American contenders proposed by Bell Helicopter for the Armed Scout competition
Bell 407AH
OH-58D Block II or OH-58F
Nov 292013
Nov 232013
Alouette II, Alouette III, Puma and even a brand new AS350 B3e Ecureuil.
Great photos again, hit the link for the eyes candy. Continue reading »
Nov 232013
End of September 2013, beginning of spring time.
The day was rather grey, not providing much hope for a VFR weather. Shortly before my arrival at the airport, I was surprised to follow two trucks carrying wrecks. 2 Bo-105, easy to recognize, but not to identify. No clear markings were displayed, only the distinctive olive colour would let you imagine a previous life in the air force.
No clue where they came from, or what happened. Continue reading »
Oct 302013
Once every month, the South African Air Force museum in Zwartkop, Gauteng, flies its helicopters. This small air show is opened to the public, but only few people actually come. Unlike major crowded meetings, this makes the event very nice to attend.
What would you see there?
Helicopters, of course, and other aircraft, such as the Harvard. The helicopters are military, with the corresponding colour and markings. Consequently, it is not so easy to distinguish them from the landscape. Photographers would complain that the subject does not really stand out.
Alouette II landing on parking in front of the South African Air Force museum, Swartkop, Gauteng
Alouette III after flight inspection with a pilot getting pretty
Alouette III in approach
Alouette III in flight
Alouette III on ground
Alouette III landing
Alouette III landing on taxiway
Alouette III landing
Alouette III landing on taxi
Alouette III parking
Alouette III parking
Alouette III parking and taxi
Red Alouette III passing by
Red Alouette III approaching
Alouette III parked on the shadow
Alouette III showing off
Atlas C4M Kudu ZU-CWZ
Harvard on low pass
2 Harvard in formation
3 Harvard in formation
Harvard formation approach
Harvard on parking
Harvard taxiing
Harvard tour
Sunglasses reflection
Zwartkop South African Air Force Base, Alouette II and Alouette III
Oct 302013
Sep 222013
Today was a cold spring day at Grand Central airport, in Gauteng province, South Africa. Strong crosswinds let only a few helicopters take-off.
Bell 407 and R44 at FAGC airport, Gauteng province, South Africa
Bell 407 at FAGC airport, Gauteng province, South Africa
EC130 mercy helicopter at FAGC airport, Gauteng province, South Africa
EC130 mercy helicopter at FAGC airport, Gauteng province, South Africa
R44 at FAGC airport, Gauteng province, South Africa
R44 at FAGC airport, Gauteng province, South Africa
Bell 407 and R44 at FAGC airport, Gauteng province, South Africa
Jul 032013
Jun 262013
AgustaWestland released a picture of the Project Zero prototype. Only unmanned hover flight has been tested yet, with the rotors in horizontal position.
Source: http://ow.ly/i/2saia
Project Zero in hover, (C) AgustaWestland
It is so easy to ask! AgustaWestland was kind enough to answer.
Hi @blueskyrotor, here is one photo #ProjectZero http://t.co/Xwbyu6fAyX #AgustaWestland
— AgustaWestland (@AgustaWestland) June 26, 2013
Jun 222013
Will it ever be displayed in flight?
Despite the offical AgustaWestland’s statement that the tilt rotor prototype flew several times within the last 2 years, many aeronautics enthusiasts expect the Italian manufacturer to release pictures of the demonstrator in flight.
Front view of the AgustaWestland’s Project Zero under dome at Paris Air Show 2013
Presentation of Project Zero in Paris Air Show 2013 by Dr. James Wang, Vice President of Research and Technology at AgustaWestland
Presentation of Project Zero in Paris Air Show 2013 by Dr. James Wang, Vice President of Research and Technology at AgustaWestland
Side view of the AgustaWestland’s Project Zero under dome at Paris Air Show 2013
Source: http://www.agustawestland.com/mediagallery
Side view of AgustaWestland’s Project Zero in Le Bourget, Paris Airshow 2013
Source: http://media.aerosociety.com/aerospace-insight/2013/06/17/paris-air-show-day-zero/8225/
Jun 212013
Eurocopter X3 broke a world speed record with 255 kt in level flight (@10,000 ft), 5 kt more than the Sikorsky X2.
For the second time in its existence, this very same fuselage was made famous: the first event happened 22 years ago, when the Dauphin DGV became a world fastest helicopter with 372 km/h.
2013, June 7th D-Day
Catch it if you can: teaser
Catch it if you can: Eurocopter people sharing their experience