On November 21, 1960, a solitary helicopter soared above the rugged peaks of the Himalayas, defying the thin air and treacherous winds at nearly 20,000 feet.

This was the Aérospatiale Alouette III, piloted by the renowned French aviator Jean Boulet. Amidst the snowcovered mountains, Boulet skillfully maneuvered the helicopter, performing takeoffs and landings in an extreme environment where few dared to venture.

But its capabilities didn't stop there.

The Alouette III was also the first helicopter ever to be capable of deploying antitank missiles and light torpedoes, providing the French Navy with its first helicopter offering real offensive power.

From the highest and coldest of mountains to the semidesert regions, whether launching missile strikes or rescuing beleaguered forces, the Alouette III light utility helicopter could do it all, all over the world.



Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, topsecret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.

As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.

All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.