Aircraft of the ADF ~ Aerospatiale AS 350 Squirrel

In October 1983, the Australian Squirrel order was increased by a further six aircraft to carry out the RAAF Search and Rescue (SAR) role at Williamtown, Pearce and Darwin.

The first Australian AS 350B, an RAN machine serialled N22-013 (Aerospatiale constructor’s number 1726), was handed over in France on November 30 1983. This was followed by the first two RAAF aircraft, A22-001 and A22-002 (c/n 1727 and 1728), on February 28 1984. The first 12 RAAF Squirrels were serialled A22-001 to A22-012, and the six naval aircraft became N22-013 to N22-018. The final batch for the RAAF was A22-019 to A22-024 (c/n 1768 to 1773).

In May 1984, the first five of the RAAF and RAN aircraft were flown from France to RAAF Fairbairn by a 33 Squadron Boeing 707. These aircraft were handed over at a ceremony at Fairbairn on May 22. A further four followed by 33 Squadron 707, then six by sea, with the remaining nine airlifted in late 1984.

During January 1985, the first two SAR Squirrels deployed to RAAF Williamtown. In this role the Squirrel performed poorly with its single engine, limited one pilot operation, short range and difficulty with winch operation. To correct this deficiency, tenders were invited in 1986 for SAR helicopter services, with the National Safety Council of Australia winning the contract with its twin engined Bell 212s.

On January 1 1990, control of No 5 Squadron’s Squirrels passed to the ADF Helicopter School (ADFHS). Now marked as Army aircraft, the Squirrels will ultimately move to the Army Aviation Centre at Oakey, where the ADFHS may possibly merge with the School of Army Aviation.

When Naval flyers graduate from the ADFHS, they continue Squirrel flying with the RAN’s No 723 Squadron at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, or commence conversion to another helicopter type. Since 1985, Squirrels have served on the FFG frigates to fill the S-70B Seahawk role while awaiting the delivery of this larger and more capable helicopter.

This embarked experience showed the Squirrel as a robust machine and proved invaluable when the RAN Task Group sailed to the Middle East in 1990, prior to the Gulf War. Two S-70Bs and three 723 Squadron Squirrels were embarked, with the latter armed with 7.62mm machine guns to serve in the reconnaissance and liaison roles.

The RAN Squirrels are equipped with floats on the skids and a hoist on the port side. The six aircraft were originally coded “23” to “28” on their fuselage sides, but these code numbers were later changed to the more conventional RAN side numbers “860” to “865″. These aircraft were delivered in the same blue and white colour scheme as the RAAF aircraft, but on deployment to the Gulf of Oman were changed to an all over low visibility blue-grey. More recently, naval Squirrels have been repainted grey.

The Army and Navy is currently upgrading the Squirrel fleet. Airframe modifications include new rotor blades, designed to produce more thrust and improve the helicopter’s autorotation capability. A third pilot’s seat is also added to Army Squirrels to allow for a second student. The AUW will be increased to 2100kg from the previous limit of 1950kg. These modifications will be incorporated over the next year, and the Australian variant will then become the AS 350BA Squirrel.