In reference to Sollohed post. Article copied and pasted from a Canadian Helicopter magazine called "Helicopters" There is also a pic of a S51 which don't show here. They refer to Autair Helicopters Services.
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Canada’s First Turbine Helicopters.
First turbine helicopter was imported to Canada in 1958 135-lookback When the first turbine helicopter was imported to Canada in 1958, it cost twice as much as the ubiquitous Bell 47G-2 and consumed substantially more fuel. Performance was impressive, but it was not until the mid-70s that turbine helicopters finally outnumbered piston models in Canada.
France took an early lead in introducing the turbine helicopter. The Sud-Est SE.3130 Alouette II was the first turboshaft helicopter to enter production; its prototype first flew on March 12, 1955. US fighterjet maker Republic Aviation in December 1957 agreed to market the Alouette II in North America. Republic demonstrated the Alouette II to potential customers in Montreal in August 1958, resulting in a quick sale to Autair Helicopter Services Ltd., the first commercial operator of a turbine helicopter in North America.
Compared to piston models, the four-passenger Alouette had impressive performance. It started easily in cold weather, cruised at 110 mph, climbed at 1,000 fpm, carried a 1,000- pound payload, and held the world helicopter altitude record of 34,000 feet. But CFKMW came to an abrupt end on May 13, 1959 when the helicopter nosed over on takeoff at Labrieville while carrying Daniel Johnson, Quebec’s minister of hydraulics (and future premier) on an inspection tour of hydro developments.
The second customer for a turbine helicopter in Canada was the aviation arm of Ontario Hydro. Purchase of the $90,000 helicopter was authorized in 1959 to enhance the utility’s productivity spraying powerline rights of way. Alouette II CF-JMC arrived at Toronto in June 1959.
Last edited by fijdor; 28th Oct 2013 at 02:30.