To: Nick lappos
As I had indicated I read the information I referred to in Av Leak many years ago. There was no indication in the article regarding power source. I assumed and I was wrong. At least I got the Israeli part right. Regarding your night combat flights I assume that they took place in Viet Nam where they have a high level of humidity. In Iran it was bone dry and very conducive to the generation of static electricity. I had several night flights in the 214 and it glowed in the dark. Even though I told Bell engineering about the static build-up on the 214 and the J model I do not believe they ever did anything about it and if they didn’t the masts are still magnetized and the standby compasses and the VORs don’t work right.
Regarding the statement in the advert that the ground troops (read enemy) can't see the helicopter at night. This is true only if the helicopter is flying in line with the horizon. As soon as it starts to maneuver and the top of the disc is exposed the pilot is a sitting duck.
[ 07 November 2001: Message edited by: Lu Zuckerman ]