MotoArt has added a new helicopter to the fleet - the rugged and reliable Aérospatial SA 330J Puma. Introducing N6973C, formerly D-HAXJ, a Puma that served with the German Border Patrol for 31 years and in Afghanistan and Iraq with a US military contractor for another 10.
During the 1960’s, to meet a French Army requirement for an all-weather troop and cargo carrying helicopter, Sud Aviation developed several prototypes and pre-production models of this four-bladed, twin engined utility helicopter during the 1960s. The first production SA 330 Puma entered the skies in September 1968; deliveries to the French army began in 1969. It was a commercial success and continued to be produced by Aérospatiale, with licensed and unlicensed derivatives built in Romania and South Africa. The Puma has seen combat all over the world by many different armies and in several theaters, including the Gulf and Falklands Wars, as well as in civilian uses. Throughout most of the 1970s, the SA 330 Puma was Europe’s best selling transport helicopter.
Our newest aircraft, an Aérospatial SA 330J Puma, was built in 1976 and registered as D-HAXJ. In January 1977, it joined the Bundesgrenzschutz (German Border Patrol) fleet. The BGS, established in 1951, protected the border, airports, and foreign embassies. Their special detachments, such as BGS-9, were ready for terrorist or hostage situations at any given moment. In 2005, it was renamed and reformed as the Bundespolizei (BPOL) or Federal Police, and our helicopter remained in service with them until 2008. EP Aviation purchased D-HAXJ in 2008, re-registered it as N6973C, and placed it under US military contract to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq until 2019.
MotoArt recovered N6973C earlier this year from its resting place in Florida and is honored to have the opportunity to share it with fans of this dependable and versatile helicopter. Don't miss adding the Aérospatial SA 330J to the collection.
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