Conceived within theFranco-British
framework agreements of 1967 and called Alouette IV
initially, the SA-330 Puma had to succeed to French Sikorsky H-19 and H-34 as
well as the Bristol Belvédère of the Royal Air Force.
It entered in service in ALAT during the year 1969 and in theArmée
de l'Air in 1974. The Puma is motorized by 2 Turbomeca Turmo IIIC4 turbines of 990kW,
its cabin capacity is about 20 soldiers. The production of about 700 machines
was distributed between Aérospatiale firm and
This aircraft has been destroyed on 2007, july the 9th, due to
our difficulties to pay our hangars.
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CELAG's
SA-330J Puma was owned by the Héli-Union Company
before being damaged and severely burned. Only the cockpit and the forward part
of the aircraft were saved. This helicopter have the
s/n 1487 (F-GBDI). It probably arrived to
the CELAG in 1987. Its state make it very
difficult to restore, so this is not planned at present. It could, perhaps,
be used for a flight simulator, but the CELAG can't afford it now. |
General specifications
Manufacturers :
Sud Aviation (F) Westland (GB)
First Flight :
15 avril 1965
Type :
medium transport helicopter
Engine :
2 turbines Turbomeca Turmo IIIC4 of 1328 cv
Capacity :
2 pilots + 20 passengers
Production :
700 + 145 under licence
Country users :
more than 30
Dimensions
Fuselage lenght :
14,06 m
Lenght overall :
18,15 m
Height :
4,36 m
Main rotor diameter :
15,00 m
Empty weight :
3535 kg
Max. weight :
7000 kg
Performances
Maximum speed :
273 km/h
Service ceiling :
6000 m
Range :
580 km
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It is in 1974 that appeared for the first time
the necessity to improve the SA-330 Puma. So, Super Puma AS-332 was equipped
with a lengthened cabin and with 2 Makila 1A-1
turbines of 1358 kW. It accomplished its first flight on September 13, 1978. In
1976 an experimental version AS-331Z was modified with a starflex
rotor and a fenestron tail rotor, but these technical
options were not validated. Its increased capacity of carrying and its cabin
being able to receive 27 seats, the Super Puma is largely used by oil companies
for personnel transport. The specifically military versions received name
AS-532 Cougar. In South Africa, the machine elements of the Super Puma were
used to realize a combat helicopter called "Rooivak".
The successor of this
machines family is European helicopter NH90.
Copyright CELAG 2000-2004 - Drawings and
Photographs are properties of their authors and are not free - celag@free.fr |