job!

500 Fan.

[Savoia]

HB-XOF Retirement - The Last Alpine Alouette III

On the previous page we covered the retirement and final flight of Air Zermatt’s SA315B Lama HB-XPJ, which made her last flight at the end of March this year.

On a similar theme this 30 minute video is a nice little summary of the final days of HB-XOF prior to her retirement from Air Glaciers on 18th June last year. There are some enjoyable clips in this video, so when you've got a few minutes spare, then take a peek.

Enjoy!

[Savoia]

SE-313B Alouette II F-GLPV (cn 1443) as seen at Gmunden, Austria on 11th September 2015 (Photo: Miloslav Storoska)

[Savoia]

Astazou IIA Hangar Start

[Savoia]

Steve, thank you so much for this info. Much appreciated.

[md600driver]

The above photo was taken in Murton, York in the UK. Both were owned by the late great Graham Snook, but both are now in Russia.

You are correct with the 316 and the yellow one is a Lama ID N49537:
- ex-US Dept of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1977-1981, she flew geophysical surveys for the US govt. We took out the back seats and mounted a rack of data acquisition electronics for radiometric and magnetic surveys across the US guest 67.137.63.70 on May/2014
- D-HFWZ, Valair AG at Hergiswil, Switzerland from Oct97
- HB-ZDG, Heli Rezia, Switzerland May05-Aug07
- N316DJ, Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc Trustee at Dereham Norfolk, UK from Aug10

[Savoia]

Was someone looking for an old Alouette II cab?


SE3130 Alouette II (ex-German Army) as seen in Kodrąb, Poland on 12th July 2015 (Photo: Adam Nogly)

[Savoia]

Steve mentioned before about having owned an Alouette II and III .. and wondering if these were the ones:



I believe the Alouette III is N9362 .. but does anyone know which Alouette II is in the hangar .. or is it even a Lama?

HA-WKY

This aircraft for advertised for sale last year:


SA318C Alouette II HA-WKY (cn 2068)


SA318C Al II HA-WKY (cn 2068) as seen at Cowes, Isle of Wight, on 25th June 2011 (Photo: John Amber)


SA318C Alouette II HA-WKY (cn 2068)

[Savoia]

I've posted this video before (although not on this thread) but its the kind of video one can watch more than once.

It features Eli-Fly's (then) newly imported F-OIOM performing a sling job in the Italian Alps.

Eli-Fly are based in Esine, which is just northeast of Lago d'Iseo (Lake Iseo) which in turn is to the northeast of Milano.

Once-upon-a-time, Eli-Fly used to have a considerable Lama fleet.

[Savoia]

SE313B Al II F-AZYQ (cn 1003) built in 1956 and seen at Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base (Camp La Horie) on 14th June 2014

[Savoia]

SE3130 Alouette II ZU-BVW (cn 1471) as seen at Durban's Virginia Airport on 12th June 2015 (Photo: Brian Spurr)

[Savoia]

First Alouette III


Sud Aviation SE3160 Alouette III F-ZWVQ (cn 001) piloted by the late great Jean Boulet, lands on the summit of Mont Blanc (15,770 ft) on 30th June 1960. The craft was fitted with a Turbomeca Artouste III. (Photo: Turbomeca Archives)


Sud Aviation SE3160 Alouette III F-ZWVQ (cn 001) in flight over France (Photo: Pierre Gillard Collection)

For another shot of "VQ" visit Pierre's website alouettelama.com

[Savoia]

HB-XPJ's Final Flight

Air Zermatt’s SA315B Lama, HB-XPJ, has flown her final flight. The flight occurred at the end of March.

The aircraft had reached her airframe TBO, and Air Zermatt announced that it was no longer viable to put her through overhaul. XPJ's work will now be performed by one of Air Zermatt's 'B3' Ecureuils.

HB-XPJ was manufactured by Sud Aviation, Marignane in 1973 and was thereafter delivered to Norway where she flew as LN-OSO. In 1977 she returned to France where she was registered as F-GAML flying with Air Affaires. In 1980 she was sent to Malaysia where she flew as 9M-SAB, and in 1985 she was sold to Switzerland. She initially served with Rhein Helikopter, and later with Hélicoptère Service who bought her in 1998. She finally joined Air Zermatt in November 2003.

During her career, HB-XPJ flew 14,037 hours and made 18,300 landings.


Air Zermatt's SA315B Lama HB-XPJ (cn 2368) performed her last flight in March 2015 (Photo: Air Zermatt)


HB-XPJ on her final flight (Photo: Air Zermatt)

Below: HB-XPJ as seen while with Hélicoptère Service

http://news.airzermatt.ch/newsticker.html

http://www.alouettelama.com/msn/a2-2301/A2-2368.html

[Savoia]

HB-XRL landing at Sion in January:

Ah .. the music of the inimitable Artouste IIIB!

[Savoia]

Air Glaciers SA315B HB-XEO as seen at Lauberhorn in Switzerland on 18th January 2015 (Photo: Alexander Wagner)

[Savoia]

SE313B Alouette II F-GDUE as seen at Courchevel on 16th January 2003 (Photo: Markus Herzig)