Helicopter Towing A Barge

Gravdigr • Oct 11, 2009 4:31 am
Not sure if this is bullshit or not, although my meter is chirping preeeetty damn loud. Whatcha think? Bullshit, or not?

More info http://www.pprune.org/3541135-post333.html
xoxoxoBruce • Oct 11, 2009 9:30 pm
That's Columbia Helicopters, click on "Hover Barge Photo", on the right scroll.

I have that poster... I may have worked on that 107.
TheMercenary • Oct 12, 2009 2:04 pm
I lean toward total BS due to lack of rotor wash on the ice. You would see some kind of turbulence either way, esp with water there.
Pie • Oct 12, 2009 4:52 pm
Good point, Merc.
zippyt • Oct 12, 2009 6:18 pm
if the Helo was Horizontal i would agree , But as you can see it is Pitched forward ,
Henry • Oct 12, 2009 6:24 pm
BS

1. No rotor wash, as already mentioned.
2. Tow cable way too short, leaving zero room for error.
3. Check the reflection of the heli in the water in the foreground. It ain't quite right.

Less sure about this, but couldn't that model helicopter simply lift the barge right out of the water and drop it wherever?
TheMercenary • Oct 12, 2009 6:46 pm
I don't know about that one. Chinook sling load capable up to 26,000 lb center hook, 17,000 lb forward/aft hook, 25,000 lb tandem.
TheMercenary • Oct 12, 2009 6:57 pm
Rotor wash over water.
jinx • Oct 12, 2009 7:21 pm
Did y'all miss Bruce's post or....?
dar512 • Oct 12, 2009 7:25 pm
jinx;600625 wrote:
Did y'all miss Bruce's post or....?

Very politely worded. :blush: I have now.
TheMercenary • Oct 12, 2009 8:17 pm
Still doesn't look right, regardless of the comercial website claims. But what eva...

It would be the CH-46A Sea Knight, not a Chinook, but a mini-Chinook.

The Civilian version, the BV 107-II Vertol[15] was developed prior to the military CH-46, and was operated commercially by New York Airways, Pan American World Airways and currently solely by Columbia Helicopters


A 4,535kg capacity hook for external loads is installed in a cargo hatch in the floor.
= 9977 pounds.

Everything you always wanted to know about the Boeing Vertol:

http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/bvertol_ch-46.php
jinx • Oct 12, 2009 8:24 pm
It doesn't look right because you're seeing it thru a telephoto lense, not just your eyes.

Here's a nice wiki on perspective distortion.
classicman • Oct 12, 2009 8:50 pm
La foto fue tomada por Ted de ternera de manera que el helicóptero parece estar más cerca del hielo de lo que realmente es. Véase también el mes de fondo de escritorio decorado con helicópteros de Columbia.
Elspode • Oct 12, 2009 10:44 pm
I'm going with whatever Bruce says since he builds the fucking things.
TheMercenary • Oct 13, 2009 1:33 am
Elspode;600650 wrote:
I'm going with whatever Bruce says since he builds the fucking things.

I have no idea what he does for a living but I believe you. I'm cool with it. I was more of an end user when it came to those things.
ZenGum • Oct 13, 2009 1:35 am
I was wondering just the other day, what Bruce does for a living. Builds choppers, eh? Cool.
xoxoxoBruce • Oct 13, 2009 1:55 am
TheMercenary;600620 wrote:
I don't know about that one. Chinook sling load capable up to 26,000 lb center hook, 17,000 lb forward/aft hook, 25,000 lb tandem.
That was a 170 ton hover barge (cargo hovercraft), with 50 tons of cargo. But since it's supported by an air cushion, the helicopter only has to slide it along over water, or ice. It was being tested because the tug boats worked on the water, but couldn't move it over the ice, often encountered around the oil rigs.
ZenGum • Oct 13, 2009 7:27 am
But ... if its got all the fans and stuff to make it a hover-barge .... why not add a few extra fans for control and motive power and make it a regulation hovercraft?
Pie • Oct 13, 2009 10:02 am
:worried: More perspective?
BrianR • Oct 13, 2009 11:25 am
classicman;600640 wrote:


The photo was taken by Ted in a helicopter, in such a way that it appears that he is closer to the ice than he really is.
Also, please look at our annual calendar with pictures of helicopters from Columbia in each month.

Translation courtesy of Mrs. BrianR.
xoxoxoBruce • Oct 13, 2009 11:37 am
ZenGum;600729 wrote:
But ... if its got all the fans and stuff to make it a hover-barge .... why not add a few extra fans for control and motive power and make it a regulation hovercraft?
You'll have to ask Sohio, it's their barge, and they hired Columbia to try and pull it.
Gravdigr • Oct 13, 2009 6:08 pm
TheMercenary;600704 wrote:
I was more of an end user when it came to those things.


Merc, thank you for your 'end use'.
regular.joe • Oct 13, 2009 6:25 pm
Wow! That is one of the coolest freaking pictures I've seen. Ever! I would not want to be on the shithook.

If Bruce says it's the real thing, I'll believe him.
xoxoxoBruce • Oct 14, 2009 12:43 am
That picture was taken back in 1982, Boeing even had posters made.
A framed enlargement hangs over in "mahogany row"*.

* Executive offices.
TheMercenary • Oct 14, 2009 10:50 pm
Dig it.