Who is this git?
 

I know the 'worlds greatest helicopter' has been discussed plenty.
I have a couple of questions I would rather have experienced pilots answer:
Why no S76?
When did the Lynks become a 'production' helicopter?
Why no Blackhawk?
Why no Astar??
Why no H369?
Why no Mil 17? Hind??
What about the Puma?

Shawn Coyle I know and respect, the Mil 26 pilot I can laugh with, the historian knows his stuff, Dan Reyno knows his business.
BUT who is Q. Smith? Why is he the WORLD CHAMPION of PILOT and what is his history with helicopters. He sure has plenty of sarcastic comments about machines I would gather he has never even cleaned.
Is the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP of helicopter pilots much like the 'world series of baseball' for Britain? Us Aussies should get our own world champs together and do it somewhere challenging like the highlands of PNG, with a 200ft line thrown in, a bunch of brahman to collect, a drum of gas under a tree 100nm's out there with a buggered Garmin 50 and a dodgy drum pump with only one screwdriver somewhere under the seat, a night rescue off the GB reef in a longranger, some venison recovery. You get my drift?

I think you'll find his "history with helicopters" is great. I'm sure people will correct me if I'm wrong but he has been, and has trained World helicopter champions, he's been around the world.. twice, and broke some record doing it. He's been North pole to South pole I think 1 1/2 times, and broke some record doing that. Love him or hate him, he is one hell of a good pilot.

Sorry, couldnt resist
 

Why does that make him . It might mean he is a wealthy pilot but a fresh ppl could fly around the world if they had the money, and whats with the . Is that the same as making 1 1/2 skydives - he nailed the exit from the plane but ran into jet halfway down, still great exit.

sorry

As one of the people on the program, I have to say I was more than slightly surprised at the choice of helicopters. There was not any rationale presented as to why these were chosen - it seemed to be the producer's favorites.
And the technical knowledge of helicopters by the people producing the program was pretty low, something I tried to correct.

I had mixed emotions on the decision....although I love Hueys and was flying one at the time of the decision....I shall always be a Chinook pilot in Heart and Soul!

Sadly missed the program, I came to the conclusion that if I had 'Discovery' on TV then I would develop the 'Nuclear Submarine' suntan and never leave home! SAS you just miss those things swapping ends with the stab out!

TOD

I think its a matter of budget - maybe those were theonly ones they had enough archive film on - or could afford to rent for filming...

I agree - should have had the 500, bo105 and a lot of others

R22 one of the 10 greatest helicopters? come on....!

cue the robbie 22 fans for a 30 page debate on why the 22 is a top 10....... :ugh:

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Note, syncho eye rolling ..

just for the record, it's mike reyno, not dan.. mike's the owner/publisher of vertical magazine... :ok:

Why is he a git?

He may have that 'Wing commander' 'tache thing going on, but he seems like a decent bloke to me.

Are you a git?

Geezer not Git
 

Nope, I'm a geezer.
Mike not Dan... Right. My blue.
I'd just be nice to see an accurate representation of our industry - the real industry where men and women, are exposed to risk, living in shocking parts of the world and performing incredible feats of flying daily. Shawns illustration of hovering was excellent and now I assume SAS was flying the Iroquois?
Anyone with enough money and a Garmin can find their way to the North Pole. I have been close a couple of times but was too busy making a living to goof off and visit. The same is for the South Pole.
Now the lad who landed on Everest - he achieved something.
Its a shame it's jaded my impression of DC.

I didn't see the program,
Q, - or, - Tricky Dickie - did you say old boy?

The best? jesus you blokes lets start with the 47.

Charman of the Board. Just for your info the 'World Series' of baseball was named after the 'World Newspaper' in New York from many years back. regards JG

Skippy, Skippy, the best ever knew!
 

Yeah the B-47, I think I recall seeing an episode where, Skippy chucked the pilot out of the front seat, strapped in and flew through the Waratah national park solo looking for stranded hikers on a limestone ridge. If the Kangaroo can fly it how hard is/was it?

Go Skip Go!!!!!

:D

Max
I was the pilot Skippy threw out!!! That was a long time ago; 1967!!

Q.S is the son of Mary & Mike Smith, ex Royal Navy. Mike was an excellent pilot but quite mad, so it's not surprising that Q inherited those genes!:ok:

Finally we have tracked down Tony Bonner!
 

Tony Bonner? Is that you Nigel?, mate those shorts you wore were spray painted on! Would have made an emerg egress bloody difficult.

:ok:

Max

Haha that is classic!

Max
No, I'm not Tony! He was taught to start the 47 & then we would hop in & do the flying. As the 47 was on fixed floats, we would rock it on the ground so that it looked like Tony was flying it as the camera was angled upwards. All very basic in those days. The whole crew were a great bunch & we all had a ball.

If it wasn't for skippy i would'nt have become obsessed with helicopters (showing my age now) and my bank balance would be a lot healthier.Go skippy go my ar*+e.!.