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.)