Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/IAR_330_Puma_Naval_first_flight.jpg/220px-IAR_330_Puma_Naval_first_flight.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/SAAF-Puma-002.jpg/220px-SAAF-Puma-002.jpg)
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Elitos_Sud-Aviation_SA_330J_Puma_I-EHPC.jpg/220px-Elitos_Sud-Aviation_SA_330J_Puma_I-EHPC.jpg)
The Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma is a transport helicopter designed and built in France. The design was first built by Sud Aviation,[1] and later by Aérospatiale. It was also built by Westland Helicopter in the United Kingdom after an agreement between the two countries[2] It first flew in April 1965.[3] It is mainly used by Armée de l'Air, Royal Air Force, and some other air forces. It is also used by civilians.
SA-330 specifications[change | change source]
The Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma is 59.6½ feet (18.15 meters) long, 49.2½ feet (15.00 meters) diameter, and 16.10½ feet (5.14 meters) tall. A minimum mass that weighs 7,795 pounds (3,536 kg) and at the maximum mass that weighs 15,532 pounds (7,000 kg). It is powered by two Turbomeca Turmo engines driving a helicopter rotor with four blades.[4]
The passenger cabin allows the reception of sixteen to twenty armed soldiers in military version,[5] and fourteen to sixteen passengers in civil version. The two-seater cockpit of the helicopter is type side by side. A mechanic, also serving the mechanical winch, takes place at the rear. He can used the removable machine gun.[6]
SA-330 users[change | change source]
At the beginning of 2013, these countries were still using or had used the military Puma:
Abu Dhabi
Algeria
Argentina
Belgium
Brazil
Chad
Cameroon
Chile
Ivory Coast
Democratic Republic of the Congo
France
Germany
Greece
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Kuwait
Malawi
Mexico
Morocco
Nepal
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Philippines
Portugal
Romania
South Africa
Senegal
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
Togo
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
SA-330 variants[change | change source]
If the majority of Puma was built by Aérospatiale in France and the UK by Westland but.[7] A few others were produced under license in Indonesia, Romania, and South Africa.
French built Puma[change | change source]
SA-330A, SA-330B, SA-330Ba, SA-330C, SA-330E, SA-330F, SA-330G, SA-330H, SA-330J, SA-330L, SA-330S, SA-330Z. SA-330A is the prototype and SA-330Z is an experimental version.
British built Puma[change | change source]
Puma HC Mk-1, Puma HC Mk-2. British production is only for the military version.
Indonesian built Puma[change | change source]
NAS-330J. Indonesian Puma are built by IPTN, indigenous aeronautical industry, for civilian and military.
Romanian built Puma[change | change source]
IAR-330, IAR-330 SOCAT. Romanian Puma are built by IAR, indigenous aeronautical industriy, for civilian and military. IAR-330 SOCAT is an attack and transport helicopter, like soviet helicopter Mi-24 Hind.
South African built Puma[change | change source]
Oryx. South African Puma are built by Atlas Aircraft Corporation, indigenous aeronautical industriy, for civilian and military.
Notes[change | change source]
The SA-330 Puma gave birth to a derivative extensively modified, designated AS-332 Super Puma.[8]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ "Aerospatiale / Sud-Aviation SA 330 Puma - Specifications - Technical Data / Description". www.flugzeuginfo.net.
- ↑ (in French) http://www.avionslegendaires.net/aerospatiale-sa-330-puma.php
- ↑ "Aerospatiale SA330 Puma". Helis.com.
- ↑ (in French) http://www.aviationsmilitaires.net/display/aircraft/154 Archived 2013-11-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ (in French) http://tomcat85.free.fr/SA.330_Puma.php
- ↑ "Aerospatiale SA.330 "Puma" helicopter - development history, photos, technical data". www.aviastar.org.
- ↑ (in French)http://www.aeroweb-fr.net/appareils/aerospatiale-sa-330-puma-iar-330
- ↑ (in French) http://www.avionslegendaires.net/aerospatiale-as-332-ec-225-super-puma.php