Did I just see Blue Thunder 08/05/25
Discussion
Walking the dogs in our village in Cheshire. Heard a helicopter and the aircraft looked very similar to Blue Thunder. Same shaped model, dark blue with a very light underbelly. Been looking at pics and both swmbo and I believe it looked just like Blue Thunder. Anybody else see anything.
Blue Thunder was a heavily modified Gazelle and if I recall there were a couple of them used for flying in the film and TV programme but no idea if they're still around or in the UK.
When you say dark blue with a pale coloured underside that's more akin to Airwolf (that was dark grey / black on the top with a pale grey underside). That was a modified Bell 222 and you do still see those occasionally and there are others that look similar ata glance like the Agusta 109.
When you say dark blue with a pale coloured underside that's more akin to Airwolf (that was dark grey / black on the top with a pale grey underside). That was a modified Bell 222 and you do still see those occasionally and there are others that look similar ata glance like the Agusta 109.
Benmac said:
Blue Thunder was a heavily modified Gazelle and if I recall there were a couple of them used for flying in the film and TV programme but no idea if they're still around or in the UK.
When you say dark blue with a pale coloured underside that's more akin to Airwolf (that was dark grey / black on the top with a pale grey underside). That was a modified Bell 222 and you do still see those occasionally and there are others that look similar ata glance like the Agusta 109.
Why the helicopter was so fresh in my memory, as this happened last week in Manchester.When you say dark blue with a pale coloured underside that's more akin to Airwolf (that was dark grey / black on the top with a pale grey underside). That was a modified Bell 222 and you do still see those occasionally and there are others that look similar ata glance like the Agusta 109.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14667027/...
macp said:
This is what we saw and more or less the same angle
That's a Eurocopter / Airbus AS365 Dauphin (or whatever it's currently called) if I'm not mistaken. Specifically it looks like it's one belongiong to these chapshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._658_Squadron_AAC
You could try Wiki...
'To film Blue Thunder, the producers employed two examples of the French-made Aérospatiale SA-341G Gazelle light utility helicopter, serial numbers 1066 and 1075, both built in 1973. After the film and TV series was made, both helicopters were sold to Michael E. Grube, an aviation salvage collector in Clovis, New Mexico. Sometime after, around 1985, one of the helicopters had a small role in the pilot episode of MacGyver, which featured the helicopter in a different paint job, the microphones were removed, the video surveillance package removed leaving empty mounting pylons in place, and the number on the side being changed from "02" to "51".
Grube then leased s/n 1066 (ex-N51BT) to a film company that was shooting Amerika, an ABC television mini-series about Soviet occupation of the United States; the helicopters were painted black with red tail stripe and numbering, missile launchers were installed on the pylons, and the surveillance microphones were removed on both. After Grube got 1066 back, it was dismantled and sold for parts.
The second, s/n 1075 (ex-N52BT), was scrapped during 1988. There was a third static display model built for close-up shots with the actors; it was stored outside and after deterioration was scrapped by 2009. The bolt-on cockpit of the original helicopter used to be visible on the backlot tour of MGM Studios in Florida. It has not been present in the 'bone yard' since at least 2005.'
'To film Blue Thunder, the producers employed two examples of the French-made Aérospatiale SA-341G Gazelle light utility helicopter, serial numbers 1066 and 1075, both built in 1973. After the film and TV series was made, both helicopters were sold to Michael E. Grube, an aviation salvage collector in Clovis, New Mexico. Sometime after, around 1985, one of the helicopters had a small role in the pilot episode of MacGyver, which featured the helicopter in a different paint job, the microphones were removed, the video surveillance package removed leaving empty mounting pylons in place, and the number on the side being changed from "02" to "51".
Grube then leased s/n 1066 (ex-N51BT) to a film company that was shooting Amerika, an ABC television mini-series about Soviet occupation of the United States; the helicopters were painted black with red tail stripe and numbering, missile launchers were installed on the pylons, and the surveillance microphones were removed on both. After Grube got 1066 back, it was dismantled and sold for parts.
The second, s/n 1075 (ex-N52BT), was scrapped during 1988. There was a third static display model built for close-up shots with the actors; it was stored outside and after deterioration was scrapped by 2009. The bolt-on cockpit of the original helicopter used to be visible on the backlot tour of MGM Studios in Florida. It has not been present in the 'bone yard' since at least 2005.'
You are definitely confusing Blue Thunder with Airwolf. The latter there are quite a few similar looking helicopter models often seen in that black with white underbelly.
I remember seeing the remnants of the original Blue Thunder at MGM but it was in poor condition. I also recall reading that due to all the bodywork added etc it was hard to fly as so heavy. Saw a Gazelle at Fairford a couple of years ago and was surprised just how loud it was.
Still one of my favourite films. Only watched it a month or so ago with my Dad. Have watched it many times before but only this time did I realise that Murphy's wife/partner Kate is played by Candy Clark who is also in American Grafitti (George Lucas's first film and another fave film of mine) as she looks quite different.
I remember seeing the remnants of the original Blue Thunder at MGM but it was in poor condition. I also recall reading that due to all the bodywork added etc it was hard to fly as so heavy. Saw a Gazelle at Fairford a couple of years ago and was surprised just how loud it was.
Still one of my favourite films. Only watched it a month or so ago with my Dad. Have watched it many times before but only this time did I realise that Murphy's wife/partner Kate is played by Candy Clark who is also in American Grafitti (George Lucas's first film and another fave film of mine) as she looks quite different.
PH is going downhill, no one yet mentioned the mansion with the Airwolf replica on the top:
https://www.twz.com/40742/nobody-told-me-someone-b...
"what is among the most lavish homes in America—one that came replete with a full-size replica of Stringfellow Hawke’s beloved “Lady.” The absolutely mind-boggling mansion in question, which is called “Billionaire” and was built by LA developer Bruce Makowsky, is perched high over Los Angeles in one of the most exclusive areas of Beverly Hills. It originally had an asking price of a whopping $250M when it was listed in 2017"
https://www.twz.com/40742/nobody-told-me-someone-b...
"what is among the most lavish homes in America—one that came replete with a full-size replica of Stringfellow Hawke’s beloved “Lady.” The absolutely mind-boggling mansion in question, which is called “Billionaire” and was built by LA developer Bruce Makowsky, is perched high over Los Angeles in one of the most exclusive areas of Beverly Hills. It originally had an asking price of a whopping $250M when it was listed in 2017"
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