Is this the first leaked image of a new U.S. Stealth Helicopter or just a model used for a new Osama Bin Laden movie? August 7, 2012
Posted by David Cenciotti in : Helicopters, Osama Bin Laden raid , 39commentsUpdate Aug. 7, 2012 23.45 GMT
Read the comment thread for more information about the helicopter, identified as prop.
Although I’m not sure the one depicted in the photo below is really a new stealth chopper like the one exposed by the Osama Bin Laden raid in May 2011, I find the following image extremely interesting.
It shows a U.S. soldier posing in front of a seemingly radar-evading helicopter that doesn’t remind me any known type of American helo.
The image file seems to be genuine and includes seemigly valid EXIF data (see below for details). I’ve just blurred the nametag and face of the U.S. Army serviceman (until I’m able to contact the user who uploaded it to ask him some questions – so far I’ve got no answer) just in case the image was leaked by accident on the Internet for anyone to see, share, download etc.
However, since it’s hard to believe that anyone would post a picture of a secret chopper online posing next to it, the helicopter in the image, with some typical stealth features (including an F-117 type of nose as the one designed in 1978 for the stealth UH-60), could just be a full scale model used for a movie.
Indeed, a new movie titled Zero Dark Thirty, is due out Dec. 19. It will recall the chronicle of the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks. Here’s the film’s teaser trailer.
Is the one in the picture the fictional chopper used in the new movie or something else?
Don’t you think it has something in common with the famous Stealth Black Hawk design I made with Ugo Crisponi?
What’s your opinion?
Anyway, here’s the EXIF data embedded in the image:
File Name: DSCN1884.jpg
File Size: 238 kb – 1024 x 768
Camera Make: NIKON
Camera Model: COOLPIX S8100
Date/Time: 2012:04:23 23:53:23
Resolution: 1024 x 768
Flash Used: No (auto)
Focal Length: 5.4mm (35mm equivalent: 30mm)
Exposure Time: 0.023 s (1/43)
Aperture: f/3.5
ISO Equiv.: 160
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: pattern
Exposure: program (auto)
H/T to Giuliano Ranieri for the heads-up
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Here is why the alleged video of a Syrian regime helicopter downed by rebels doesn't show a shot down gunship July 28, 2012
Posted by David Cenciotti in : Military Aviation , 7commentsThe following video, allegedly showing a Syrian Mil Mi-8 helicopter shot down by the rebels, was published by several media outlets all around the world as the first kill achieved by the Free Syria Army (FSyA).
However, I’m not sure it actually shows a chopper hit by the anti-aircraft fire.
First of all, the flight path is absolutely unusual. The helicopter performs a steep and fast dive before being hit by anything. Moreover, the fire that can be seen it’s that of the aircraft rocket launchers.
Finally, you can’t see the Hip crashing into the ground nor any wreckage was showed.
Therefore, I believe the video was filmed with a mobile phone oriented vertically, not horizontally.
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- Syrian revolution puts instructions on how to shoot down a regime helicopter on-line (theaviationist.com)
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- An entire Syrian Air Defense Battalion defected, (possibly) bringing some new anti-aircraft weapons in rebel hands. (theaviationist.com)
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Hip helicopter videos from Syria (including footage of a Mil Mi-17 shot down by rebels) July 8, 2012
Posted by David Cenciotti in : Syria , add a commentThe following videos show the Syrian Mil Mi-8/17 Hip helicopters at work.
The first, brought to my attention by Bjørn Holst Jespersen, is interesting as it provides a close-up view on a Syrian Mil Mi-8 gunship, loaded with rocket launchers, as it lands at an unknown location guarded by Assad soldiers.
The second one, recommended by Matt Fanning, shows the wreckage of a Mil Mi-17 allegedly shot down by the rebels.
Syrian helicopters flying near the border with Turkey prompted the scramble of six Turkish Air Force F-16 few days ago, in the aftermath of the disputed downing of a Turkish RF-4E Phantom.
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- Video: DIY anti-aircraft pick up used by Free Syria Army to shoot down Assad’s helicopters (theaviationist.com)
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Video: High Park Fire Helicopters at work June 29, 2012
Posted by David Cenciotti in : Helicopters , add a commentIgnited Jun. 9 by a lightning strike to a tree in Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado’s High Park Fire, has burned 87,284 acres and destroyed at least 257 homes in the foothills west of Fort Collins.
More than 1,300 fire personnel, 17 hand crews, 103 engines, 11 dozers and 18 water tenders as well as air resources including 7 helicopters plus a helicopter with a radiometric imaging system attached are currently fighting the fire that is now 75 percent contained (estimated containment date: Jul. 1).
The following videos show Blackhawks taking off with Bambi buckets, S-64 Aircranes reloading water and a Lakota taking off and flying in support of the High Park Fire.
Syrian revolution puts instructions on how to shoot down a regime helicopter on-line June 25, 2012
Posted by David Cenciotti in : Syria , 1 comment so farMil Mi-8/17 Hip and Mil Mi-24 (25) Hind gunship helicopters (alongside made-in-Iran drones) have been Assad’s main tools against the oppositors.
That’s why the rebels have put the instructions on how to shoot down an helicopter on-line: the Syrian Revolution 2011 page on Facebook (with about 514K likes) has published a short text that provides hints on how to target a chopper.
Here’s a (rough) translation (provided by Bing)
To all free people free national army …I’ve observed recently that some of the rebels are targeting aircraft alasdet as if they had parked in the air! Any that are targeted directly without taking account of space and time which will reach the plane and shot/shell at the same time!.In fact this is known for both served in the air force and Army aviation use, but to deliver this information to both HSS and the rebels and especially for newcomers to our free hero; we Dear Heroes to leave some distance between the plane and the access point, so that the shot hit the target in the appropriate place and time.The picture below shows a correction and payment when you reference x. And then the plane will arrive and she shot/shell, so drop goal.The seasoned in correction and drop aircraft can estimate the distance accurately, but affiliated with new free army needs to train and practice and awareness. Valnnshar dear HSS this image to all activists and perhaps up to members of the rebel army stationed on the fronts free in most Syrian cities.
Screen dump from Facebook
H/T to @bjoernen_dk for the heads-up
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