W-3A Sokol helicopter for Algerian Air Force

PZL Swidnik continues to build and test flying W-3A Sokol helicopters for the Algerian AF. The most recent example noted in April 2014 wears the Polish registration SP-SIN as well as the Algerian AF serial AT-36. Algeria are thought to have ordered 8 Sokol helicopters.

These helicopters wear a sand and brown camouflage colour scheme which also features several dayglo orange parts. The first example was test flying in early 2013.

The following table shows details of the first seven examples known to date - updates welcomed

AT-12 c/n 371001 - test flown as SP-SWL - delivered 31.4 via Karlsruhe, Germany
AT-14 c/n 371002 - test flown as SP-SIC
AT-18 c/n 371003 - test flown as SP-SIE
AT-22 c/n 371004 - test flown as SP-SIF
AT-28 c/n 371005 - test flown as SP-SII - delivered 3.14 via Lyon, France
AT-32 c/n 371006 - test flown as SP-SIL - delivered 31.4 via Karlsruhe, Germany
AT-36 c/n 371007 - test flown as SP-SIN

Note the non sequential Algerian AF serial numbers.

photo copyright Jacques Lienard - click here to see original

more photos of Algerian AF W-3A Sokols here

Steve

Philippine Air Force - W-3 Sokol test flying

PZL Swidnik are currently test flying W-3 Sokol helicopters getting ready for delivery to the Philippine Air Force.

At least four examples are currently at Rzeszow airport in the south of Poland - they are painted overall olive drab with full Philippine Air Force titles and markings.

Seen flying this week at Rzeszow was W-3 Sokol serial 310921 also wearing the Polish test registration SP-SWP.

Three more examples are hangared and appear ready to delivery, serials 310919, 310920 and 310922.

The Philippine Air Force ordered eight examples of the W-3 Sokol for a utility helicopter role. The remaining four Sokols will be delivered in late 2012 ( maybe November ).


LINK to  more great photos by Maciej Goclon of Philippine AF W-3 Sokol helicopters


UPDATE 14.2.12 - These four Philippine Air Force W-3 Sokol helicopters were airfreighted out of Rzeszow inside Volga Dnepr An-124-100 RA-82044 on 13.2.12 - it is believed that they will be based at Clark Air Force Base. 



Steve

PZL Swidnik announces new W-3A Sokol order

January 2012 - PZL Swidnik ( part of the AgustaWestland group ) have announced that five new build W-3A Sokol helicopters have been ordered by the Polish Air Force for VIP use. The new helicopters will be delivered by the end of 2013 and will replace the remaining Mil Mi-8 currently used in the VIP role.

The Polish Air Force already operate two W-3A Sokols in the VIP role, serials 0915 and 0916 - these two are painted in a VIP white/red colour scheme and were delivered in 2008/2009.

More details on the PZL Swidnik press release on the link below,

PZL Swidnik Press Release January 2012


Steve

New W-3A Sokol delivered to Chile

PZL Swidnik have recently delivered a new build W-3A Sokol helicopter to Chile. The helicopter is c/n 37 09 17 and was registered in Chile as CC-ACJ on 28th September 2010.

The helicopter is operated by CONAF the national forestry organisation  and is the first W-3 Sokol to be sold to South America.

This Sokol was initially test flown at Swidnik as SP-SWV before training as SP-SYS.

Photo Link to CONAF W-3A Sokol as SP-SWV

For photos and video of this new W-3A Sokol in Chile please follow the links below


http://www.modocharlie.com/2010/09/y-llego-el-sokol/


http://www.aviaciontotal.cl/2010/10/video-vuelo-de-certificacion-del-sw-3a-sokol-de-conaf/




Steve in UK

Poles at Son Bonet, Mallorca, Spain - August 2010

Noted at Son Bonet airfield ( a few miles North of Palma city ) on the island of Mallorca, Spain on 14th August 2010 were

EC-JUM - PZL Swidnik W-3AM Sokol c/n 370707 - this Sokol helicopter was built in late 1996 and test flew at Swidnik as SP-SYL (2) prior to delivery to South Korea for use by Daewoo as HL9257.

In 2006 it was sold onto Spain and became EC-JUM, owned by Sky Helicopters - it is now operated on behalf of the Govern de les Illes Balears ( the local government for the Ballearic Islands ) and is coded "H01" and is on standby for local emergency use and firefighting duties.

Also seen at Son Bonet was An-2 c/n 1G190-59 - this aircraft was built in 1981 and delivered to the USSR as CCCP-84627. In 1997 it was transferred to the Ukrainian aircraft register as UR-84627.
 

 
During 2005 this An-2 UR-84627 arrived at Son Bonet airfield on the island of Mallorca together with several other Ukraine registered An-2 aircraft. After sitting in the sun withdrawn from use for several years the airport authorities decided to auction these aircraft - today UR-84627 is the only example left. The registration has been overpainted from the fuselage but is still visible under the port wing. Note the "IV" marking - this may be connected with the auction.

The other three former Ukrainian An-2 that were sold off at Son Bonet were

UR-31497 - sold and become SP-OOH
UR-81649 - sold and became SP-FAV
UR-TAS - sold and became SP-AIN


I wonder if UR-84627 will ever fly again.


Steve