The Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) operated five SAR Alouete 3s, all assigned to the SAR flight at Leeuwarden air base in the nothern province of Friesland, hence the Frisian flag furnished stabilizers. This H-81 was delivered to the KLu on 8 July 1966 and was withdrawn from use at its homebase on 18 March 1994. Following a year-long storage period at Woensdrecht, the Alouette was sold to the Pakistan Navy as 1381 on 9 August 1994.

This KLu SAR Flight Alouette was an unusual visitor to RAF Leuchars' 1989 Battle of Britain Airshow.

Dutch tulips in May. Photo: Arie Kraak / KLu

Built in 1966. To Pakistan as 1381 in 1994.

Later sold to Pakistan as 1381.

SAR Flight aircraft

Scanned from slide

For a great many years the Alouette was the SAR helicopter of the Netherlands AF. It was also stationed on the Wadden Isles off the north coast of the Netherlands.