The SO Ariel I was an experimental helicopter first flown in 1947, in which the engine drove a compressor and the low-pressure air output was ducted to a combustion chamber at the end of each of the three rotor blades, where the air was mixed with fuel and ignited. The improved Ariel II first flew in March 1949 and is on display in the Hall des Hélicoptères at this super museum. A final version, Aerial III was also developed and the knowledge gained from the programme was used in the development of the Sud-Ouest Djinn.

Eventually allocated the test registration F-WFDF. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

Prototype bonanza in the Musée de l'Air. Behind the cute little helicopter you can see, clockwise: Super Frelon, Gyroplane, Mystere IV, Mirage IIIV, Trident I, Mirage G8, Griffon II, and Mirage IIIA.

This was the first of two protypes of this jet-powered helicopter. It first flew on 21st May 1950 and is now preserved in the Musee de l'Air et de l'Espace