Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma Facts for Kids

The Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma is a transport helicopter that was designed and built in France. The design was first created by Sud Aviation, and later by Aérospatiale. It was also built by Westland Helicopter in the United Kingdom because of an agreement between the two countries. The Puma helicopter first flew in April 1965. It is mostly used by the Armée de l'Air, the Royal Air Force, and other air forces around the world. It is also used by civilian groups.

What is the SA-330 Puma?
Who Uses the SA-330 Puma?
Different Types of SA-330 Puma Helicopters
Images for kids
See also

What is the SA-330 Puma?

The Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma is a medium-sized helicopter. It is about 59.6 feet (18.15 meters) long. Its main rotor, which is the large spinning part on top, has a diameter of about 49.2 feet (15.00 meters). The helicopter stands about 16.10 feet (5.14 meters) tall.

When empty, it weighs about 7,795 pounds (3,536 kg). When fully loaded, it can weigh up to 15,532 pounds (7,000 kg). The Puma is powered by two Turbomeca Turmo engines. These engines turn a helicopter rotor that has four blades.

The inside of the helicopter is designed to carry people or cargo. In its military version, it can carry sixteen to twenty armed soldiers. For civilian use, it can carry fourteen to sixteen passengers. The cockpit has two seats, side by side, for the pilots. A mechanic also sits in the back. This person can operate a mechanical winch and sometimes a removable machine gun.

Who Uses the SA-330 Puma?

Many countries have used or still use the military version of the Puma helicopter. Here are some of them, as of early 2013:

Different Types of SA-330 Puma Helicopters

Most Puma helicopters were built by Aérospatiale in France and by Westland in the UK. However, some were also made in other countries under special agreements. These countries include Indonesia, Romania, and South Africa. These different versions are called "variants."

Puma Helicopters Built in France

Several versions of the Puma were built in France. Some examples include:

SA-330A: This was the very first version, known as the prototype.
SA-330B, SA-330Ba, SA-330C, SA-330E, SA-330F, SA-330G, SA-330H, SA-330J, SA-330L, SA-330S.
SA-330Z: This was an experimental version, meaning it was used for testing new ideas.

Puma Helicopters Built in the UK

In the United Kingdom, Westland only built military versions of the Puma. These are known as:

Puma HC Mk-1
Puma HC Mk-2

Puma Helicopters Built in Indonesia

Indonesia built its own version of the Puma called the NAS-330J. These were made by a local aircraft company called IPTN. They built them for both civilian and military use.

Puma Helicopters Built in Romania

Romania also built its own Puma helicopters, known as IAR-330 and IAR-330 SOCAT. These were made by a local aircraft company called IAR. They were used by both civilians and the military. The IAR-330 SOCAT is special because it is an attack and transport helicopter, similar to the Soviet Mi-24 Hind helicopter.

Puma Helicopters Built in South Africa

South Africa built its own version of the Puma called the Oryx. These were made by a local aircraft company called Atlas Aircraft Corporation. They were used for both civilian and military purposes.

The SA-330 Puma also led to the creation of a much-changed helicopter called the AS-332 Super Puma.

Images for kids

French army SA-330B Puma
RAF Puma.
Romanian Puma.
South African Puma.
Philippines Puma.
Spanish civilian waterbomber Puma.
Civilian Italian SA-330 Puma.
German Puma.
French SA-330 Puma in the desert of Iraq in 1990.
Spanish Air Force SA 300L Puma, 2008
South African Air Force Puma, 2011
Upgraded British Puma HC2 in 2014
British Puma helicopters during an exercise in 2020.
Portuguese Air Force Puma during a Space Shuttle recovery exercise at Lajes Air Base, Azores in 2004
French Army Puma at RIAT 2010
A French Army Aérospatiale Puma
RAF Puma HC1 at Royal International Air Tattoo 2009
An Aérospatiale Puma of the Spanish Air Force
A contracted Puma resupplies the USS Benfold for the US Navy Sealift Command
A SA 330 Puma formerly used by Germany's Bundespolizei