The sun sets on the Alouette 3s of the SAAF

Once in the hanger each guest received a glass of port and was asked to join in a song to bring tribute to this workhorse.  Alouette 624 was slowly reversed out the hanger and the doors slowly closed.  As the last words to “Oohh, Chopper” were uttered, the hangar doors closed, thereby closing the history book on the Aerospatiale Aloutte III which served the SAAF in any role and in many theaters of operations.

The last remaining three Alouette helicopters (624, 630, 612) based at Ysterplaat were transferred to the SAAF Museum Swartkops where they will serve as flying examples. As for the Alouette replacement, the AugustaWestland A109 LUH SAAF has taken over most roles of the trusted Alouette III. The initial helicopter training will not be carried out on the A109 as the SAAF elected to outsource this phase to a private helicopter training concern. As for the ship borne roles of the Alouette III, this will in future be handled by the AugustaWesland Super Lynx and all the SAAF examples have arrived in South Africa during the last two months.  

Towed to the hangar

Top photo: E. Kotze'. Photo Manipulation: A. Dyason

All photos: E. Kotze'

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