How things have changed... or they haven't.

[VH-XXX]

From the Herald (Sun), April 1986.

[Tickle]

Thanks for sharing that, it was very interesting. I had no idea they were testing an N series way back in 1986. Must have been a little disappointing to have had to stick with the C series for so long after testing that.

Love the comment about heat-seeking missles.

[industry insider]

I would like to see a demonstration of the 1500kg winch.....

[VH-XXX]

We've come a long way with cameras since then. They could read a rego from 300 metres. Nowdays we can read a car rego from Space!

[Saint Jack]

The Singapore registered Dauphin in the newspaper article is a demonstrator belonging to Samaero (just visible on the engine cowls), which was part of Eurocopter. Apart from a very brief period in the early 1980's with an AS350, they were never an operator. Samaero began business at Seletar Airport and moved to a purpose-built facility at the Loyang Industrial Estate when it was developed to be a centalised location for aviation support companies. This concept has fallen by the wayside as more companies, including Samaero, now re-named as Eurocopter SE Asia and Bell Helicopter Asia move to the newly created Seletar Aerospace Park.

[Pandalet]

"It is pretty, it is fast, let's buy some!" one pilot said

Well, at least what the pilots want hasn't changed a lot...

[John Eacott]

Carry 12 armed men

I wonder who believes some of the tripe that car salesmen make up, or news reporters actually believe

And by the time the night sun, winch and FLIR were bolted on the cruise speed was just a little slower than quoted, too........