The skis come out of a helicopter in The World Is Not Enough, and the helicopter is a real, working aircraft. The Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin 2 is a medium-weight twin-engine helicopter, and it is the type that carries Elektra King and Bond to the survey lines. It is not a purchase for most readers; it is worth knowing for its engineering and its looks.
In the film
Pierce Brosnan’s Bond and Sophie Marceau’s Elektra King jump out of the helicopter on skis to check the survey lines. A fan wiki in our research adds that a dark-green AS365 is Elektra King’s personal transport, bringing her to the Azerbaijani excavation. Catalogue confidence on the exact model is medium, so we describe the type rather than a single airframe.
The details
Two engines. Aérospatiale developed the Dauphin 2 as a twin-engine version of the single-engine SA 360. SKYbrary lists two Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshaft engines for the later models, which gives the redundancy that passenger and offshore operators want.
The enclosed tail rotor. The Dauphin uses a Fenestron, a ducted fan in the tail, in place of an open tail rotor. A UK operator in our research lists the enclosed tail rotor among the safety advantages of the type, and it gives the aircraft its distinctive profile.
Size. SKYbrary gives a main rotor diameter of 11.50m, a length of 13.20m and a height of 3.50m. A UK operator lists up to eight seats in a standard layout, and up to twelve in high density.
A long career. The type has been used by a wide range of civil and military operators since the 1970s, and it is still produced by Airbus Helicopters as the AS365.
Owning it now
Buying a Dauphin means an aircraft broker, a pre-purchase inspection and an operator’s licence, not a basket. A more realistic plan is to charter one: a UK operator in our research lists the AS365 N2 and N3 for load-carrying and winch work, with a 3.3-hour endurance and a cruise speed of 140 knots. Models and photography are cheaper ways to enjoy the shape.
A note on the search button. The button below is a general second-hand search; it will mostly return models, parts and memorabilia. Treat it as a starting point for collectors.
Specifications
| Maker | Aérospatiale, now Airbus Helicopters (as the AS365) |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium-weight twin-engine helicopter |
| Engines | Two Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshafts (SKYbrary, later models) |
| Main rotor | 11.50m |
| Length | 13.20m |
| Height | 3.50m |
| Seats | Up to 8; up to 12 in high density (operator listing) |
Questions
What helicopter is in The World Is Not Enough?
An Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin 2, according to our catalogue evidence, carrying Bond and Elektra King to the survey lines.
Is the Dauphin still made?
Yes, as the Airbus Helicopters AS365 Dauphin, which was formerly known as the Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin 2.
How many engines does a Dauphin 2 have?
Two. It is a twin-engine development of the earlier single-engine SA 360.
See The World Is Not Enough and Pierce Brosnan’s Bond for more. Background is at SKYbrary.
