old news....and probably end of one of famous aviation names
with approx 7.000 units total helicopter produced :sad:

All,

Just back from Helitech where they had a PZL SW4 on the stand. I think it looks fantastic. I have some info and photos of it which I will be putting on my blog later on.

Joel:ok:

Good news that they finally delivered one with approx 10 months delay:}

A link would be nice...

9Aplus,
I think It was a manufacturer owned machine.

Arrakis

Standby..................

I noticed that Rotorhub's attempt to hype-up this year's Helitech included a reference to this being "...the first time a military SW-4 has visited the UK."

I thought the only difference between the Siły Powietrzne RP's trainer SW-4s and civvy SW-4s was the paint job...? :E

I/C

There is bit more than paint.....
will add some pictures after JT to explain

Here you go folks.......

Helitech 2009 – PZL SW4

Joel:ok:

Tnx Tobias, nice work

Quote of the decade>
To see some "paint" difference, photos taken in PZL Swidnik Mar 2008.
http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/IMG_2827.jpg
http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/IMG_2826.jpg

Looks nice

Joel:ok:

JTobias and 9Aplus, :ok:

The leather inside looks nice. It's SP-SWV - c/n 600321.

Arrakis

Throttle still in the roof or did they move it to the collective?

Yellow one up there......

Took a peek at the SW4 at Helitech today - very nice machine! It's a shame they didn't exhibit a civvy version but even in basic trim, the 'purpose built' design of the SW4 wins hands down over the R66 in my book. If however, €1.1m is the price (appx. £951k today), then it's head on with a very good used AS350 or 50% more than a good used EC120 and 120% more than a top end used 206. I'm not sure I'd want to spend almost a million squids on one (even if I could!).

It'll be interesting to see where Frank positions the R66's price with the SW4 out there...


http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...y/IMG_0001.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...y/IMG_0002.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...y/IMG_0004.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...y/IMG_0005.jpg

only in best dreams, exhibited machine is over €1.6m
and
Above civil one not less than €1.25 m

Helicopter is real jewel, but production schedule, after sale support and business behavior of PZL Swidnik is night mare. :}

Are you sure about it?

Arrakis

Soooooo...not only do you have to remove your hand from the collective to get at the throttle, but you have to switch *cyclic* hands as well!

Ah, progress.

Was it impossible for them to set the ship up for a right-side pilot? Or would that have made the ship to be too "Astar-ish?"

I doubt the SW-4 is even on Frank's radar; he'll be more focused on the 434, 480 and - most of all - used 206s.

Shame the SW-4 never got the 650shp PW200 that was originally planned for it. Some glass would also help. We'll have to see whether Cascina Costa sees any value in retaining it as a smaller sibling to the Koala.

I/C

:sad: yes, ARRAKIS....

Cachina Costa is looking for cheap airframes for AW109, AW139
and place for AW101 final assembly (Polish military contract order)
W3A is on dead end thanks to that
SW5 project have no future
and SW4, taking bets....:suspect:

€1.25 m ???

A brand new EC-120B can be had for that price. I know which I would prefer.