Thud, it's true; I'm not sure of the exact details but we do still operate a number of Bell 47G Sioux which were first operational sometime in the fifties, if memory serve me correct.
They were Army choppers but were returned (or transfered) to the RNZAF when the NZ AAC was done away with. I think that was in 1973.
Today they're used for training. I guess if you have the nerve to go up in one you can handle anything! A mate of mine pranged one a while back; I'll email her for details and get back to you.
Edited to update figures...
Tired old brain is a decade out - the first delivery was Dec. 17, 1965, but it's still quite venerable!
Last edited by BlueWolf; 20th Jan 2003 at 06:37.