11/15/2003. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The Ecureuil (Squirrel) multi-role general-purpose helicopter was intended as a successor to the Alouette II and Lama. The first prototype (F-WVKH) flew on June 27, 1974, powered by a Avco Lycoming LTS 101 turboshaft, the second (F-WVKI) on February 15, 1975, powered by an Turboméca Arriel. Type certificate was obtained late 1977, by which time already over 300 orders were booked, 5 out of 6 orders coming from North America.

Of the initial production versions the Avco Lycoming powered AS 350D AStar was for the North American markets, the Turboméca powered AS 350 B serving the other markets. The AStar version was assembled and finished in the US by Aérospatiale Helicopters Division at Grand Prairie, Texas. From the early nineties the military versions carried the designation AS 550 Fennec (Desert Fox). The AS 350 was build under license by Helibras of Brazil as the HB 350.

Standard seating is for 6 persons in a comfortable wide-body looking cabin, the airframe incorporating many parts made of new materials like polycarbonates, glass fibers, etc. The "Starflex" rotor head, made of composite material, reduces maintenance considerably, the use of components out of the motor-industry reduces costs.

A twin-engined version, the AS 355 Ecureuil 2, is used for close-offshore or inter-rig liaisons and for work over towns by public bodies, like police, etc. Again there is a North American version, the Twin Star. The military version also received the name Fennec from the same moment on as it single-engined counterpart, with the designation AS 555. Under the designation HB 355 F2 Esquilo (Squirrel) it was assembled in Brazil.

The success of this helicopter may be clear by the fact that after 25 years it is still in production, although since 1992 under the name of Eurocopter."

Models AS 350 Ecureuil: AS 350 B Ecureuil: AS 350 BB Squirrel: AS 350 B3 Ecureuil: AS 350 D AStar: AS 350 L: AS 550 A2 Fennec: AS 550 C2 Fennec: AS 550 C3 Fennec: AS 550 M2 Fennec: AS 550 S2 Fennec: AS 550 U2 Fennec: AS 355 F Ecureuil 2             & Twin Star: AS 355 FR Ecureuil 2: AS 555 AN Fennec: AS 555 MN Fennec: AS 555 SN Fennec: AS 555 UN Fennec:

Two prototypes. First with 592 shp Textron Lycoming LTS.101 engine, first flown June 26, 1974 as F-WVKH (c/n 001). Second with 641 shp Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine, first flown February 14, 1975 as F-WVKI (c/n 002). Initial civil production with Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine and 4,300 lb (1,950 kg) T/O gross weight. Trainer, as Squirrel HT.Mk.1 to RAF, as Squirrel HT.Mk.2 to RN .....from 1997 production version initial production for North America original military version armed ground support anti-tank military counterpart of AS 350B3 Ecureuil naval utility naval armed utility armed ground support naval utility naval armed utility

The following data refers to the AS 350 B Ecureuil.

Engine: One Turboméca Arriel 1D turbine
Rotor: 35.07 ft (10.69 m) in diameter
Length: 42.45 ft (12.94 m) rotor rotating
Height: 10.30 ft (3.14 m)
Width: 8.30 ft (2.53 m) rotor folded
Empty weight: 2,443 lb (1,108 kg)
Max T/O weight: 5,070 lb (2,300 kg) with external load
Max speed: 169 mph (272 km/h)
Max climb: 1,500 ft (450 m)/min
Ceiling: 9,400 ft (2,870 m)
Range: 407 mls (655 km)