Aerospatiale SA.321G Super Frelon, 162 / 162, French Navy / Aeronautique Navale
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 162
Construction Number: 162
Code Number: 62
Military Unit: 32 Flottille
Model Aerospatiale SA.321G Super Frelon
Operator: French Navy / Aeronautique Navale
Airport: RAF Fairford (FFD / EGVA), UK - England
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 29/07/1994
Date Submitted: 13/10/2009
Photographed arriving at IAT94 from her home base at Lanvéoc in Brittany, this Super Frelon is operated by 32 Flottille of the Aéronavale. These impressive looking helicopters were developed from the earlier Sud Aviation SE 3200 Frelon (Hornet). Entering service in 1966, 99 examples had been built when production ended in 1983. Powered by three Turboméca Turmo IIIC turboshafts producing 1,171kW (1,570 hp) each, the Super Frelon benefited from design input from Sikorsky in areas such as the six-bladed, self-folding rotor system and from Fiat with the transmission. They were also exported to Iraq, Israel, Libya, South Africa, Zaire and the People's Republic of China. In addition, a Civilian version, the SA-321F was also produced, used most notably by Olympic Airways in Greece. In Aéronavale service the SA 321G version was used primarily in the anti-submarine warfare role but like most maritime helicopters they were also used for anti-shipping and search and rescue. Now in the twilight of their career, these helicopters of the French Navy have, since 2003 been relegated to mainly transport duties including commando transport, VertRep but still undertake the SAR mission.
Picture ID:1197363