Ugliest helicopter in the world?

[Killakoala]

A French Navy/Marine helicopter i spotted the other day. I think it is the ugliest thing i have ever seen take to the air.

Maybe we could have an ugly vehicle competition


Click on the image for a larger pic.

[Michael]

That chopper looks like it's only a few models later than the first lot of sikorskys that went into service in the US army.

personally Im a HUGE fan of the bell irriquois, if i could get my hands on one thats being retired from the army I would, Im lucky enough to have the local army aviation bass do tactical flying through my valley in the hueys.

gotta love that rotor beat. bup bup bup bup bup bup


michael

[Manta]

Maybe we could have an ugly vehicle competition

The French have been winning that particular contest for decades...

[daniel_r]

Maybe we could have an ugly vehicle competition

The French have been winning that particular contest for decades...

In your best French accent: "They're not ugly, they're just quirky little French cars".

Just ask, they'll tell you so

On the other hand, a Citroen DS in good condition is quite amazing.

[birddog114]

Killakoala
It's better in quality and value more than your Seaking and Seahawk

[birddog114]

That chopper looks like it's only a few models later than the first lot of sikorskys that went into service in the US army.

personally Im a HUGE fan of the bell irriquois, if i could get my hands on one thats being retired from the army I would, Im lucky enough to have the local army aviation bass do tactical flying through my valley in the hueys.

gotta love that roter beat. bup bup bup bup bup bup


michael

Michael,
Bell Huey (UH-1) is an excellent rotary wing aircraft which I had many hours with her in the past and I've flown in the configuration of gunship not the "ash & trash" ship like the Australian Army have them up Townsville.

[sheepie]

Killa - you don't want to upset the French by calling their equipment 'ugly'. They may come and visit your ship in the dark of night next time you're in NZ

[Michael]

That chopper looks like it's only a few models later than the first lot of sikorskys that went into service in the US army.

personally Im a HUGE fan of the bell irriquois, if i could get my hands on one thats being retired from the army I would, Im lucky enough to have the local army aviation bass do tactical flying through my valley in the hueys.

gotta love that roter beat. bup bup bup bup bup bup


michael

Michael,
Bell Huey (UH-1) is an excellent rotary wing aircraft which I had many hours with her in the past and I've flown in the configuration of gunship not the "ash & trash" ship like the Australian Army have them up Townsville.

you're lucky

I've yet to even step foot in a huey that's even got its engine running.

[blinkblink]

gotta love that rotor beat. bup bup bup bup bup bup

I thought they went 'Chopa Chopa Chopa Chopa Chopa Chopa Chopa Chopa'

[Michael]

gotta love that rotor beat. bup bup bup bup bup bup

I thought they went 'Chopa Chopa Chopa Chopa Chopa Chopa Chopa Chopa'

not the huey it has a chopa chopa chopa all of its own....

[birddog114]

That why we called it "chopper" its sound made its name.

[Ivanerrol]

Alouette 111 a very fine chopper

[glamy]

To be fair, other countries have tried to catch up on their share of ugly vehicles, the "AU" springs to mind among others like in the japanese market or in the Fiat range. I do not mind an ugly chopper as long as it stays in the air... good shot by the way,
Cheers,
Gerard

[LostDingo]

I bet the pilot is ugly too

I won't say anything about the French....Glamy is my friend

[glamy]

:lol::lol:

[Simon]

 LOL

That chopper reminds me of the type they have on the TinTin cartoons.

Thanks for the reminder

[Matt. K]

Nice capture Steve.
Did you get a ride?

[gstark]

Maybe we could have an ugly vehicle competition

The French have been winning that particular contest for decades...

No, no, no, no, no ...


The Buick Aztec makes even the worst French efforts look like stunning beauties, and there's another vehicle, also in the USofA, but whose name escapes me, that makes Volvo wagons look areodynamic.

[Manta]

.. makes Volvo wagons look areodynamic.

Geez! That's a big call Gary!

[LostDingo]

Gary, I saw some kind of a HONDA that literally looked like a box when I was in the USA, ugly ugly. Had gray plastic fenders, I thought at first it had been wrecked and was in the "priming" state

Same aerodynamics of a cardboard box!

[LostDingo]

and 1 more uglier shot............

[rooboy]

No, no, no, no, no ...


The Buick Aztec makes even the worst French efforts look like stunning beauties, and there's another vehicle, also in the USofA, but whose name escapes me, that makes Volvo wagons look areodynamic.

I can't imagine a road vehicle uglier than a Hummer, other than the Hummer Limo

[gstark]

Mea culpa.

I said Buick Aztec; it's really a Pontiac.

But it's still ugly as ...

The other one I was trying to remember is the Scion.

By Toyota!

Enjoy them both here.

Unfortunately, that site doesn't show the Aztec in its best (worst) light, so please enjoy this fine example. Airsick bags recommended.

And yes, the Scion XB truly makes a Vlovo wagon look aerodynamic. Try here.

The Honda in question is certainly up there - it's the Element, btw, and like the Scion, it has just one redeeming feature.

And we mustn't forget Fiat's Multipla. After looking at these four vehicles, you may be excused to go and watch .... even Big Brother. Well ... we are talking ugly, aren't we?

And just to wrap up my contribution to this thread (at least for now) many here would not be aware of Click and Click, who do the US PBS radio show Cartalk. Here's their take on this.

Simon, yes it is, but it's a valid call, nonetheless.

[LostDingo]

Gary, you are correct, the Aztec is even uglier in person, disgraceful design!

[gstark]

Paul,

I'm not sure that "design" is a word I'd use when describing the Aztec. The first versions were the worst, and, by definition, later versions look better.

Better beiong a comparitive term, of course.

[Killakoala]

, disgraceful design!

You mean to tell me SOMEONE designed it??? Surely someone just threw a blob of clay in the air, let it hit the deck and said, 'that will make a good car.'

[shaunus]

ha, its not a scratch on some of the russian designs from the cold war era

[Manta]

I will never again question your judgment Mr Stark. Uglier things on four wheels I have never seen. Thanks for sharing, you cruel, cruel man.

[gstark]

Simon,

When it comes to ugly, I'm an expert.

Shut up. y'all.

[moggy]

Simon,

When it comes to ugly, I'm an expert.

Shut up. y'all.

I certainly wouldn't be game to contradict you, Gary!

Bob.

.

[daniel_r]

For those who are a bit disappointed about the availability of the Aztec in Oz, perhaps you can satisfy your appalling taste with the Ssangyong Stavic

[gstark]

Sorry Daniel ... that's not even in the same crass.

[glamy]

How is that? My wife used to drive one...

Cheers,
Gerard

[birddog114]

Gerard,
It's still a nice motorcar.

[Matt. K]

Gerard,
You win!

[Killakoala]

Gerard, that thing looks like an older 'Megane'

[Manta]

:)

Gerard, that thing looks like an older 'Megane'

I was going to say it does look very Renaultesque around the headlight bonnet area....

[daniel_r]

:)

Gerard, that thing looks like an older 'Megane'

I was going to say it does look very Renaultesque around the headlight bonnet area....

It looks more like a collision with a power pole "around the headlight bonnet area"

[Manta]

:)

Gerard, that thing looks like an older 'Megane'

I was going to say it does look very Renaultesque around the headlight bonnet area....

It looks more like a collision with a power pole "around the headlight bonnet area"

Like I said...very Renaultesque.