The transport helicopter H-21 was widely used by the French forces during the Algerian war towards the end of the fifties. During that period first trials were made to use the helicopter as a weapons carrier - gunship - to give fire support to the troops, as well as carrying out ground attacks. Thanks to its capacity the H-21 was equipped with ample fire power including rocket launchers mounted to the fuselage and a combination of machine guns or a cannon.