The Eurocopter EC 155 B was original known as the Eurocopter AS 365 N4.
Eurocopter uses for their new developments of the helicopters the EC name. The EC 130 B4 for instance is a further development of the Eurocopter AS 350 family. In this series, at least the AS 350 BA, AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3 and EC 130 B4 are the current production models.
The EC225LP is a further development of the SA 330 family.
The following text is a part of the text about the EC 155 B1 at :
http://avia-dejavu.net/photo%20PH-EQU.htm
The Eurocopter EC 155 B is a development of the AS 365N Dauphin 2, with 40% larger cabin area, a new five-bladed Spheriflex main rotor with an extremely low vibration level and 'glass cockpit'. The EC155 B1 is powered by a pair of Turbomeca Arrius 2C2 turbine engines. The new generation of Fenestron tail rotor takes part in the decrease in external noise level. This tail rotor has 10 blades spaced irregularly around the hub. Development of the EC-155, initially known as AS-365N-4 Dauphin started in September 1996. The development of the AS365 N4 wide body helicopter was announced at International Paris Airshow in June 1997. A mockup of the N4 was shown at the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget and on 17 June 1997, the prototype EC155, F-WDFK, a rebuilt Dauphin, flew first at Marignane. The first pre-poduction EC155 B flew on 11 March 1998. The EC155 B1 is a development of the EC155 B with more powerful engines and improved performance at high altitude and in hot temperature conditions. Deliveries of the EC 155B1 version began in September 2002.
Copter wrote:Do they still build the AS.365 Dauphin type now they have the EC.155 ?
If I look at the nose this helicoptes looks more at a EC.155 to me (yes I know, the EC.155 is the new name for the Dauphin).
Does anyone know why it is called AS.365 instead of EC.155 ?
