The Aerospatiale Alouette II is probably best known for its high altitude operations, particularly as an air ambulance, and also for its precise handling. Due to the shape of its fuselage it has been referred to as the “bug-eye.”

The helicopter is the product resulting from the merging of Tubomeca's Artouste turbine engine with the Sikorsky S-55 gearbox. Its first flight was in March of 1955 and it was soon setting altitude records. The aircraft was easily adaptable to high mountain rescues. It is equipped with skids, floats, or wheels.

In July of 1956 the second prototype Alouette II produced was doing its performance testing in the Alps. During the tests it was learned that a man suffered a heart attack at the Vallot Mountain refuge. The helicopter rescued the climber and transported him to a nearby hospital, which saved his life.

In January of 1957 two Alouette II helicopters rescued six mountain guides and the two man crew of another helicopter that crashed in an earlier rescue attempt.

The Alouette II and its Lama version have since continued in their tradition of rescues at high altitudes in places that would not have been accessible without the helicopters.

The helicopter is used by numerous nations around the world, particularly France, Germany and India. It has been in operation in Germany for over 25 years without any crashes. Many ex military versions are still in operation today.

Over 1,300 Aerospatiale Alouette II helicopters were produced.

SA 318C Alouette II Specifications
Primary Function:     Crew:     Engine:     Horsepower:     Length:     Height:     Rotor Diameter:     Weight Empty:     Max. Weight:     Cruise Speed:     Max. Speed:     Initial Climb:     Ceiling:     Range:     First Flight:     Year Deployed:	utility one Astazou IIA 530 h.p. 32' 0" 9' 1" 33' 6" 1,958 lbs. 3,630 lbs. 122 mph 127 mph 1,300 fpm 10,824 feet 446 miles 3/12/55 1957