Sud Aviation SA-316 Alouette III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sud Aviation SA-316 Alouette III |
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| Alouette III of the French Sécurité Civile. | |
| Role | Helicopter |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Sud Aviation. |
| First flight | february 1959 |
| Introduction | 1961 |
| Status | Active |
| Primary user | French Army |
| Number built | 1453 |
The Sud Aviation SA-316 Alouette III is a French helicopter that was built for many years. It was made by a company called Sud Aviation and later by Aérospatiale. This helicopter is a newer version of an older one called the Alouette II. The Alouette III was used by both regular people and the military for different jobs, like carrying things, helping in emergencies, and sometimes even for fighting.
Meet the Alouette III Helicopter
The Alouette III is a famous helicopter from France. It was first flown in February 1959 and started being used in 1961. Over many years, 1,453 of these helicopters were built. They were made until 1985.
What Jobs Did It Do?
The Alouette III was a very useful helicopter because it could do many different jobs.
- Light transport: It could carry people or small amounts of cargo from one place to another. This was helpful for moving supplies or teams quickly.
- Liaison duties: This means it could connect different groups or places. For example, it might fly messages or important people between military bases.
- Search and rescue: The Alouette III was often used to find people who were lost or in trouble. It could help rescue them from mountains, forests, or even the sea.
- Air attack: Sometimes, these helicopters were fitted with weapons. This allowed them to be used in combat situations, like protecting ground troops.
Who Used the Alouette III?
Many countries and groups around the world used the Alouette III.
- The Indian Air Force was one of the biggest users. They used it for many different tasks.
- In France, the French Gendarmerie (a police force) and the Sécurité Civile (a civil defense group) used them. The Sécurité Civile often used them for rescue missions.
- The Ireland air force also used some of these helicopters.
The Alouette III was a reliable and versatile helicopter. It served for many years in various roles, showing how adaptable it was for both military and civilian needs.
