Aérospatiale SA 365 C Dauphin 2
Aérospatiale · France · first flew 1975 · helicopter
The SA 365 C Dauphin 2 was an early production variant of Aérospatiale's twin-turbine Dauphin 2, featuring the type's characteristic fenestron shrouded tail rotor and retractable undercarriage.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Streamlined teardrop fuselage with retractable tricycle undercarriage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Early twin-engine variant of the Dauphin 2 with Arriel turboshafts
- Fenestron shrouded tail rotor in the fin — a defining Dauphin characteristic
- Streamlined teardrop fuselage with retractable tricycle undercarriage
Defined by the fenestron tail rotor embedded in the fin, streamlined ovoid fuselage, and retractable undercarriage; twin engine exhausts above the rotor mast distinguish it from single-engine Dauphin variants.
Specifications
- The Aérospatiale SA 365 C Dauphin 2 has a length of 11.44 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.93 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 296 km/h (184 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The SA 365 C was the first production twin-engine Dauphin 2 variant, developed from the single-engine SA 360 Dauphin. It first flew in 1975 and introduced the fenestron tail rotor that would become a hallmark of all subsequent Dauphin designs. The SA 365 C was quickly followed by the improved SA 365 N with uprated Arriel 1C engines, which became the dominant production standard.
Variants
The SA 365 C led to the SA 365 N Dauphin 2 and the HH-65 Dolphin for the US Coast Guard, as well as the military AS 365 N3 and the Eurocopter EC155.
Where you'll see it
Operated by civil and some military customers; the SA 365 N and its descendants achieved much wider service than the initial C variant.
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- Aérospatiale AS365 Dauphin 2
- Boeing AH-64 Apache
- Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
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