Ciao Denissimo! Sorry if I didn't make it clear .. the 280C was being displayed at the 1976 show which back in those days was held at the Air Force base in Iruma. In more recent years the event has been hosted at Nagoya.
Is then the 280 series, including the current 'FX' model, your preferred choice in terms of overall handling when it comes to the Enstrom products?
Heli1: That was most likely the 1986 HAI meeting at Anaheim and I would have been with him - I think that was one of the last shows he attended. That was also the last time I saw 'Suggs and Smith' (PHI/Evergreen).
The Colonel elected to retire in South Africa (preferring the warmer climes) and is fair-to-middling.
ps: Next time I am in Blighty I plan to visit the museum so, perhaps I will see you there.