Arrow formation.	Echelon formation.
Roll-on landing.	Louter van Wyk - Formation lead.

 The helicopters were parked in two rows of four Alouettes each. Back row L toR, looking at the choppers,  646, 628, 120, 641. Front row L to R, looking at the choppers 642, 613, 619, 629. Engines were shut down for the final time before each helicopter was towed away.

Indeed a sad chapter in the history of SAAF helicopter operations. The Alouette III served with distinction in any role it was employed and surpassed all expectations as a true workhorse. A remarkable machine that would perhaps be best remembered for its rescue efforts – the distinctive Alouette III whine would serve as a lasting impression to a number of stricken persons - either over sea or land. It is hard to imagine the very first examples arrived at the end of 1962. With the retirement of the Wasp helicopter it was the smallest helicopter to serve with the SAAF but in the largest number of any SAAF helicopter type.

At the time of publication the fate of these helicopters were not known. Two examples have been allocated to the SAAF Museum, Swartkops as flying examples. Only three Alouette IIIs remain with 22 Sqdn in Cape Town. They will serve with the SAAF until the Navy Lynx is operational at Sqdn level. The rest of the Allouette III helicopters have been replaced by the Augusta/Westland A109 LUH of which the SAAF is the first operator of the type.

Prestine condition despite retirement.

Towed away.

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