Talking of model kits.... My neighbour works for Bachmann Europe, they have a shop in Hinckley, I name dropped and got a discount on this
Not much of a fixed wing fanboy myself but spent fourteen years flying these in their many variants, and as familiar as an old pair of slippers. Things have moved on since then, particularly avionics, but still have a soft spot for them. This one dates back to 1996.
One of my personal favourites and a total hoot to fly. If money were no object, I'd love to have one of these at my disposal. Sadly I would need to win the lottery first. Amassed quite a few hours in this particular helo and remember it fondly. Sadly I think it met with a sticky ending some years later.
Were very common in NZ for Deer culling then live deer recovery in the '70's and '80's. https://www.google.com/search?q=dee...ate=ive&vld=cid:2b6ed105,vid:JMWS0DHGI7c,st:0 https://www.tiktok.com/@kiwiadamsnz/video/7319305430042152194
Having read this it made me wonder, in all your years of flying, have you had any close calls yourself?
If only we'd a timemachine to go back and present that one to the Wright brothers, the mind boggles what their thoughts would be..............