The OTHER Kevin in San Diego wrote:
On 8 Dec 2006 15:24:25 -0800, "wavy" wrote:

I know the video was not fake, but I have no information about it.
I believe I recorded it from a compilation of aircraft accidents but
it was from 20 years ago.
I unfortunately dont have the tape anymore.
The vehicle, I believe - was put together by some contractor for the
forestry service.
It consisted of a large - dirigible type baloon and four big Sikorsky
helicopters (the old "split level" bird which initially was powered by
P&W R98 rotary engines).
The tail sections of the Sikorsky's had been removed and the whole
structure of the vehicle composed of what looked like steel
latticework.
It was a real catastrophe.
An oscillation developed, at least one of the helicpter bodies broke
free of the structure and crashed to the ground from about 40 feet.
I am hoping for ANYONE knowing about this thing to pass on more info!
=THANKS
WavY

I think you're referring to the Helistat.. Don't recall who's
brainchild it was.. If memory serves it had four H-34s on it.. 3
green and one orange..

I found this:

http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb...er =ADA101414

and this:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Im...istat_1985.jpg

(I guess it's a Piaecki design!)

and the NTSB report on the crash:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...13X34293&key=1

Unless it's not the one you were referring to and if so, never mind.


CAN YOU FEEL the resolution to a decades-old issue? SAY AMEN,
brothers!
That is EXACTLY the thing I was talking about.
I must have originally seen a video of the thing only months after it
happened.
(What a terrible design! What a bad idea! What a waste of time, money
and life!)
-wAv

Helicopters - shees! They dont WANT to fly!