Aerospatiale SA360 Dauphin

The single engine Dauphin 1 (sic) ( sometimes Dauphine and English Dolphin ) first flew on June 1, 1972 and broke 3 world speed records in 1973. The SA360 was developed as a replacement for the Alouette III but offered little advantage over its predecessor and production was cancelled after 34 SA360C production aircraft were built since April 1975.

Further developments includes (all conversions) 1 SA360A naval helicopter and 3 SA361 hot and high version with a more powerful engine.

Deliveries started in January 1976 but in the meantime a twin-engine derivative, the SA365 Dauphin 2 completed its maiden flight. This new model proved to be very successful in both civil and military market and its last offspring, the EC155, first flew 25 years later.