South Africa says “Adieu” for the last time to a diminutive helicopter which became a legend in our skies.

Final display

After the decommissioning formation flights of the Alouette III helicopters from 87 Helicopter Flying School in May 2006 and again in June 2006 for the Alouette III helicopters from 17 Sqdn. – three Alous remained in service at 22 Sqn Ysterplaat near Cape Town as the only helicopter type that could serve aboard the SAS Protea during operations. These 3 Alouettes have now also been withdrawn from service and another chapter in the helicopter history of the SAAF came to a close. On Friday, 3 August 2007, Alouette 624, with Jan Aggenbach as pilot and “Oosie” Oosthuizen as flight engineer took to the skies for the last time.  With 2 Oryx helicopters they performed a display demonstrating the various roles the Alo (or “Draadkar” – wire car) performed, while in the service of the SAAF.  A mock attach was setup complete with pyrotechnics where the Alou, flying in circular patterns was used in the support role to the Oryx helicopters.

This was followed by the demonstration of the familiar sea rescue role by lowering a “casualty” into a sea rescue boat towed behind a bakkie (small truck) before hoisting the Stokes basket.

Alouette 3 No 624

Landing at Ysterplaat

 Jan Aggenbach (with 950 hours on the Alo) then displayed the maneuverability of the Alou III with a few tight, high speed turns.  And as the sun was setting behind some rain clouds, he landed the Alo at Ysterplaat for the last time. As a lasting memory to the Alo III at Ysterplaat, the crew presented the SAAF Museum with a mounted cyclic control column.  The National Flag was lowered to the sounds of a lonely trumpet playing the Last Retreat, before no 624 was towed to the hanger.  This was done in funeral procession style with dignitaries and all 300 guests following no 624 at a slow pace.