The SE-313B Alouette II is a single-engined utility helicopter that can
accommodate up to 4 passengers. Development of the SE-3130 Alouette II
started in the early 50s under the SNCA Sud-Est banner. The Sud-Est
SE-3130 Alouette II was derived from the SE-3120 Alouette, a
three-seater built in 1949 powered by a Salmson 9 NH piston engine. Two
prototypes of the SE-3130 model were built, featuring a Turbomeca
Artouste II turbine-engine and an enlarged cabin. The first flight of an
SE.3130, the F-WWHE c/n 01, occurred on 12 March 1955, certification was
achieved on 2 May 1957. The Alouette II entered production with
Sud-Aviation that was formed when SNCASE merged with SNCASO on 1
September 1956. In 1964, the SE.3130 was replaced in production by the
SE.3180 variant that differed in the installation of an Astazou II
turbine-engine and a strengthened transmission system. In 1967, the
SE.3130 was re-designated SE.313B; the SE.3180 was re-designated
SE.318C. On 1 January 1970, Sud-Aviation was merged with a number of
other French aerospace companies to form the SNIAS (Société Nationale
Industrielle Aerospatiale). The Alouette II remained in production until
1975. Over 1500 helicopters of the different versions of the Alouette II
were built, including production under licence in the U.S.A, India and Sweden.
From 1984, SNIAS operated under the name of Aérospatiale. The helicopter
divisions of MBB from Germany and Aérospatiale from France merged in
January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. As a result of the merger between the Eurocopter parents Aérospatiale-Matra; DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA)
and Construcciones Aeronàuticas Sociedad Anonima (CASA) in July 2000, the Eurocopter group became a division of the new formed
EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space company). Taking off into 2014, EADS was rebranded as "Airbus Group". Uniting
all its activities under a single brand, its helicopter division Eurocopter was rebranded as Airbus Helicopters on 8 January 2014.
From 1959, Belgium ordered in total ninety Sud-Aviation Alouette II helicopters as replacement for the Piper L-18C Super Cub aircraft in service with
the Aviation Légère de la Force Terrestre - Lichte Vliegwezen van de Landmacht (Belgian Army Light Aviation). Between 1959 and 1967, forty-two SE.3130
Alouette II and forty-two SE.3180 Alouette Astazou were ordered for the Landmacht (Army) and six SE.318C Alouette Astazou for the Gendarmerie-Rijkswacht
(Police). Thirthy of the SE.318C Alouette Astazou helicopters were was assembled by SABCA in Gosselies. On 3 July 1969, the SABCA assembled Sud-Aviation
SE.3180 Alouette II s/n 2083 l/n 696C-A159 was flown first as OL-A72 at Gosselies in Belgium. On 2 September 1969, the SE.3180 Alouette II OL-A72 left
Gosselies on delivery to the Lichte Vliegwezen van de Landmacht, first to the 255e Compagnie and on 5 September to the SLV-School Licht Vliegwezen
(School of Light Aviation) at Brasschaat. In 1974, the airframe was converted by the 255 Cie Maint LtAvn to a SA-318C. As a Sud-Aviation SA-318C the
OL-A72 resumed service with the SLV at Brasschaat. In 1976, registration OL-A72 changed to A-72. In 2005, Sud-Aviation SA-318C A-72 was withdrawn from
service with the SLV. The airframe of the A-72 moved to the Technical School, Saffraanberg, where it was used as an instructional airframe marked as
'A53' on the fuselage. On 29 July 1997, the 1969-built Sud-Aviation SA-318C Alouette Astazou A-72 was seen in service with the
SLV-School Licht Vliegwezen at Brasschaat (EBBT). The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the SA.318C Alouette Aztazou is ALO2.
