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Last rites for a ski rescue helicopter
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead

For the past fortnight the off-piste website PisteHors has been running an interesting series of articles on the retirement of the Alouette III rescue helicopter, which has been buzzing about the French Alps and rescuing climbers and skiers for nearly 50 years (over 50 years in its earlier versions). Not surprisingly, tales of its heroic pilots and crews are legendary. Worth a read if you've a moment:

Adieu to the gentile Alouette
Alouette III: Triumph and Tragedy
Alain Frébault – The Pilot of the Grandes Jorasses
Alouette III – A revolution in mountain rescue [all about rescue by hydraulic winch]
Alouette III Facts

So ... what's replaced the Alouette III? Anyone been rescued by one ... and did you have to pay for the privilege?
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person

David Goldsmith,

Alouette, gentille Alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Replaced in a lot of areas by the Eurocopter EC 135 or the versions of the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117/Eurocopter EC 145 family. Never been been rescued by one but have worked with BK 117s quite a bit. Great machines with excellent rescue capabilities.
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.

Sarge McSarge, Kawasaki, gentil Kawasaki doesn't have quite the same ring. wink
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

David Goldsmith wrote:
.......So ... what's replaced the Alouette III? Anyone been rescued by one ... and did you have to pay for the privilege?


A member of a party I was in was rescued in one at val D'Isere. The paramedic checked insurance details before calling the helicopter in. Quite a few years ago.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.

Hurtle wrote:
Sarge McSarge, Kawasaki, gentil Kawasaki doesn't have quite the same ring. wink
but it does scan, which is something.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Hurtle, I know, but they are all so loud you can't hear my dulcet tones no matter what i am singing Blush
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!

Approximately on topic..... Smile

I love this shot of a Sea King which made a forced landing during a shout in Coire an t-Schneachda - Feb 2006
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