Nederlandse Modelbouw en Luchtvaartsite

In 1965 the Group Light aircraft  (Groep Lichte Vliegtuigen = GPLV) of the Netherlands Army was equipped with the Sud-Aviation SA-3160 Alouette III.
This helicopter replaced the old Hiller UH-23, the Alouette II and some of the Piper Cubs.
The aircraft were property of the Army, but maintenance and flying personnel was from the Netherlands air force.

The first series of fifty aircraft was ordered directly at Sud-Aviation.
The first two aircraft, serialled A-208 and A-209 arrived August 31, 1964 at air base Soesterberg. December 1965 all aircraft were delivered.
A second series of 27 aircraft was built by the firm “Lichtwerk” at Hoogeveen, the Netherlands. These aircraft were built and delivered between October 1967 and July 1969. A-451 was the first Dutch built Alouette.

The Alouette was detached with the squadrons 298, 299 and 300 at air base Deelen and Soesterberg. Some were kept in storage for the mobilizable squadrons 301 and 302.

Alouette II GPLV (Group Light Aircraft)

Alouette III, serial A-275 in an early paint scheme with white serials.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Medevac per Alouette III.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Sud Aviation SE 3160 Alouette III, A-529. The jet engine and gearbox for rotor are clearly visible.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

An Alouette III, serial A-275, with badge ''ALIII 1964-2004'' somewhere above the Netherlands.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Alouette III, serial A-542 showing the last camflage scheme.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Alouette III at airshow Lelystad May 1988.

Alouette III A-298 with special markings because of 25 years 298 squadron, at the Open Day Netherlans Airforce, September 1989 at air base Volkel.

Alouette A-247 with "40 years Alouette III" markings, photographed at the Opend Day Netherlands Air Force, June 2004 at air base Volkel.

Alouette III SAR flight

In 1966 the seven remaining Alouette II''s were exchanged for the five Alouette III''s for SAR purpose. The first one was delivered in February 1966 and the last one in July 8, 1967.

Initially the aircraft had no floating system mounted. There were some experiments, however. Autumn 1967 H-67 was equipped with experimental floats and made with these floats a landing at sea. The floats proofed to be to heavy and also decreased the speed of the Alouette.

In 1969 a emergency float system was tested on H-75. This system consisted of two containers with inflatable floats. Despite the disadvantage of the cabin catching much water with this system, all other SAR Alouette's were equipped with this system.

SAR Alouettte H-81 at the Open Day Netherlands airforce, July 1987 air base Twenthe.

SAR Alouette H-25 at the Open Day 75 Years RNLAF, July 1988 at air base Deelen.

SAR Alouette III, serial H-67 with experimental fixed floats.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Front view of SAR Alouette III H-75 with emergency float system. On the original photo the name "Barney" is visible on the front of the aircraft.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

After being stationed at air base Ypenburg for almost two years, this base was closed in 1968 and the SAR was moved to air base Soesterberg. The both secondments at the shooting ranges at the isles Vlieland and Terschelling, were maintained.
In 1975 the remaining four SAR choppers (H-08 crashed near Klarenbeek in 1971), were modified with a fuel dump system. The crew could now dump some fuel to save weight when arriving at a crash site, so they could take two people instead of just one. Because of the extra weight of SAR equipment and SAR crew of three people just one person at a time could be rescued.

Under side view of a SAR Alouette III.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Mid 1977 the SAR was moved to air base Leeuwarden, and also the stand-by secondment at the shooting areas at Vlieland and Terschelling was limited to only those days when there was actual a shooting practise.

In 1991 it was decided to replace the SAR  Alouette with three new Agusta-Bell 412SP.

In 1992 the SAR was equipped with GPS and VHF equipment.

December 13, 1993 the first SAR Alouette H-20, was withdrawn from use and handed over the the Military Aviation museum at Soesterberg. In March 1994 The last three SAR Alouette''s were withdrawn from use and sold to the navy of Pakistan.

SAR-Alouette III , serial H-75, parked at Soesterberg.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

SAR-Alouette III, H-67, at the heli strip at Terschelling; Some used dingy''s laying near the aircraft.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

SAR-Alouette III, just after landing or before start.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Detachements.

Turkey 1991

In 1991 during the Gulf war three Alouette’s from 298 squadron were sent to Silopi, Turkey, near the Iraqi border. The Alouettes, A-227, A-407 and A-482 had large white panels on both sides of the fuselage, also a white panel was applied on the under sides of the cabin. Reason was to distinguish them from the Iraqi Alouettes. The aircraft were used for liaison duties, scouting and transport of medical personal.

Alouette A-451 wearing still the white markings, at the Open Day Netherlands Air force, June 1991 at air base Twenthe.

Alouette III in Turkey because of "Provide Comfort" and "Operation Haven".
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Alouette III in Turkey because of "Provide Comfort" and "Operation Haven".
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Cambodia, 1992

In 1992 four Alouette’s went on mission to Cambodia, the A-536, A-366, A-414 en A-235. These aircraft were sprayed overall white, with large UN on the fuselage.

Alouette III A-514 ar the Open Day Netherlands Air Force, July 1993 at air base Eindhoven.

Alouette III, A-536.
On mission UNTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority Cambodia) between June 2, 1992  and October 19, 1993.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Alouette III, serial A-235, in hangaar.
Tis one was used because of NTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority Cambodja) in the period June 2, 1992 till October 10, 1993.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Zagreb, 1990

Also several Alouettes were used for the EG Monitoring Mission in Yugoslavia in 1990. Also the aircraft, A-247., A-301, A-343, A-398 (spare) and A-514 (spare) were completely white with a small serial on the tail and a large, blue EG panel on the fuselage and, in black lettering EC Monitor Missions on the tail boom.
Task was monitoring the armistice. Despite this armistice it often happened that the aircraft was shot at and also hit.

J. van Bentvelzen showing some bullet holes in Sud Aviation SE.3160 van ECMM (serial A-343) at Zagreb airport.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Bosnia, 1996

In 1996 three Alouettes, A-253, A-247 and A-494, were on an  UN mission, IFOR in Bosnia because of monitoring the Convention of Dayton.
They were mainly used for liaison, scouting and medevac.

An Alouette III, A-494 of IFOR near the town Santici.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Alouette flight RNlAF

At the end of the lifetime of the Dutch military Alouette, four remained in service in favour of the so called Royal Flight of VIP Flight.

As there was still demand for transport of Royal Family, VIPs, photo flights etcetera with the Alouette, the withdrawal of these four aircraft was postponed. As a result A-301 needed a major overhaul in 2004 .

Since the inspection dock for major maintenance of the AlouetteIII was already abolished, this overhaul was awarded to the company RUAG, Switzerland.

This company did the overhaul very thoroughly; all kinds of parts were replaced with new ones, resulting in the maintenance eventually higher than the original cost of the unit. However,the Alouette was now brought on SE3160B standard with a reinforced transmission,which allows a maximum takeoff weight of 2200kg.Also, the air frame was reinforced, the cockpits provided with bullet proof glass.Later, the three other aircraft underwent the same maintenance and were delivered in a state as if they were new again.

The four, still operational Dutch SA316B AlouetteIII, A-247, A-275, A-292 and A-301 were painted overall dark blue. The four aircraft form the Royal Flight/VIP Flight for transport of VIPs such as the Royal Family and Ministers .

Alouette III A-292, of the Alouette Flight at the Open Day Netherlands Air Force June 2007 at air base Volkel.

Alouette III A-201 of the Alouette Flight at the the Open Day Netherlands Air Force, June 2014 at air base Gilze-Rijen.

Alouette III A-292, of the Alouette Flight during the 50 Years Alouette III, September 2014 at air base Gilze-Rijen.

Alouette III A-247 of the Alouette Flight during the 50 Years Alouette III, September 2014 at air base Gilze-Rijen.

Withdrawal

Seventeen aircraft were used to partly pay the new Eurocopter Cougar helicopters. Others were sold to HeliSupport.

Display flight The Grasshoppers.

Many will know this display team of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, especial when it became one of the official display teams. The team flew at many air shows in Europe. The four aircraft used were sprayed early eighties in an attractive red, white and blue colour scheme.
See also Grasshoppers