Ariel firefighting is one method used against wildfires, like the ones sweeping parts of California, Idaho, and Colorado. Helicopters fitted with water tanks or buckets or outfitted with front mounted foam cannons douse the flames while hovering above. During the firefight to save Yosemite National Park, helicopters dipped buckets into waterways and carried the water to hot spots. Helicopters also carry cargo, transport troops, and lift people to safety.
My interest in helicopters brought my husband and me to the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester, Pennsylvania for a fun Saturday afternoon visit. The museum is the only one of its kind in the United States and houses selections from the first helicopter ever built to a wide range of military craft. My Navy veteran husband found lots to interest him during our self-guided tour. I took dozens of pictures and will add more to this blog in future posts.
The First Helicopter
Vintage Coast Guard Chopper
Instrument Panel
Navy Helicopter
Djinn
This photo is my favorite:
This from Wiki: “The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.” (Thanks to Lisa McCulley for sending this information.)
For more information visit: http://www.americanhelicopter.museum/
(Photographs are the property of author Adele Downs and may not be copied or reposted without written permission.)
Adele Downs 
Comments on: "AMERICAN HELICOPTER MUSEUM Tour" (8)
Adele, what a great post. Helicopters are always such fun and have such great history behind them.
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Nice post! I never thought of helicopters as beautiful but you’ve sold me. ;o)
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Wonderful post! I’m always interested in history and aviation! I’m sharing this post with my hubby. We might have found a new place to vacation! 🙂
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Hi Melissa!
We spent a wonderful day at the museum. The Chester County airport is right next door, so hubby and I spent time watching the planes take off and land, too. QVC is right down the road, which is also open to visitors. I plan to stop there soon. The surrounding counties are filled with history and things to do, so if you visit, I promise you won’t be bored.
Thanks for visiting and posting!
Best–Adele
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Awesome, Adele! Helos are near and dear to my heart. My dad worked for Bell, teaching people how to repair and do maintenance on helicopters. He traveled all over the world. Twenty-eight years ago, we went to a company picnic and as we exited the engineering department and faced the runway, the V-22 hovered over the pavement, swiveled to the side and jetted off. AWESOME!!! And then Twenty years later, one landed in front of me at the airport in college station. I called my dad instantly. All the pilots where pressed to the glass to see the aircraft. Choppers are near and dear. Thanks for the pix. Dad would have loved this museum.
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Hi Vicki!
I’m so encouraged by the enthusiasm I’ve received for this post that I plan to add more pics very soon. I took dozens of shots because I found the choppers so interesting. AWESOME is right!
Thanks so much for visiting and sharing your story!
Best–Adele
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Enjoyed the post, Adele. My son would have loved this place when he was a boy. he still would.
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Hi Rose!
My husband thoroughly enjoyed our visit and I’m sure your son would, too. I visited as a research project for my first responder stories, but ended up having a great time. The helicopters were interesting and beautiful in their own way. Who knew?
Thanks for stopping by!
Best–Adele
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