Alouettes on the move

[Tony Kearns]

Alouettes 196 and 214 in a state of partial dismantling in preparation for eventually moving on.
Alouette 202 back in pristine condition is going to the Ulster Aviation Society museum.
Tony K

[FiSe]

I could have overlooked it...is any of them staying in Baldonnel?

[Tony Kearns]

Yes FiSe, 195 is being retained for the museum.
Tony K

[Irish251]

I haven't heard any clear indication as to where the aircraft are going - can anyone shed some light on this?

[Fouga23]

Why is the nose off that Fouga? Is it also being moved?

[FiSe]

Yes FiSe, 195 is being retained for the museum.
Tony K

Thank you, Tony 

[Tony Kearns]

Why is the nose off that Fouga? Is it also being moved?

No panic Tim,
Magister 219 is in for a clean up job and then returning to the museum ( and hopes to have guns fitted also)
Tony K

[Tony Kearns]

apologies meant to post this also

[Silver]

Thanks for the update Tony!

Where are the AIII's going? (Other than 202 that is) Foreign buyer?

Is 195 the oldest of the fleet?
I thought an 'airworthy' example was to be retained by the museum?


Wonder will we ever see a Fouga on 'gate guardian' duty at Baldonnel?!

[Tony Kearns]

Silver,
195 and 196 were delivered together on 26-11-63 and 197 followed on 13-5-64. 195 is in excellent condition and cared for by the apprentices. Yes it could be flown again but I doubt that it will.
It is unlikely that a Magister will be used as a gate guardian and I would prefer that it not be done. The Irish weather would play havoc with it in the open and it is much safer in the museum. I remember the Vampire 198 ( now in Collins Bks museum) was out in the open near the officers mess for many years and the deterioration was massive. When you have a gate guardian you need personnel to keep it clean on a regular basis.
Tony K

[Frank]

From YouTube:

Irish Air Corps Alouette III "202" was handed over to the Ulster Aviation Society during a ceremony held in Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel on 27 May 2009.
The helicopter is towed into the hangar hosting the museum accompanied by the Irish Air Corps Pipe Band.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EklAvPBenQ[/youtube]

[pilatus]

I wonder have they all actually been sold or what the story is with them?Also has the fouga that was to go on display in the courtyard in Collins barracks been moved there yet?

[Tony Kearns]

Pilatus,
My understanding is that they have all been sold except 195 and are going to France initially and then to Africa (which part I do not know)
Magister 216 is still in Baldonnel and housed in the museum and looking very nice since its facelift! pic during restoration.
Tony K

[pilatus]

Thanks Tony.

I assume going on to serve in another military?That would be remarkable if they did.
There must not be many of those 7.62mm guns left laying around for the Fouga's.
They must be secretly sending the AIII's and the armed Fouga's to Chad to support the army! ::)please note sarcasim everyone!

[heligaz]

Saw the alouettes 2day stripped down some with no tail sections left attached for transport reasons. Sad to see these great machines leaving the country. They will be well missed.