Monday 11th July 2011

You Know You Want To... 1980 Bell 222

Traffic at Goodwood or Silverstone still putting you off?

---

That Chim looks a bit understated, eh?

Improved road access to the British Grand Prix in recent years means that the 1999 record of 4,200 helicopter 'movements' in one day will probably never be broken, but the GP remains one of the few occasions when it's philosophically acceptable for PHers to leave the car at home.

Apparently it's possible to book a 'taxi ride' in one to Silverstone for the GP for something like £300 (Where from? Ed?), but of course we have an idea which is far more expensive, time-consuming, and complicated...

If, like me, you were in your early teens in the mid-Eighties then you might recognise a Bell 222. If you don't then try to imagine this one in DuPont 'Phantom Grey Metallic' with a 'Pearl Grey' (thanks Wikipedia) underside, some extra air intakes and various other guns and nozzles. Oh yes, were talking about arriving at the British Grand Prix in your very own replica Airwolf.

Controls fall easily to hand, but what do they do?

Of course, unlike the one we watched Jan Michael Vincent's character fly on TV it won't be able to go supersonic (apparently they struggle to do 150mph) or reach the edge of space (umm...because that's impossible), and carrying replica weapons might upset the authorities. Oh and of course it won't make all those cool wailing and screeching noises as you swoop over the crowds either. There are some other problems too, like the fact that this one will probably cost the thick-end of £600,000, but tell me you can't imagine a boozy race-day commute in that passenger compartment?

So, all that's stopping you from wowing the crowd with your arrival at the Grand Prix next year in your own Airwolf is a huge amount of cash, a paint job, some grey flight overalls, and a helicopter pilots licence. Actually, no. If you do go to all that trouble then you still won't be able to fly in to Silverstone on race day unless you're a commercial pilot. (Dammit. Health and safety gorn mad again... Ed.)

More tea, vicar?

No, I DEFINITELY said Junction 15A...

 

[Trusty Steed]

Please pass this information on to a certain Mr Bamford, who has a factory near Rocester in Staffordshire! He must have the noisiest helicopter flying and this would make such a difference! Would prefer Air wolf than that clackety rattly thing he uses!!

[mybrainhurts]

Stop this immediately...

How many times do I have to say this? Helicopters are the work of the devil. They were Not Meant To Be...

As one astute bod on here neatly defined...half a million mechanical parts, all going in the wrong direction

Just stop it, right...?

[wab172uk]

Loved Airwolf.

[J4CKO]

I have long since harboured an idea that private helicopters were invesnted to keep down the number of rich people, no natrual predators, good food and medical care and they can go on for a long time, ok drink and drugs claim a few but if they avoid that particular trap they are pretty inveulnerable until they think "Hmm, a helicopter, that seems a good idea" and at that point they gain a whole new set of hazards like mechanical failure, poor weather, hills, pilot error, other aviation traffic, stupidity, power lines, sabotage etc etc. I think this also applies to a certain extent to fix wing aircarft but if you want to do it properly, a helicopter is needed.

Not to disrespect all the people, the proffessionals that work in civil aviation who I think do a good job and am sure a lot of private pilots are just as dilligent but there does seem to be a tendency for private individuals to get it wrong in a spectacular and tragic manner.

"For that reason, im oot"

[STiG911]

Best 80's show ever! (Good as Knightrider was)
So want one.

• Hums Airwolf theme*

[NobleLord]

The 222 is an old piece of junk... this is what use when I need to go anywhere quickly: http://www.airharrods.com/charter/services_charter...

Enjoy

NL

[volvic]

Yes please! ^

[j333evo]

You can get taxi flights to Silverstone from Cranfield Airport EGTC which is off J14 & J13 of M1 near Milton Keynes. Or Oxford Aiport EGTK & Coventry Airport EGBE, may be others.

Bamford uses a SK76 helicopter.

[Stu R]

I try to avoid anything which beats the air into submission and calls it flying...

... not really, I love helis, shame they're so damned expensive to get a licence for, always looked forward to getting a heli out to a rig / ship in my O&G days.

[Reardy Mister]

Regarding the cost of an air taxi, we enquired about this at the FOS and were quoted 339 per person from Bournemouth international to the FOS, which I think was for 3 passengers to a chopper. That included Entry on Saturday or Sunday.

It goes up considerably for Silverstone because they jack the landing fees right up. And you cant just land 300m away in a neighbouring field either, the air space surrounding is restricted for takeoffs and landing.

[Davey S2]

But what would win in a dogfight between Airwolf and Blue Thunder?

Strigfellow Hawk vs Chief Brody from Jaws

[alexpa]

I'd prefer a Eurocopter X3 250mph

[wab172uk]

Davey S2 said:

But what would win in a dogfight between Airwolf and Blue Thunder?

Strigfellow Hawk vs Chief Brody from Jaws

Airwolf

[bob1179]

NobleLord said:

The 222 is an old piece of junk... this is what use when I need to go anywhere quickly: http://www.airharrods.com/charter/services_charter...

Enjoy

NL

Didn't the S76 have a bit of a gearbox 'issue' in it's earlier days (I'm sure new ones don't mind)? They look chuffing awesome though.

If only I had the cash...

[EcosseBMW]

300 quid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice and cheap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Crunchy Nutter]

Now I'm REALLY gutted I didn't win the Euromillions on Friday.

[Dodgey_Rog]

Personally, i'm a Sikorsky man myself........

[LukeSi]

My plan exactly, when I win the Euro millions on tuesday, I am going to buy a 222, get the most powerful engines that will fit it, completely rebuild it from the ground up into airwolf.

[JonRB]

Davey S2 said:

But what would win in a dogfight between Airwolf and Blue Thunder?

Strigfellow Hawk vs Chief Brody from Jaws

Depends whether you are fighting in the real world with real physics, or in the pretend fantasy world that Airwolf inhabited.

If the former than Blue Thunder as it was completely plausible and Airwolf was simply impossible; it's simply not physically possible for a conventional helicopter to do what Airwolf was meant to be able to do.

[tog]

wab172uk said:

Davey S2 said:

But what would win in a dogfight between Airwolf and Blue Thunder?

Strigfellow Hawk vs Chief Brody from Jaws

Airwolf

Airwolf did win:

11 episodes of Blue Thunder v 79 episodes of Airwolf