AS365 N2 DOLPHIN 2 - FRENCH NAVY 2010

Description

The Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 (Dolphin) is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter currently produced by Airbus Helicopters. It was originally developed and manufactured by French firm Aérospatiale, which was merged into the multinational Eurocopter company during the 1990s. Since entering production in 1975, the type has been in continuous production for nearly 40 years. The Dauphin 2 shares many similarities with the Aérospatiale SA 360, a commercially-unsuccessful single-engine helicopter; however the twin-engine Dauphin 2 did meet with customer demands and has been operated by a wide variety of civil and military operators. Since the type’s introduction in the 1970s, several major variations and specialised versions of the Dauphin 2 have been developed and entered production, including the military-oriented Eurocopter Panther, the air-sea rescue HH/MH-65 Dolphin, the Chinese-manufactured Harbin Z-9 and the modernised Eurocopter EC155. This version – designated AS365 N2 from the outset – introduced the upgraded 549 kW (737 shp) Arriel 1C2 turboshafts, an uprated gearbox, increased maximum take-off weight of 4,250 kg (9,370 lb), redesigned cabin doors and revised interior, enlarged tail fin with all composite Fenestron. Deliveries of this version started in 1990. Licensed versions, called the Z-9 and Z-9A, were assembled in China. This helicopter is in service with several countries for government or military use: Australia in Victorian Police & Western Australia Police - Argentina Coast Guard - Taiwan in the National Airborne Service Corps - Greece Cost guard - Icelandic Coast Guard - Kuwait Police - Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency - Bangladesh Army - Chilean Navy - French Navy - Lithuanian Air Force - Royal Saudi Naval Forces - British Royal Navy - United States Coast Guard - Uruguayan Air Force - Irish Air Corps - Sri Lanka Air Force. (Scale : 1/35e)