Chinese Amphibious Helicopter

[rmac]

Something big and green (Merlin size or larger) flew straight down the middle of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong today and landed on the water next to the conference centre in Wanchai.

Was on the water for a bit and then cranked up and flew off again...any ideas ?

[dead_pan]

A picture would be helpful

[CoffmanStarter]

Rmac ...

Look like this ?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Super_Frelon_4.jpg

If so ...

Aérospatiale Super Frelon but built in China and known there as a Z-8

[rmac]

Sorry I was on the treadmill at my gym in the IFC and watched from afar..big, green and floats on water (on purpose) is the best that I can manage.

[Trim Stab]

coffman just beat me to it - but probably a Changze Z8. As Coff says, chinese licenced build of Super Frelon

[rmac]

Coffman,

I posted just before you did. About the same size, no prominent radome on the front though.

[airborne_artist]

Could it have been a Changhe Z-8/Z-8F, which is a development of the Super Frelon SA 321 Super Frelon?

Z-8:

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/changhez8transport/images/1-image-1.jpg

Super Frelon of the French Navy:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Super_Frelon_4.jpg

[rmac]

Just looked it up online, it is amphibious, thats the one then, thanks guys..

[CoffmanStarter]

Hi Trim and AA ... Careful chaps well be "branded" spotters next :}

[CoffmanStarter]

Rmac ... Have a word with yourself old chap ... on a treadmill indeed :=

[Tiger_mate]

The AC313 is a new design very similar to the Super Frelon. There are green Z8s in service.

[rmac]

Depressing that the Chinese have now got stuff with better capability than we have...although keeping salt water corrosion at bay must be a nightmare..

[Fareastdriver]

Way back in 1977 there was a line of them waiting in a hanger at Aerospatiale in Marignane They had been bought and were in Chinese markings awaiting clearance from Washington.

The clue as to why is in the rotor system. All French products normally have a rotor turning clockwise from above. The Super Frelon goes anti-clockwise because the rotor system is licenced from and at that time was built by Sikorsky which is why Washington had to give approval for them to be delivered.

[Broadsword***]

Bit of rhinoplasty wouldn't go amiss.

[airborne_artist]

Hi Trim and AA ... Careful chaps well be "branded" spotters next http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/badteeth.gif

I prefer the term "enthusiast" :\

[Tankertrashnav]

In 1968 I flew over Hong Kong harbour in one of these which was operated by the RHKAAF, although we didnt land on the water on that occasion.

http://www.helikitnews.com/issues/alou.jpg

But I'm guessing it wasn't an Alouette 3 ;)

[NutLoose]

Do they operate the Mi14?

WoR: Russian Amphibious Helicopters Hunt Subs Efficiently - YouTube

[Tiger_mate]

If you ask you tube for 'Haze helicopter crash' , you will see what can happen when helicopters and water get too intimate.

[hanoijane]

I hope I'm not being racist, but Chinese helicopters smell awful inside. And they don't paint the interior of the cockpits that nice calming shade of green you get in Russian products.

From an interior design perspective, I can't recommend them at all. Sorry.

[500N]

Hanoi Jane

That is racists, shame on you !

(Only joking :O).

[hanoijane]

No, you misunderstand.

I suspect that the Chinese are probably the least smelly people on earth. How they achieve this I have no idea 'cos they don't seem to like taking a shower. I guess they enjoy baths.

But their helicopters seem to smell of rotten tea eggs. And if you don't know what a tea egg is you'll have no idea what I mean.

That damn Super Frelon thing has a cunningly-disguised 40 foot drop between the cockpit and the place where the non-pilots play. French designers. Idiots, all of them.

[Load Toad]

Was it any of these:
Government Flying Service - Aircraft (http://www.gfs.gov.hk/eng/aircraftmenu.htm)

[Dan Winterland]

Z8s operate from Sek Kong sometimes.

[Cabe LeCutter]

Got some bad news for you rmac.Your prescription needs renewing.:}

The helicopter was a GREY Super Puma L2 Reg B-HRM of the Hong Kong Government Flying Service that landed on the HKCEC Heliport, about 15 feet above the Victoria Harbour.:p

The Heliport has been in operation for about 18 months and is used by GFS only at the moment.

Heads down, look out for the flack

[Fareastdriver]

I would be surprised to see a Z8 as far south as Hong Kong; there being no heavy navy or marine involvement in the SAR. As ClC says, a Super Puma L2. The PLA at Sek Kong only operate Z9s.

[Bronx]

Thread in Rotorheads >>

Hong Kong Government Flying Service (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/537063-hong-kong-government-flying-service.html)

[Boudreaux Bob]

Think about trying to land on the water to "Dip" with a Sea State of say maybe "Sea State Six". That would be a thrill in anyone's book.

[John Farley]

Depressing that the Chinese have now got stuff with better capability than we have

Dunno the we you refer to. But I have often watched RAF Chinooks exercising on the sea from my house which is on the south coast beach.