HERE IS THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE SEMPER PRODUCTS LINE UP. NOW I KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU CRUSTY OLD COAST GUARD AVIATIORS ARE WONDERING WHAT THE HECK THIS IS. THIS IS NOT OUR NEWEST HELICOPTER.
NOW FOR THE EXPLANATION OF THE CG AW139. THIS WAS THE AIRCRAFT THAT AUGUSTA WAS PITCHING TO THE CG FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE HH-60 JAYHAWK.
I HAVE A CLOSE PERSONAL FRIEND WHO WAS IN FLIGHT SCHOOL IN PENNSACOLA WHEN AUGUSTA WAS TOWING AN ACTUAL FUSELAGE AROUND AS A PROMO. IT WAS PAINTED IN CG COLORS (WHAT CAN I SAY, THEY LOOK GOOD!). THE NEWBIE PILOTS WERE ALLOWED TO CRAWL AROUND INSIDE THE AIRCRAFT TO CHECK IT OUT. GREAT MARKETING PLAN!
IF WE LEARNED ANYTHING BACK IN THE 80’S WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE HH-65, IT IS TO STAY AWAY FROM NON-DOD SUPPORTED AND PROVEN AIRCRAFT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. THIS IS STRICTLY THE OPINION OF YOUR FAVORITE OLD COASTIE! NO BIAS AS I ALSO BELIEVE THAT ITALIANS DO MAKE THE BEST AUTOLOADING SHOTGUNS PERIOD! $12 GET THEM BEFORE THEY RUN OUT.
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HERE IS THE MOST COMMON HELICOPTER USED BY THE COAST GUARD , AND MY ALMA MATER MACHINE. ORIGINALLY PURCHASED BY THE COAST GUARD IN 1984, THIS AIRCRAFT WAS MADE BY AEROSPATIAL (NOW EUROCOPTER). THESE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN RE-ENGINED AND SHOULD BE IN SERVICE FOR ANOTHER 20 YEARS OR SO. FEATURED IN A LONG LIST OF MOVIES AND TV SHOWS, MOST NOTABLY, BAY WATCH. IT IS ALSO IN ONE OF THE JAMES BOND FILMS. ABOUT 11" LONG. |
