A5 Sud Alouette III
In 1961 the Weapons Research Establishment of the Department of Supply raised a requirement for a high-performance utility helicopter suitable for a number of roles at the Woomera Rocket Range.
No 1 Air Trials Unit (1ATU) of the RAAF had been operating two Bristol Sycamore helicopters (A91-1 and A91-2) in support of WRE at Woomera since the 1950s, but with the withdrawal of A91-2 in 1960, several new types were considered as replacements. One type was the Bell UH-1B Iroquois, which had already been ordered by the RAAF, but on the grounds of cost and ready availability, the Alouette III was selected and three were ordered in October 1963.
The Alouette III first flew on 28 February 1959, following the smaller successful Alouette II. Made by Sud Aviation (which later became the Aerospatiale Helicopter Corporation), the SE3160-3 Alouette III entered production in 1961 and 1500 of this model were finally produced. The Alouette (Lark) had been by far the most successful European helicopter, owing a lot to the Turbomeca company, which was the first in the world to develop light turbine aero engines. The later Aerospatiale Ecureuil (Squirrel), also with a Turbomeca turboshaft, was to become even more popular.
The three Australian aircraft were shipped direct from Sud Aviation, Marseilles, France, to Adelaide and transported by road to Woomera in a knocked-down crated condition. The first two aircraft, A5-166 and A5-167, were received at Woomera on 7 February 1964, followed by the third, A5-165, on 19 February. The aircraft were assembled before being handed over to 1ATU on 10 April and the first test flight was made at Woomera on 16 April by Squadron Leader D.C. White in A5-167.
The RAAF Alouettes were powered by the 870 shp Artouste IIIB turboshaft, de-rated to 550 shp for the hot conditions of the Woomera desert. While in service with 1ATU, the duties included the recovery of vital parts of missiles fired at the Woomera Rocket Range, participation in trials programs and general transport around the range area. During service with the RAAF, A5-166 required repairs which necessitated its return to the Sud factory in Marseilles. The aircraft was shipped to France in June 1965 and was received back at 1ATU in May 1966.
On 12 April 1967 the aircraft were transferred from RAAF operation at 1ATU to the Department of Supply and, issued with the civilian registrations VH-UPN, VH-UPO and VK-UPP, the Alouettes were operated under contract to Shorts. After civil operation, they were eventually stored at Woomera and, after over fifteen years utilisation, each aircraft had only about 2600 hours flying time. The Department of Administrative Services invited tenders by 26 June 1980 for the disposal of two Otters (A100-390/ VH-UPL and A100-392/UPM) and the three Alouettes with associated spare parts. The Otters were sold to Canada at $61,592 each. Roberts Aircraft Inc of Casa Grande, Arizona, USA, bought the three Alouettes at between $118,000 and $132,000 each, the aircraft being struck off the Australian register on 19 August 1980.
TECHNICAL DATA: Sud Aviation Alouette III
DESCRIPTION:
General-purpose helicopter with accommodation for a pilot and six passengers.
POWER PLANT:
One 550 shp Turbomeca Artouste 111B turboshaft.
DIMENSIONS:
Diameter of main rotor 11.02 m (36 ft 1 in); length 10.03 m (32 ft 10 in); height 3 m (9 ft 10 in).
WEIGHTS:
Empty 1143 kg (2520 lb); loaded 2100kg (4630 lb); fuel capacity 560 litres.
PERFORMANCE:
Max speed 210 km/h (113 kt); cruise speed 185 km/h (100 kt); range with max payload 480km (260 nm); max endurance 2 hours; ceiling 14,450 ft (4404 m).
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