A22 Aerospatiale Squirrel
RAAF and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) basic helicopter training had been carried out by the RAAF at Fairbairn on the UH-1B Iroquois since 1962. Twenty years later, these early model 'Hueys' were overdue for replacement. In August 1982, the Minister for Defence announced a $23 million order for 18 Squirrels: twelve to replace UH-1Bs in No 5 Squadron for training, and six for the RAN as a utility and survey helicopter.
The Ecureuil, or Squirrel, is built by Societe Nationale Industrille Aerospatiale and first flew at Marignane, France, on 27 June 1974. This prototype had a Lycoming LTS101 turbine engine which, as the AS350D, became the basic Squirrel model for the US market. The model selected for the Australian forces was the AS350B, powered by the French Turbomeca Arriel turboshaft. As a small five-seat utility helicopter, the Squirrel became quite popular worldwide with civil operators and, at the time of the RAAF order in 1982, over 700 Squirrels were in service in 23 countries. In October 1983, the Squirrel order was increased by a further six aircraft to carry out search and rescue (SAR) duties at Williamtown, Pearce and Darwin.
The first Australian AS350B was a RAN machine serialled N22-013 which was handed over in France on 30 November 1983. The first two RAAF aircraft, A22-001 and A22-002, followed this on 28 February 1984. The first 12 RAAF Squirrels became A22-001 to A22-012 and the six naval aircraft became N22-013 to N22-018. The final RAAF batch was A22-19 to A22-024.
In May 1984, the first five RAAF and RAN aircraft were flown from France to RAAF Fairbairn aboard a No 33 Squadron Boeing 707. These aircraft were handed over at a ceremony at Fairbairn on 22 May. A further four followed by No 33 Squadron 707, then six by sea, with the remaining nine airlifted in late 1984. In January 1985, the first two SAR Squirrels deployed to RAAF Williamtown. In this role the Squirrel performed poorly with its single engine, limited one-pilot operation, short range and difficulty with winch operation. In 1986 tenders were invited for SAR helicopter services, and the National Safety Council of Australia won the contract with their twin-engined Bell 212s.
On 1 January 1990, control of No 5 Squadron's Squirrels passed to the ADF Helicopter School (ADFHS).
TECHNICAL DATA: Aerospatiale AS350B Squirrel
DESCRIPTION:
Two-crew light utility helicopter.
POWER PLANT:
One 641 hp Turbomeca Arriel turboshaft.
DIMENSIONS:
Diameter of main rotor 10.69 m (35 ft 1 in); Fuselage length 10.90 m (35 ft 9 in); height 3.14 m (10 ft 4 in).
WEIGHTS:
Empty 1065 kg (2348 lb); loaded 2100 kg (4630 lb).
PERFORMANCE:
Max speed 222 km/h (120 kt); cruising speed 185 km/h (100 kt); range 445 km (240 nm); rate of climb 475 m (1555 ft)/min; ceiling 6678 ft (2950 m).
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