View Full Version : Allouette II over Harwich 1815 12-May-2006
Hilico
12th May 2006, 17:22
I haven't seen one of these for decades! There it was flying NE-SW along the beach at about 700ft.
Anyone any idea whose? Thanks for the thrill, whoever it was.
Bladecrack
12th May 2006, 17:42
what colour was it and any visible markings?
Hilico
12th May 2006, 17:44
Not easy to see, but dark coloured. If it had any markings, they didn't show up.
Aesir
12th May 2006, 18:48
How could you tell the difference between a Alouette II or Lama? Aren´t they nearly identical?
´edit´ By "Identical" I mean as how they look, of course ; )
MReyn24050
12th May 2006, 18:51
Possibly XR379 of the Army air Corps Historic Flight?
Hi guys,
A-IIs are showing up now where noise isn't an issue yet!
There are 2 of them in Panama at this time...
The main visible difference to a Lama is the 3-bladed TR versus 2-bladed on the A-II.
I am not sure about the Lama, but as it basically uses the Alouette III powertrain, I assume it has full hydraulics.
The A-II is all manual!!
I fly a A-III regularly. It is fairly loud, but the A-II must be the most efficient machine to convert fuel into noise - what a screecher!!
3top :cool:
Hilico
12th May 2006, 20:50
Wasn't outstandlingly loud. And somehow I would have expected a Lama to have higher skids.
Wait until you stand 15m beside one, cooling down!!
They come with high or low skids!
3top:cool:
tangovictor
12th May 2006, 21:55
i saw one at mallory park liec's on wednesday, beautiful machine, in army coloring. I took a photo, and a short video of it taking off, but have no idea how to post it/them
The 2 that are in Panama, are Ex-German Borderguard machines...
3top:cool:
wg13_dummy
12th May 2006, 22:42
The A-II is all manual
3Top, XR379 Allouette II certainly isnt all manual. I can tell you that for a fact as Ive flown it! :hmm:
Wouldn't know for sure!
I heard this from low-time guy who got the chance to play with one for a couple of minutes.
The owner supposedly told him no hydraulics and it feels very heavy in a hover!?!??
Could there be various different models, like the Bell-47 family, which has everything from no hyd. to full hyd., with models that have cyclic hyd. only....
I will check myself next time I see it...
HOwever it is definitely Ex-Bundesgrenzschutz, lots of German Markings and Instruments...
3top:cool:
ppheli
13th May 2006, 06:47
My goodness - you all make it sound like these things are rare in UK skies! Apart from the historic flight one, we have another SIX based, one more due, and potentially more coming...
There are two N reg Alouette IIs, one at Redhill and another in the Barton area - plus an HA reg one near Leeds. Not forgetting three G- reg ones - one in Swiss markings which often appears at Helidays and two others currently not flying (one on maintenance at Droitwich and G-UGLY which has an expired CofA and may be at Gamlingay?).
Then, there have been various Alouette IIs auctioned recently, including one which went to Hungary for refurb before coming back here to be based, plus potentially another four others ex-auction.
And I'm assuming we're talking about an Alouette II, as it only says "Alouette" and there's a G reg Allouette III around now too, isn't there md600driver?....
bellsux
13th May 2006, 09:05
Visible difference in flight for the Alouette II is it's box shaped fuel tank which fills most of the area under the transmission deck. With the hydraulics it's cyclic is hydraulic and collective and tail rotor are manual, no electric switches for the operation just a valve that you wind in and out.
Hilico
13th May 2006, 20:29
And there I was expecting either one post 'yes it was me', or no posts at all. Talking to a senior AAC chap today and it seems there is one in the historic flight.
It was just nice to see one in the metal again, rather than just in those hilariously dreadful repeats of The Champions or The Persuaders. Thanks everyone.
MReyn24050
13th May 2006, 21:29
And there I was expecting either one post 'yes it was me', or no posts at all. Talking to a senior AAC chap today and it seems there is one in the historic flight.
It was just nice to see one in the metal again, rather than just in those hilariously dreadful repeats of The Champions or The Persuaders. Thanks everyone.
Yes but did your senior AAC chap say whether it was XR 379?
Taff Missed
14th May 2006, 08:31
379 is in Hangar 3 at Middle Wallop awaiting post-maintenance weighing.
Cheers
Taff
md 600 driver
14th May 2006, 09:06
pp heli
yes there is at least 2 allouete 3s on the uk register there is also 1 more allo2 come in from from hungary [ i dont think you know about that one yet but it is possibly the one seen its in that area ]
bellsux
not all of the fuel tanks are box shaped some are round
and more to allo 3s to follow
Hi all,
checked with the AII owner:
All hydraulics except the TR.
Cylinders are below the floor (I didn't see that, so take it for what it is - free gospel...).
Seems my low-time budy just felt a heavier than R-22 helo for the firsttime!
3top:cool:
bullshitproof
15th May 2006, 14:43
Theirs a couple of nice Alouette 318c for sale on peterstoys.com if you fancy one on the N reg I believe.