CIA Helicopter in UK

[dfmcleod]

Hi All, Just joined the forum to ask a question. staying for the discussions!

 

I'm researching a film and need to know what kind of helicopter the American CIA would realistically use while flying around London.

(low key passenger not heavily militarised) A few avenues have lead me to conflicting ideas. Some say they would use a police style eurocopter 355 and others say that would be completely wrong and be a much bigger jet powered helicopter similar to an airbus Lakota.

 

Help!

 

Dean

[rharris]

I can tell you that no one on this forum is going to say anything that could jeopardize opsec or anything else in relation to it.

[eagle5]

Use a black R22, but make it sound like it has a jet engine.

[superstallion6113]

I can almost bet no one on this forum has access to knowledge about CIA helicopter ops in the UK, lol.

[rharris]

The fact that this guy has posted just one post (this one) and how he says "the American CIA" leads me to believe that this guy is.... for lack of better words, full of it.

[apacheguy]

Dude, use some common sense. If you were trying to do something under the radar and not be noticed, what would you use?

 

I'd probably see what the locals flew and use that, e.g. EC135 or EC145 which are both common police helicopters in that neck of the woods. Painted to match the local police fleet, or the local medevac company.

[SBuzzkill]

A helicopter with a civil registration.

[Flying Pig]

Silver and black Bell 412EP

[smalltownguy]

You are in luck, sir. I happen to have two photos of their operation in the UK.

[WolftalonID]

Wow is that a cyclic cover or is that pilot extra happy to see you?? Lol.

 

A 355 or a larger jet powered lakota....that made me giggle a little

[brackac]

MH-65 HindBow

[Joe_P148]

They would fly Airwolf...

[dfmcleod]

Thanks guys...

 

I probably could have elaborated on my background a bit more.

I have NO experience with Helicopters.

 

I'm an Art assistant on a film and was beginning my research on a few scenes where we have CIA hopping about in London.

 

Without speaking directly to helicopter specialists and knowing what is appropriate in those situations is tricky. And its hard to speak to specialists (the people we will be Hiring the vehicles from) without some background first.

My possible Chopper faux pas suggestions came from the first things that came back from google!

 

I have since found a website rotaryaction.com which lists helicopters that have been used in Film in those scenarios.

Spooks (2002- 2011) have used AS-355, EC-120 Colibri and a AS-350B in the past

M:I2 (2000) has used an AS-350-B2 and a Eurocopter BK-117C

Face/Off (97) the AS 355-f2 Twinstar

as does

Burn Notice (07)

Enemy of the State and Agent Cody Banks.

 

And heres the thing, From that Its looking like I need to look down the AS-355 route a bit closer.

 

Yet I'm also aware just because these Helicopters have all featured in CIA films in Urban settings I need confirmation they are appropriate. Its guys like you after all who are the first to notice when the wrong helicopter swoops into action.

[WolftalonID]

Ey mate.

 

Also make sure your pilot is calm and collective in all scenes. And make sure if the scene calls for in flight in cabin shots...that any stage cockpit used, the pilot doesnt yank the sh*t out of the controls.

 

The last family movie I saw like this the pilot was screaming all the time, and the controls movement could have caused a small sunami.

 

An AS 355 is a jet powered bird btw...hence my giggle. Most all helicopters are, except for the smaller robinsons and a few oher small helis.

[eagle5]

Movies anymore are too cliched. Still crossing my fingers on that black 22!

[DavidMH47]

What ever you decide to use for the movie, you have to use audio for a huey.

[dfmcleod]

Thanks guys,

 

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Jon B.]

What ever you decide to use for the movie, you have to use audio for a huey.

Right?! What is that about?

[Yamer]

So on a side note, we just learned about resiliency for the hundredth time in my career... Way to jump conclusions about someone everybody!!! This is why we have training... Lol 😎

[Joe_P148]

So on a side note, we just learned about resiliency for the hundredth time in my career... Way to jump conclusions about someone everybody!!! This is why we have training... Lol 😎

Lame...

 

Talking privileges revoked...

[Yamer]

Lame...

 

Talking privileges revoked...

😒

[Jester2138]

I work on camera crews on film sets in the U.S. If a production wanted to know which helicopter to use for VFX they'd A) call a pilot and ask or hire a aviation consultant or, if it's live action, C) not give a sh*t and use the cheapest one available at the time of shooting. Art department would have nothing to do with the choice of helicopter for VFX and nobody would be going online to ask for live action.

Unless this is a really low budget thing, in which case all bets are off...

[dfmcleod]

I work on camera crews on film sets in the U.S. If a production wanted to know which helicopter to use for VFX they'd A) call a pilot and ask or hire a aviation consultant or, if it's live action, C) not give a sh*t and use the cheapest one available at the time of shooting. Art department would have nothing to do with the choice of helicopter for VFX and nobody would be going online to ask for live action.

 

Unless this is a really low budget thing, in which case all bets are off...

They would Jester2138, You are correct.

In fact we have spoken to the experts since and we have access to a Bell 212. (A helicopter suggested by that expert.)

 

I'm sorry for your suspicion of who I seem to be. As a person who works on camera crews I am sure you know plenty of Art Directors who don't know very much about Helicopters as action Vehicles.

 

Many of them do however like to have a bit of background research before speaking with experts.

 

I've been gathering that research. I have been able to give my art director images of seemingly appropriate Helicopters, and inform his conversation from that point onwards.