SNCASE SE-313 Alouette II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SNCASE SE-313 Alouette II. |
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| Alouette II. | |
| Role | Helicopter |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | SNCASE. |
| First flight | March 12th 1955 |
| Introduction | 1956 |
| Status | Active |
| Primary user | French Army |
| Number built | 1305 |
The SNCASE SE-313 Alouette II (which means Lark in French) is a famous French helicopter. It was built by a company called SNCASE, and later by Aérospatiale. This helicopter was made between 1956 and 1975.
The Alouette II was very special for its time. It was the first helicopter in the world to use a powerful gas turbine as its engine. This type of engine is much stronger and more efficient than older piston engines.
What Made It Special?
The Alouette II was a big step forward in helicopter design. Its gas turbine engine gave it more power and made it easier to fly. This allowed it to perform many different jobs.
Many Uses
This helicopter was used for many tasks around the world. The French Army was a main user, but other countries also flew it. It was used for things like:
- Carrying people and supplies
- Rescue missions
- Training pilots
- Observing from the air
Family of Helicopters
The Alouette II was so successful that it became the base for other important helicopters. Two main versions were developed from its design:
- The SA-315 Lama
- The SA-316 Alouette III
These newer helicopters kept many good features of the Alouette II. They also added improvements for different needs.
Quick Facts
- First Flight: The Alouette II first flew on March 12th, 1955.
- Introduced: It started being used in 1956.
- Number Built: Over 1,300 Alouette II helicopters were made.
- Status: Many are still active today, showing how well they were built.
The Alouette II is an important part of helicopter history. It showed the world how useful and powerful turbine-powered helicopters could be.
