Announcement

**Savoia** · 4th July 2015, 21:37

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** · 5th July 2015, 21:29

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

**Savoia** · 6th July 2015, 08:32

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** · 19th July 2015, 07:36

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** · 23rd July 2015, 17:50

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** · 26th July 2015, 09:06

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** · 7th August 2015, 08:32

Astazou IIA Hangar Start

**Savoia** · 26th September 2015, 19:44

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

**Savoia** · 25th October 2015, 22:32

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!

**500 Fan** · 31st October 2015, 03:04

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** · 1st November 2015, 13:49

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

**Helipixman** · 1st November 2015, 17:59

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** · 15th December 2015, 07:37

Indian Army Cheetah Makes Rooftop Rescue

**Adrian Batchelor** · 17th December 2015, 19:32

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** · 20th December 2015, 18:55

Wucher Helicopter SA315B Training Flight in the Alps

**500 Fan** · 7th January 2016, 01:34

Another operator retires the Alouette III.

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

**Savoia** · 18th January 2016, 11:44

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** · 21st January 2016, 09:59

Classic Alouette

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

Originally posted by Adrian Batchelor View Post

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.

**500 Fan** · 25th January 2016, 00:42

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.

**500 Fan** · 26th January 2016, 00:14

I'm not sure if this book has been mentioned previously but it is worth a look.

http://librairie-hussard.com/catalog...-p-101571.html

It features the Alouette III in French service, (Air Force, Army and Navy) as well as with the Securitie Civile and Gendarmerie. All other military operators also feature with plenty of colour photos, colour side views as well as a few technical drawings, a set of 1/48th scale plans and a production list. The text is in French and an English version seems unlikely. It is not cheap but it is a fine study of the great little Alouette III. The same publisher has also released a fine study of the Super Frelon in the past that is worth acquiring.

500 Fan.

**Savoia** · 30th January 2016, 21:51

Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Netherlands Air Force)
Alo III Departing Teuge Airport in Netherlands

And seeing as we just showcased a Gaz flying low level Stateside on Shrieking Gazelles ..

There's some 'hot dogging' in this clip so, for newbie drivers if you happen to see this, please don't get any ideas lest your flying instructor greets you with a smart clip round the back of your head! Perhaps it was this guy's last day flying or something and he felt the need to dispense with all reason. Who knows!

**Savoia** · 24th March 2016, 18:52

SE3130 Alouette II ZU-TCB as seen at Pretoria's Wonderboom Airport on 5th March 2016 (Photo: Justin Kennerley)

**Savoia** · 2nd April 2016, 16:22

Alouette II HA-LFZ: Arrival, Shut-Down and
Departure — Dráva Heliport, Budapest

Look out for the water bus in the background!

**Savoia** · 4th April 2016, 19:37

Polizei Nordrhein-Westfalen Alouette II as seen in 1977

**Savoia** · 15th April 2016, 18:32

Swedish Air Force Hkp2 Alouette II SE3130 02407-91 (cn 1291) as seen at Såtenäs Air Base, Lidköping in August 1975
(Photo: Marinus Tabak)

**Savoia** · 15th May 2016, 19:35

G-AWAP

On the old Nostalgia Thread some may recall a number of posts featuring G-AWAP and the late great John Crewdson. As photos of this craft are rare I remember asking at the time whether anyone had any additional shots of her. Well, just recently I received an email from Tony Gray who just happened to have some photos.

Regarding these shots Tony says:

The photos I took of G-AWAP were c. 1978/79. I am unsure of the location but they were taken when inspection power lines in SE England, probably these were at a substation near Elstree, Herts or Bolney in East Sussex.

I recall we had to wear flying suits as it was winter and the heating was off as this interfered with the infra-red camera used to detect 'hot spots' in the conductor cable. I also remember wearing 'bone domes' as the aircraft operated outside its recommended envelope. To explain: normally height and/or speed allows an autorotation landing but as we surveyed just above tower (pylon) height and at 30/40 knots, engine failure would mean a very heavy landing but potentially survivable. The headgear reduced the risk of head injury in such circumstances.

Helicopter Hire's SA318B Alouette II G-AWAP (cn 1966) c. 1978-79 during powerline survey operations. All photos by Tony Gray

**Savoia** · 19th May 2016, 18:26

HB-XYB

SE3130 Alouette II HB-XYB (cn 1915)

HB-XYB landing in Eptingen, Switzerland

**Savoia** · 25th May 2016, 08:07

HA-PPC

Nigel's SE313B Alouette II HA-PPC (cn 1500) as seen near Garton on the Wolds in May 2016

Seen wearing her former Army Air Corps colours and XP967 registration.

**Savoia** · 6th June 2016, 19:40

Alouette II For Sale USD 150, 000

Model: SE313B
Year of Manufacture: 1961
Serial No. 1520
Registration: UR-KRL
TT: 7,258
Aircraft Location: Zhitomir (Smokovka) Ukraine
Engine Type: Artouste II C6
Engine TT: 4,754
Engine TBO: 248

http://www.planecheck.com/index.asp?...id=31077&cor=y

**Savoia** · 13th June 2016, 08:17

Gendarmerie Royale Marocaine

Gendarmerie Royale Marocaine SE3130 Alouette II CN-AZE as seen at Marrakesh's Menara Airport on 30th April 2016
(Photo: Soos Jozsef)

Announcement

Alouettes & Lamas

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