SNCASE SE.3200 Frelon

The SNCASE SE.3200 Frelon (Hornet) is a French helicopter built in the late 1950s. Intended to serve as a multirole helicopter for the French Army, Air Forces and Navy, two prototypes were built and flown before the project was dropped in favour of the SA 3210 Super Frelon.[1]

SE.3200 Frelon
Role Military transport helicopter
National origin France
Manufacturer SNCASE
Sud Aviation
First flight 10 June 1959
Number built 2
Developed into Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon

Design and development

The SNCASE SE.3200 Frelon was a heavy helicopter designed to equip the French Armed Forces, replacing the Sikorsky S-58 built under license by SNCASE (Société nationale des constructions aéronautiques du Sud-Est).

The specifications called for an aircraft of less than 5 tonnes gross weight. The prototypes were powered by three Turbomeca Turmo IIIB 750/800 shp turbines to avoid all risk of engine failure: production aircraft were to have used the 1000 hp Turmo IIC. The engines drove a single four blade rotor.[2]

Fuel was held in two large external tanks having a capacity of 1100 liters each. This left the fuselage clear for large loads. The rear fuselage was a swing-tailed unit, which opened to provide clear entry for payloads such as vehicles.[1] The Frelon was able to carry light vehicles, up to 24 fully equipped troops, or 15 stretchers and two attendants if used as an air ambulance. It was equipped with a fixed tricycle landing gear.[3]

Only two prototypes were built, the first one flying on 10 June 1959 at Paris – Le Bourget Airport.

Specifications

Data from [2][4]

General characteristics

  • Length: 15.19 m (49 ft 10 in) with rotor folded
  • Empty weight: 4,500 kg (9,920 lb)
  • Gross weight: 7,498 kg (16,530 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 8,001 kg (17,640 lb)
  • Powerplant: 3 × Turbomeca Turmo IIIB , 520 kW (700 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 14.99 m (49 ft 2 in)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 246 km/h (153 mph, 133 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 232 km/h (144 mph, 125 kn)
  • Ferry range: 1,300 km (810 mi, 700 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 4,700 m (15,400 ft) at all-up weight of 5647 kg (12,450 lbs)
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See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

  • List of helicopters

References
  1. Munson, K.; "Helicopters: and Other Rotorcraft Since 1907", revised Edition, Blandford (1973), Page 159
  2. Frelon SE.3200 Flight 27 May 1960
  3. http://aerostories.free.fr/giravia/helico/liron/liron04/ in French
  4. Sud Frelon Progress Flight 8 July 1960
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