History

The prototype of the Alouette II first took to the skies on the 12th of March 1955. A simple, cheap to produce and robust aircraft, it had exceptional performances and rapidly took over several world records for range and especially altitude of helicopters. This was made possible by the use of a then new gas turbine engine that allowed high performance at a low engine weight.

In 1961, a new version with the more powerfull Astazou II-turbine (390 kW) was introduced, improving the speed and payload of the helicopter. A navalised version, used by the French Navy from 1955 to 1997, was developed by replacing the skids with wheels (and, in some cases, floats; these, however, proved impractical).

Used for liaison duties, training and light transport or transport of up to 4 passengers (plus the pilot), the Alouette was another very popular French helicopter design, with some 1300 aircraft built and used in by the armies or air forces of 46 countries.

A derivative, of the Alouette II, the SA315 Lama which first fl ew in 1969, was developed for use by the Indian Air Force in the Himalaya and holds the absolute altitude record for helicopters (12.442m) unbeaten for 40 years!

The French military replaced its Alouette II with Ecureuil helicopters. Nevertheless, a great number of Alouette IIs remain in service with civil and military operators around the world.

Characteristics

Diameter	10,2 m
Length	9,7 m
Height	2,75 m
Empty weight	895 kg
Maximum take off weight	1 600 kg
Payload	4 passengers
Speed	185 km/h
Range	300 km
Crew	1
Engine	1 Turbomeca Artouste IIC6

 

Our aircraft

Our Alouette II joined our collection in October 2008. We brought it back from Marcoussis, in Paris region.

The displayed Alouette II is a “composite aircraft”, using parts of different Alouette IIs. We used it as a spare part source during the restoration of the naval version of the Alouette II that you can see in Aeroscopia.

The restauration of this Alouette II has started in 2015, after the restauration of our Djinn.