Discovery Channel '10 Greatest Helicopters'
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Discovery Channel '10 Greatest Helicopters'
Discovery Channel is in the midst of filming a series called '10 Greatest...'.
The program is an hour long look at a variety of different vehicles, and helicopters come up as one of the vehicles.
I was approached by them to assist in the technical side, and agreed.
I'm putting this on pprune as when it comes out, I'll inevitably get pummelled for what's on the list, and what I've said about each type.
I just want to go on record as saying that the list was made up long before I got involved, and basically couldn't be changed - so - I'm not responsible for what was chosen. All I could do was talk about the unique characteristics of each one, and why it deserved to be on the list.
I haven't seen any cuts of the filming that was done, so that's about all I can add at this time.
Oh yes- someone will inevitably ask what was on the list- (in no particular order)
Skycrane
Chinook
Mi-26
Lama
Lynx
Jet Ranger
UH-1
Blackhawk
Apache
R-22/R-44
And no, there was no 'greatest helicopter' - I made sure they understood that.
Nice people to work with, and I think it will turn out well - certainly it will give people a look at a variety of different helicopters in one show.
The program is an hour long look at a variety of different vehicles, and helicopters come up as one of the vehicles.
I was approached by them to assist in the technical side, and agreed.
I'm putting this on pprune as when it comes out, I'll inevitably get pummelled for what's on the list, and what I've said about each type.
I just want to go on record as saying that the list was made up long before I got involved, and basically couldn't be changed - so - I'm not responsible for what was chosen. All I could do was talk about the unique characteristics of each one, and why it deserved to be on the list.
I haven't seen any cuts of the filming that was done, so that's about all I can add at this time.
Oh yes- someone will inevitably ask what was on the list- (in no particular order)
Skycrane
Chinook
Mi-26
Lama
Lynx
Jet Ranger
UH-1
Blackhawk
Apache
R-22/R-44
And no, there was no 'greatest helicopter' - I made sure they understood that.
Nice people to work with, and I think it will turn out well - certainly it will give people a look at a variety of different helicopters in one show.
Being a Chinook pilot....I can see why that particular aircraft is on the list. With the latest refurb program by the US Army...that old girl will be around for quite a while. Over 40 years so far and still going strong!
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Picking the 10 greatest helicopters ? Not an enviable task; I hope whoever made the selection is wearing Kevlar boxers...
When'll the episode be hitting the small screen ?
Cheers,
I/C
(Must resist...must resist...must resist...can't resist: what happened to the Loach and B47...dammit, back to the tantric meditation !!)
When'll the episode be hitting the small screen ?
Cheers,
I/C
(Must resist...must resist...must resist...can't resist: what happened to the Loach and B47...dammit, back to the tantric meditation !!)
also trying hard to resist, but.......
Mi 8 instead of 26 (most produced helicopter in the world) or both rather than both S64 and CH47.
B47 deserves it over the Robbo, and
Cobra being the reveloution it created as the first, longest and most produced gunship deserves it over the Apache doesn't it?
Lynx??? Strange one.
Actually, you have a damn good list there, and ANY list will have it's buts and maybes.
Mi 8 instead of 26 (most produced helicopter in the world) or both rather than both S64 and CH47.
B47 deserves it over the Robbo, and
Cobra being the reveloution it created as the first, longest and most produced gunship deserves it over the Apache doesn't it?
Lynx??? Strange one.
Actually, you have a damn good list there, and ANY list will have it's buts and maybes.
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I've had a minor involvement in this and lobbied for the inclusion of the 47, but the Producer maintains this is not a history lesson for purists, it's aimed at a wide general audience. Big is good, phwoar-factor and heli-porn are the driving forces. The Robinsons are in there to represent the second helicopter revolution, affordability. As to when it will air, they've only just started shooting and it's not scheduled yet.
Join Date: Aug 2004
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10 Greatest Helicopters
Here is my two cents:
Bell 47 - Opened the door for the rest to follow.
UH-1/B204/5/212 Series - my favorite and the Jeep of helicopters.
UH-1 Cobra - The first and still a strong weapon system with USMC.
CH-47 Chinook - Versatile, powerful and still going strong.
Mi-8 - Keeps going and going.
Mi-24 - I still have nightmares about one of these on my tail.
S-61/H-3 Sea King - Versatile, very ahead of its time when it came out.
S64/CH-54 Skycrane - Innovation, an example of doing one thing very well.
Mi-26 - Big. big big.
UH-60 Blackhawk - Tough, fast, powerful.
Bell 47 - Opened the door for the rest to follow.
UH-1/B204/5/212 Series - my favorite and the Jeep of helicopters.
UH-1 Cobra - The first and still a strong weapon system with USMC.
CH-47 Chinook - Versatile, powerful and still going strong.
Mi-8 - Keeps going and going.
Mi-24 - I still have nightmares about one of these on my tail.
S-61/H-3 Sea King - Versatile, very ahead of its time when it came out.
S64/CH-54 Skycrane - Innovation, an example of doing one thing very well.
Mi-26 - Big. big big.
UH-60 Blackhawk - Tough, fast, powerful.
The CH-34 ought to be in there somewhere too....
as well as the Skeeter, Dragonfly, and H-19....maybe even the Fairey Rotordyne.
as well as the Skeeter, Dragonfly, and H-19....maybe even the Fairey Rotordyne.
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"And nothing from Eurocopter/Aerospats?"
Lama?
(or is that Sud-Aviation?)
Lama?
(or is that Sud-Aviation?)
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I totally agree with the comments so far. I would have liked to see the Bell 47 included in the list. I have very fond memories of the "Whirlybird". Why the R22/44 and Lynx is there is beyond me! The Westland Scout, the old workhorse, should definately have been included.
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212Man....yep, the Lama was a Sud machine. I'm sort of surprised the the AS350 didn't make it. And I agree the B47 should have been there definitely...it is the one that made helicopters 'popular' and appeared in so many areas of operations. Lynx? Hmmm...I'll hold comment on that one and I believe the S61 should have been there also.