JFDI: I am not familiar with the Alouette II, but a friend of friend is flying a Lama as a cropduster in Costa Rica. Obviously the Al II has the same turbine as the SA316-Alouette III had - a Turbomeca Artouise or so, roughly 500 hp.
The SA 319B Alouette III and the Lama have a Turbomeca Astazou or something like that with around 800 hp. I understand that the max gross weight did not go up a lot but the high altidude capabilities are tremendous on the "new" engines (....these things are roughly 35 years old!!). The Lama and the Alouette III are pretty much matched speedwise. The Alouette I fly (mainly as a Safety Pilot for the private owner) has metric speed indication and redlines at 220 km/h. I consider the fixed landing gear on the Lama an advantage, as the 3 wheels on the Alouette III and the 3 blade rotor take a lot of attention or you are in ground resonance in a blink of the eye!
I am waiting to hear from Idle Stop...
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