GP018 SA 321 SUPER FRELON

Aerospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon was and still is a heavy French transport and anti-submarine helicopter of full metal, half-shell construction in a classic arrangement with a main rotor and tail rotor on the beam. The drive is provided by three Turbomeca 3C III turbo-shaft engines with 1,570 HP each. The flight of the first prototype took place in 1962, and serial production in France was carried out in the period 1961-1981. It is estimated that about 110 copies of this helicopter were produced. The license was sold to China, where Super Frelon is manufactured under the designation Harbin Z-8. The SA 321 was created to replace the SE 3200 helicopter, and was to carry much heavier loads, as well as be capable of operating over water bodies. These goals were achieved in serial versions, creating a helicopter with a solid structure, large payload and very good range. SA 321 helicopters were produced in several versions. The first one (SA 321G) was the anti-submarine anti-submarine version (ZOP), which had specialized equipment, mainly sonar, and could carry up to 4 torpedoes. The transport version (SA 321 Ga) was unarmed and was used primarily by the French Navy. A version for anti-surface ships was also developed, equipped with AM.39 Exocet missiles. SA 321 was exported to many countries, including Greece, Libya and Iraq.