A couple of pics from a Commemorative Air Force Fly In. Really liked the Russian Sikorsky. I grew up flying with an uncle who started using helicopters in the 70's for ranching.They used the choppers in conjunction with cowboys on the ground with radios, to herd cattle. He hired Huey Cobra pilots with Nam experience, and they could make a coyote crazy running it in circles. He was using Bell Jet Rangers back then. Lots of fun for a teenage boy. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Sikorsky S-55. Radial engined chopper! Anyone remember S-58 from the tv show "Riptide"? I'm not sure which is uglier but I like them Image Unavailable, Please Login
I would say Blue Thunder looks more like a Cobra than an Apache. The "Stock" look of the Gazelle looks kind of strange almost like an MH6 little bird. As for air wolf your totally right its basicly a "Sleeper" nobody would expect something like that to pack a punch. It may not look like an Apache but its capablies are very simlar. Air wolf is kind of unrealistic compared with Blue Thunder.
What do you mean? It was ahead of its time! Almost James Bond-ish. Contrast the weapon delivery systems with the F-22 Raptor with Airwolf. We are used to seeing missiles exposed hanging from wing racks and gatling cannons under the pilot for decades, that it is just the accepted norm.
I was finding myself lulled into a stupor by the Clinton/Obama debate, and working with the name Hillary remembered this thing - the Hiller Hornet: http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/hiller_hj-1.php It had little 50hp or so ramjets at the rotor tips to run the blades. The advantages included very light weight and little or no torque effects. The disadvantes included a horrific amount of noise and a bright orange flame ring when operated at night. Not exactly the military's idea of "stealth". Built several plastic models of this as a kid - I guess the tiny size and the jet engines fascinated me. I remember some people suggesting that it could be hovered over the orange crops in Florida in case of an impending freeze - seriously.
Yeah but that anti missile defense system is alittle out of this world. the rest of the chopter is pretty much like an Apache or Comanche except those weird looking helmits.
I believe it's an Augusta A109. I've seen them configured for exec and medivac uses. My vote is for the MD500E.
Have you guys ever been in an AS350 A-Star? I have flown a few different types and this is by far the best. The 500 is fun though you can land anywhere. I have a weak spot for the Dauphin though, sleek looking helicopters. Nate Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've been up in the Sheriff's EC135 they also have a EC130 and a AS350 in the fleet Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Looks like the one from Jurassic Park, lol. I like the Sikorsky ones (all of them!) as well as the Bell 430.
They're made by MD Helicopters out of Mesa, Arizona. Three variants, the MD520N, the MD600N, and the MD900 Explorer. Go to www.mdhelicopters.com if you're interested.
That's not an EC130. Its an EC120. Yeah, I'm anal, I know. Best all around helicopter is the Bell JetRanger III. In the helicopter world its the equivalent of the Ford F150 pickup truck. Solid, easy to fly, reliable, and it gets out of bed and goes to work every day like its supposed to. And, believe it or not, Bell announced recently that they're stopping production of them this year to focus on the 407 and the LongRanger. Which, as far as I'm concerned, broke the Fourth Seal of the Apocalypse.
