Comments on: Let’s Use Helicopter Cavalry http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:15:36 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: cecil http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1067175 cecil Sat, 04 Apr 2009 22:18:51 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1067175 With modern portable weapons, the helicopter would be extremely vulnerable. Any well placed shot (or spray from a machine gun) would cause the vehicle to fail and fall, probably killing the pilot, if he were not already killed. Artillery, missiles, or warthogs would be much more effective with a much lower loss of life. The vehicles couldn't carry armor, so the pilot and machine would be very vulnerable indeed. To keep the weight down, they probably be made of light materials and have a short useful life. Last of all, landing is a problem for any pilot. It seems it would take a lot of training to teach them to land. If you look at the target attacked in the picture, a wharthog is a much better choice with its heavy armor, triple redundant controls, speed and maneuverability. The A-10 saw combat for the first time during the Gulf War in 1991, destroying more than 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 military vehicles, and 1,200 artillery pieces. A-10s shot down two Iraqi helicopters with the GAU-8 gun. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-10_Thunderbolt_II Peace With modern portable weapons, the helicopter would be extremely vulnerable. Any well placed shot (or spray from a machine gun) would cause the vehicle to fail and fall, probably killing the pilot, if he were not already killed. Artillery, missiles, or warthogs would be much more effective with a much lower loss of life.

The vehicles couldn’t carry armor, so the pilot and machine would be very vulnerable indeed. To keep the weight down, they probably be made of light materials and have a short useful life. Last of all, landing is a problem for any pilot. It seems it would take a lot of training to teach them to land.

If you look at the target attacked in the picture, a wharthog is a much better choice with its heavy armor, triple redundant controls, speed and maneuverability.

The A-10 saw combat for the first time during the Gulf War in 1991, destroying more than 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 military vehicles, and 1,200 artillery pieces. A-10s shot down two Iraqi helicopters with the GAU-8 gun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-10_Thunderbolt_II

Peace

]]> By: mickey http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064404 mickey Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:21:06 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064404 What is the point of developing a vehicle as an assult platform if you dont give it a useful weapon? a rifle? seriously? What is the point of developing a vehicle as an assult platform if you dont give it a useful weapon? a rifle? seriously?

]]> By: MrG http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064258 MrG Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:32:08 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064258 Yeah, the detail picture in the article shows the ramjets. Oddly it wouldn't need contrarotating rotors given that propulsion configuration since the rotor doesn't generate any torque on the airframe. There might have been an advantage to dual rotors but such "tipjet" helicopters as I've seen -- Hiller Hornet -- had a single rotor. Cheers -- MrG Yeah, the detail picture in the article shows the ramjets. Oddly it wouldn’t need contrarotating
rotors given that propulsion configuration since the rotor doesn’t generate any torque on the
airframe. There might have been an advantage to dual rotors but such “tipjet” helicopters
as I’ve seen — Hiller Hornet — had a single rotor. Cheers — MrG

]]> By: Absolutejagauar http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064246 Absolutejagauar Sun, 04 Jan 2009 11:47:17 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064246 beagledad, I think they are supposed to have ramjet engines mounted on the ends of the propellers (a MI favourite) Like a Catherine Wheel. beagledad, I think they are supposed to have ramjet engines mounted on the ends of the propellers (a MI favourite) Like a Catherine Wheel.

]]> By: beagledad http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064202 beagledad Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:32:21 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064202 Has anyone noticed that these things don't seem to be equipped with engines? Nothing about them in the text (though it does mention fuel tanks--maybe those are there just to provide a nice fireball when the copters get hit) and nothing apparent in the illustration. Perhaps there's a giant rubber band inside that pylon that holds the rotor blades? Has anyone noticed that these things don’t seem to be equipped with engines? Nothing about them in the text (though it does mention fuel tanks–maybe those are there just to provide a nice fireball when the copters get hit) and nothing apparent in the illustration. Perhaps there’s a giant rubber band inside that pylon that holds the rotor blades?

]]> By: Charlie http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064184 Charlie Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:46:26 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064184 John M. Hanna: I was thinking the same thing. This is the closest I could find: http://flickr.com/photos/78268574@N00/2759846051/ John M. Hanna: I was thinking the same thing. This is the closest I could find:
http://flickr.com/photos/78268574@N00/2759846051/

]]> By: Greg Goebel http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064179 Greg Goebel Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:54:21 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064179 Actually, when Los Alamos started working on the Bomb, somebody brought up the notion that the detonation would set the Earth's atmosphere on fire. People stared at each other and then went through some frantic calculations that showed it was way outside the bounds. However, this did not stop Enrico Fermi from starting a betting pool for the initial TRINITY test that the atmosphere would in fact catch on fire. Fermi had a flip sense of humor -- the authorities were NOT happy with him for that betting pool. However, there was still a widespread indifference to the threat of fallout. In addition, in the early 1950s, we were introducing aircraft with improved performance every year in large numbers. The result was hundreds of crashes, often fatal, a year. Now every time we lose a combat jet in an accident, the fleet gets grounded until the problem is fixed. Cheers -- MrG Actually, when Los Alamos started working on the Bomb, somebody brought up the notion
that the detonation would set the Earth’s atmosphere on fire. People stared at each other
and then went through some frantic calculations that showed it was way outside the
bounds. However, this did not stop Enrico Fermi from starting a betting pool for the
initial TRINITY test that the atmosphere would in fact catch on fire. Fermi had a flip
sense of humor — the authorities were NOT happy with him for that betting pool.

However, there was still a widespread indifference to the threat of fallout. In addition,
in the early 1950s, we were introducing aircraft with improved performance every year in
large numbers. The result was hundreds of crashes, often fatal, a year. Now every time
we lose a combat jet in an accident, the fleet gets grounded until the problem is fixed.
Cheers — MrG

]]> By: Sean http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064177 Sean Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:18:09 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064177 We had a much higher tolerance for risk and casualties in the 50's. Serious scientists thought that the explosion of the atom bomb would incinerate the atmosphere of the entire planet. We had a much higher tolerance for risk and casualties in the 50’s. Serious scientists thought that the explosion of the atom bomb would incinerate the atmosphere of the entire planet.

]]> By: Conway http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064174 Conway Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:05:47 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064174 They'd be picked off by machinegun fire on approach due to the openness of the cockpit, it'd be suicide. You couldn't armour it either as it'd then weigh too much. Casualty rates would be ridiculous REALITY RUINS EVERYTHING :'( They’d be picked off by machinegun fire on approach due to the openness of the cockpit, it’d be suicide. You couldn’t armour it either as it’d then weigh too much. Casualty rates would be ridiculous

REALITY RUINS EVERYTHING :’(

]]> By: Greg Goebel http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064166 Greg Goebel Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:53:52 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064166 And don't forget "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon". Cheers -- MrG http://www.vectorsite.net And don’t forget “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon”. Cheers — MrG http://www.vectorsite.net

]]> By: Rick http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064164 Rick Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:51:35 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064164 Hi Slim. Instead of "Ride of the Valkyries", how about playing "Garryowen"? Might as well bring Custer and the 7th Cavalry into this little fracas ;-) Rick Hi Slim. Instead of “Ride of the Valkyries”, how about playing “Garryowen”? Might as well bring Custer and the 7th Cavalry into this little fracas ;-)

Rick

]]> By: Greg Goebel http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064160 Greg Goebel Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:43:39 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064160 Actually, if you think about it for a second, we're fielding armed helicopter UAVs that are on the same order of size, even smaller -- poke around on "Schiebel S100" on Google, see the shots with twin Thales Lightweight Multirole Missiles. But one-man helicopters? For the sport market only, and they haven't done all that well at that. Cheers -- MrG Actually, if you think about it for a second, we’re fielding armed helicopter UAVs that are on the
same order of size, even smaller — poke
around on “Schiebel S100″ on Google, see the shots with twin Thales Lightweight Multirole
Missiles. But one-man helicopters? For the sport market only, and they haven’t done all that
well at that. Cheers — MrG

]]> By: Scott http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064157 Scott Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:04:09 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064157 I'm surprised no one has mentioned its resemblance to Little Nellie from "You Only Live Twice." Although that was an autogyro, and didn't have the saddle mount. I’m surprised no one has mentioned its resemblance to Little Nellie from “You Only Live Twice.” Although that was an autogyro, and didn’t have the saddle mount.

]]> By: slim http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064156 slim Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:49:14 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064156 All they lack are speakers to play the Ride of the Valkyries. All they lack are speakers to play the Ride of the Valkyries.

]]> By: lunarmagpie http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064155 lunarmagpie Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:39:28 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064155 i'm thinking the Gyro Pilot from Road Warrior... all this guy needs is a cigar hanging out of his mouth. i’m thinking the Gyro Pilot from Road Warrior… all this guy needs is a cigar hanging out of his mouth.

]]> By: Scott http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064150 Scott Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:28:29 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064150 One thing missing from the equipment list on page three of the article is a flak codpiece. :-) I actually like this concept. I guess it's not very practical though. I'm guessing you'd need thousands of these things for them to be effective, and the casualty rate would still be unacceptably high. One thing missing from the equipment list on page three of the article is a flak codpiece. :-)

I actually like this concept. I guess it’s not very practical though. I’m guessing you’d need thousands of these things for them to be effective, and the casualty rate would still be unacceptably high.

]]> By: Greg Goebel http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064131 Greg Goebel Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:19:51 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064131 Back in the 1960s a friend of the family gave us a crate full of old issues of MECHANIX ILLUSTRATED, and as a kid I went through them over and over again. Although that was 40 years ago when I see the illustrations for them in this blog I recognize them immediately -- like this one. MI was fond of ridiculous military gimmicks -- stuff that was too lightweight and gadgety to be much more than props in sci-fi movies. The military played a lot with one-man helicopters and decided they were far more bother than they were worth. Cheers -- MrG Back in the 1960s a friend of the family gave us a crate full of old issues of MECHANIX
ILLUSTRATED, and as a kid I went through them over and over again. Although that was
40 years ago when I see the illustrations for them in this blog I recognize them immediately
– like this one.

MI was fond of ridiculous military gimmicks — stuff that was too lightweight and gadgety to
be much more than props in sci-fi movies. The military played a lot with one-man helicopters
and decided they were far more bother than they were worth. Cheers — MrG

]]> By: Rick http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064130 Rick Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:08:45 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064130 Eval Knieval rides again! Rick Eval Knieval rides again!

Rick

]]> By: George http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064125 George Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:35:30 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064125 They should carry swords and sabers like old fashioned cavalry. They should carry swords and sabers like old fashioned cavalry.

]]> By: John M. Hanna http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2009/01/01/lets-use-helicopter-cavalry/comment-page-1/#comment-1064124 John M. Hanna Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:19:41 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=6523#comment-1064124 Didn't G.I.JOE use these things? Didn’t G.I.JOE use these things?

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