Alouettes & Lamas

[Savoia]

F-GRRB


Mont Blanc Hélicoptères SA315B F-GRRB (cn.2475) NFI

[Savoia]

50th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Lama

The Lama first flew on 17th March 1969 with the maiden flight carried out by test pilot Roland Coffignot accompanied by engineer Gérard Boutin. This flight was performed in SA315A F-BPXS (001).


SA315A F-BPXS cn.001 (Photo: Sud Aviation Archives)


SA315A Lama F-BPXS (cn.001) as seen at La Grande-Motte in southern France (Photo from the Daniel Liron collection courtesy of Pierre Gillard)


SA315A Lama F-BPXS (cn.001) during its test flying

A combination of the airframe of an Alouette II with the dynamic components of the Alouette III, the Lama performed its first flight with Roland Coffignot and Gérard Boutin.

Until the development of the Ecureuil B3, the SA315 Lama was the king of mountain work, thanks to its amazing power to weight ratio.

A total of 447 Lamas were delivered, of which 86 are still in service. The Lama has accrued over 3,512,100 flight hours.

— Airbus

F-BPXS as seen in Switzerland in 1975 having been upgraded to a 315B (Photo by E. Devaud)

[Savoia]

Heliaction Lama in the Caucasus Mountains in March 2019

[Savoia]

OH-HWW


Heliwork SA15B OH-HWW (cn.2649) as seen in Keuruu, Finland on 27th July 2015 (Photo by Sebastian Viinikainen)

[Savoia]

Yes, it was remiss of us, we shall have to do something for the 65th anniversary instead! I wonder how many Alo III's will be flying (outside of India) then?

That's a lovely shot Elipix, c.1970. Great stuff!

[Helipixman]

It appears we have let the 60th Anniversary of the First flight of the Alouette III F-ZWVQ (28th February 1959) slip by.

Below is a photo of an Alouette III EI-ATO of Irish Helicopters which was previously G-AWXG in the UK


Photo from Helipixman Negative Collection

[Savoia]

I-NERY aka 'Henry'


HelOps SA315B I-NERY (cn.2437) as seen in Italia in February 2019

[Savoia]

RA-2165G


SA315B RA-2165G (cn.2505) as seen in the North Caucasus in January 2019


SA315B RA-2165G (cn.2505) as seen at Heliaction's base in Krai, Russia

[Savoia]

Nice shots Wilts! I've made some enquiries as to which serials these could be, but no responses yet.

[wiltshirespotter]

Alouette 3 HC-BKU a long way from home, seen stored in New Zealand in 2013

[wiltshirespotter]

A couple of photos I took at Marseiles January 1988, 4 Alouette 3 awaiting air freight to Zimbabwe, would dearly like to know which!

[Savoia]

Indeed, many of them just seem to keep going, and long may that continue!

Not heard anything about 2273, but will keep a look out.

[wiltshirespotter]

Old Alouettes never die!

I see SA318C msn 2273 has just been added to the FAA register as N16YY behind a trust company. Last I had on that was it being withdrawn back in 2004 as F-GDUM.

Anyone seen anything on it since 2004?

[Savoia]

RA-05701





SA316B Alouette III RA-05701 (cn.1227) as seen in the North Caucasus in December 2018

[Savoia]

N318DH


SA318 Alouette II N318DH as seen at Courchevel in January 2019 (Photo by Giles Paccalet)

[Savoia]

Grazie Elipix!

Hopefully Stefano will be able to assist re: ownership details.

[Helipixman]

New Alouettes on the Guernsey Register

2-LOUD c/n 2138 ex HA-WKZ

2-SOAR c/n 2204 ex HA-WKS

No information on owners available.

[Savoia]

F-ZBAL


Sécurité Civile SE3160 Alouette III F-ZBAL (cn.1036) as seen in 1979, possibly at Courchevel

Sécurité Civile heli ops

[Savoia]

C-FBMG


Hydro Quebec SA318C Alouette II C-FBMG (cn.2151) as seen during the winter of 1978

[Savoia]

HB-XND


Air Grischa SA315B HB-XND (cn.2624) as seen at Samedan in December 1991 (Photo by Markus Herzig)

[Savoia]

Ha ha, yes .. but I don't think its 'our' Steve, but perhaps he will know.

[Helipixman]

Somebody called Steve ?

[Savoia]

Nice one Elipix!

Any idea as to the owner?

[Helipixman]

2-STEV



2-STEV seen at RAF Odiham Open Day (photo by Wheelsnwings2007/Mike)

[Savoia]

Eli-Fly Lamas engaged in lifting work

[Savoia]

I think it 'may' be possible that this registration has been requested, perhaps even allocated, but that the registration process has (obviously) not yet been completed.

The 2-Reg does seem to be gaining popularity.

[Helipixman]

Just seen the latest updates for the Guernsey register and only new helicopter is 2-WESX a Westland Wessex HC.2 c/n WA513

No mention of 2-LOUD the plot thickens !

[Savoia]

Italy's I-ORLY Transferred to French Register

SA315B I-ORLY cn.2627 has been re-registered as F-HBTA.


SA315B I-ORLY (cn.2627) as seen in Ceresole Reale, Turin, on 1st May 2009 (P. Vione)

[Savoia]

Russian Lamas


SA315B RA-2165G (cn.2505) as seen in Beshtau, North Caucasus (ex HB-ZDG)


RA-2165G with RA-05746 in Beshtau, North Caucasus


SA315B RA-05746 (2368) as seen in Bezengi, Central Caucasus (ex HB-XPJ)

[Helipixman]

I stand corrected
thanks Jos