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Helicopter mount - who makes them

Ronald Reddick

Ronald Reddick

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Hi Guys
So my boss went out and bought a Hind 2 chopper and want to use if in Kabul for live news and other events and asked me to find the HW to do this.

Never have done this before - Who makes the mounts and remote control equipment?

Thanks
Ron
 
I can't emphasize enough how much you need to consider safety when using a helicopter and this includes its condition and the level of repair and maintenance the machine is given. I have been advised never to fly in 3rd world helicopters of Russian manufacture. Think about this old bird's history and when the last time it was back in the old country for an overhaul (not to mention the fact that your boss could afford to buy it)...
 
As a working helicopter pilot, I can tell you that helicopters are very maintenance intensive by their very nature. Russian helicopters are certainly no exception. The cost of operating a helicopter with the size and complexity of a Hind should not be underestimated, and there are no shortcuts if one expects to live happily ever after. You might do some detective work and find out if your boss has taken out a life insurance policy on the pilot and crew with him as the beneficiary. Not kidding. It has been done before.

Russian helicopters are well known for their high vibration levels. An Agusta Kwala would probably be better suited for speed, high altitude performance and hot temperatures. A Bell 206 L4 Long Ranger would probably be the most economical and practical.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Vance
 
If I remember correctly the Afganistanis have an interesting relationship with the hind and what they did to them in the early 80s. An elderly Russian ship with news stamped on the side would be my very last choice of transport in that country. There would be more than a few camels prize to whom ever brought it down. Good luck.
 
PM Sent Ron!

Be safe!

Dave
 
Alex Fostvedt said:
Hind heli!
That puts a new twist on killing it! Just mount the camera on the gun turret. Pics?
Click to expand...

flovalflyeruk said:
If I remember correctly the Afganistanis have an interesting relationship with the hind and what they did to them in the early 80s. An elderly Russian ship with news stamped on the side would be my very last choice of transport in that country. There would be more than a few camels prize to whom ever brought it down. Good luck.
Click to expand...

coupled with a man hanging out of the side with a massive (often gun-like) camera mounted on the machine gun turret... sounds like a recipe for disaster.
 
I understand you want to mount a red but I just wanted to point out this system:
http://www.aerialfilmwork.com/
The Cineflex, it's so amazing. Flexibility it offers to mount on a truck would be great for mobile and moving groundshots too...speaking of news aquisition...but you probably need the higher res??
 
Cineflex does totally rule, but a Cineflex v14 probably costs a good bit more than an old Russian chopper.
 
Interesting comments guys, and yes an old war bird, stripped down, the old rocket pods are gone. Went through the past 15 years doing high altitude rescue and lift work. I would agree on the maintenance issues, the only good thing is there are tons of spares here and experienced people from the war and after. Also a majority of the birds here are ex Russian, so a big skilled base. I would prefer a Jet Ranger, but no one services them here, plus we have the altitude problem, Kabul sits at 6,000 feet MSL, so it is already a tough place.

We have been doing hand held from the door for now, I will post some shots, with teh Red Ram works very well, still vibration at times will kill the shot. We are looking at some other options as we have been using the helo for lift work for the sister company which is a Cell Phone operator so not getting the time we would like. We are looking at a MI 17's which have the lift for the altitude, but big, would love small, sturdy and serviceable for a war zone.

Maybe I can get hold of the blackhawk the Talibs stole last year off a flat bed truck being transported. The ambushed the convey and stole all the trucks, a helo, a bunch pf spares, fuel, food, and other stuff. I guess it was like 10 trucks they made off with.

Bottom line is he found the helo is not the best for news, but that was his call, he thought it was cool, which it is. But now he is thinking more practical. Has not been super high on the agenda though, we have the elections in 6 weeks and have been getting 2 new SNG vans operational for use in the wilds.

Ron
 
um...am I reading your buddy stole a blackhawk!?!?!?!?! and now thinks it's not all that practical?!?!?!

Can I live in your country and steal things of that magnitude too?! :ack2:


Ronald Reddick said:
Interesting comments guys, and yes an old war bird, stripped down, the old rocket pods are gone. Went through the past 15 years doing high altitude rescue and lift work. I would agree on the maintenance issues, the only good thing is there are tons of spares here and experienced people from the war and after. Also a majority of the birds here are ex Russian, so a big skilled base. I would prefer a Jet Ranger, but no one services them here, plus we have the altitude problem, Kabul sits at 6,000 feet MSL, so it is already a tough place.

We have been doing hand held from the door for now, I will post some shots, with teh Red Ram works very well, still vibration at times will kill the shot. We are looking at some other options as we have been using the helo for lift work for the sister company which is a Cell Phone operator so not getting the time we would like. We are looking at a MI 17's which have the lift for the altitude, but big, would love small, sturdy and serviceable for a war zone.

Maybe I can get hold of the blackhawk the Talibs stole last year off a flat bed truck being transported. The ambushed the convey and stole all the trucks, a helo, a bunch pf spares, fuel, food, and other stuff. I guess it was like 10 trucks they made off with.

Bottom line is he found the helo is not the best for news, but that was his call, he thought it was cool, which it is. But now he is thinking more practical. Has not been super high on the agenda though, we have the elections in 6 weeks and have been getting 2 new SNG vans operational for use in the wilds.

Ron
Click to expand...
 
This thread is awesome. Having a personal Hind, would blow my mind. I would probably put on a bandana like John Rambo and yell at the top of my lungs while recording. If I saw one as a news helicopter I'd run like I was in a real life version of Red Dawn.
 
Tyler mount really.

I was suggested to use the mini-gyro Helicopter mount with my Can-am Spyder. So I may just look into it a little bit more..<br>

4762_99610116204_560281204_2497568_7245851_n.jpg
 
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