Do you remember.......

[lrogers]

.......the old TV show Airwolf? I just finished converting my little T-Rex 450 into a model of the Airwolf. I had the first test flights today and it looked good in the air. I had some trouble with the retactable landing gear, but I think I got that sorted out now.

For some reason, there were very few guys/ladies at the field today so I wasn't able to get any inflight shots, just this one on the bench.

[gerti]

Cool! Do we call you Stringfellow Hawk now?

[lrogers]

Call me anything you like except late for dinner!

[drumpriest]

WOOT! I sure do, LOVED that show. That's excellent!

[lrogers]

It was too late last night whan I posted this, it was supposed to go in the "around the coffee pot" thread. Any one know how to move it?
I discovered some interesting facts about the Bell 222 used in the TV series while I was building this one. After the show was cancelled, all the Airwolf bits were removed from the 222 and sold to a collector. The helo went back into commercial service as an air ambulance. Sadly, it was involved in a crash and was destroyed. The entire flight crew was killed.

[Stytooner]

That looks very cool, Larry. You are getting high tech now with retractable gear.

I saw about a week ago, where someone was selling a full size replica on Ebay. The listing had lots of nice closeup shots. I don't seem to find it now though.

[leehljp]

Post moved to ATCP as requested.

Good looking machine! How are the jet engines?

I was kinda expecting and link to a YouTube to watch it fly! Post one when you can.

[ironhat]

I could go for a vid clip of the helo in action and you at the stick(s) as well.

[gsmittle]

Does it have "whisper mode?" I think that's what they called it on the show....

Are the missile racks operative?

Great looking bird! I keep wanting to get into R/C, but the Chief Financial Officer draws the line at more than one expensive hobby.

g.

[lrogers]

Being electric, I guess it is in whisper mode, especially compared to my nitro birds. Again, being electric, it does sound a bit like a turbine on spool up.

The retractable landing gear has been a royal pain, but it looks so good!

If I get out this weekend with John, maybe I can get him to soot some video.

No, the guns/missiles are static. The AMA frowns on any air to ground firings. That is not the case in other countries. The German firm, Vario, makes a large Airwolf that has FULLY FUNCTIONAL missile racks as a VERY expensive option.

I saw that one on e-bay too. I THINK that was one of the static 222's used in the show.

I still have some adjustments to make for smooth flying. Along with trying to sort out the landing gear, I'm also trying to learn the programing of the new radio. I'm afraid it (the radio) is smarter than I am! Having said that, it is still impressive in the air!

[Tom Slick]

... The helo went back into commercial service as an air ambulance. Sadly, it was involved in a crash and was destroyed. The entire flight crew was killed.

A mach 2 air ambulance? an accident was bound to happen

[crokett]

Very cool Larry!

Exactly what would you shoot a missle at with a model helo?

You know you could use a remote igniton system and some small model rockets to make a functional missle system. Not sure it would be scale though.

[lrogers]

There are guys that do that very thing, David. The problem is that such things are banned by the AMA and can't be done at a sanchioned field. If you were private property (flying with permission),the AMA liability insurane would null and void if you caused property damage or injury. Also, in todays world, you also open the door to terrorism and Homeland security issues. Believe it or not, there has all ready been talk of SERIOUSLY regulating/banning r/c models. I've seen video of helos and planes firing rockets and it's cool, but not worth all the potential grief that could result.

[Richard in Smithville]

Basically what everyone else has already said, plus two. Really cool.

[jking]

I remember Airwolf; I also liked Blue Thunder. They were both on around the same time.