A-247 Aerospatiale SA.316B Alouette III c/n 1247 - RNethAF 300 sqdn. - Groningen Airport Eelde in Holland - 4 March 2008

The Eurocopter SA.316B Alouette III is a single-engined utility helicopter that can accommodate up to 7 passengers. The Alouette III was derived from the Alouette II featuring a more powerful turboshaft and enlarged cabin. Development of the SE-3160 Alouette III started in the late 50s under the Sud-Aviation banner. The first of two prototypes of the Alouette III, the F-ZWVQ powered by one 550 hp Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft, was flown on 28 February 1959. Four pre-production machines followed the prototypes, and the first production helicopter of this type flew in July 1961. In the military role, the Alouette III was used either to transport six fully equipped troops or as an assault helicopter. Certification was achieved on 12 December 1961. The initial SE-3160 Alouette III remained in production until 1969, when it was replaced by the improved SA-316B Alouette III. The Alouette III was developed over the years and remained in production until the 1985. Over 1450 helicopters of the different versions of the Alouette III were built, including production under licence in India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Romania and Switzerland. On 1 January 1970, Sud-Aviation was merged with a number of other French aerospace companies to form the SNIAS (Société Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale). From 1984, SNIAS operated under the name of Aérospatiale. The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aerospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group.

On 4 March 2008, Eurocopter SA.316B Alouette III A-247 of the Royal Netherlands Air Force 300 squadron was used when Princess Maxima visited Gieterveen. The Sud-Est SA.316B Alouette III A-247 was owned by the Royal Netherlands Army, but operated by the RNethAF. In 1965, the Sud-Est SA.316B Alouette III s/n 1247 was delivered to the 299 squadron of the Groep Lichte Vliegtuigen (GpLV), in fact the Army operating within the Royal Netherlands Air Force. In 1979, the Alouette III A-247 was transferred to the 300 sqdn. In 2004, the Alouette III received a blue colour scheme. The A-247 is mainly used for VIP-transport and operated by the Alouette Flight at Soesterberg.