(drawing : MBB)

MBB Bo 105 PAH-1 of the German Army

This helicopter, designed by Bolkow (one 'B' in the 'MBB' designation of Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm) was one of the first machines flying with a rigid rotor head. Such was its succes that developments of it are still being built under the Eurocopter name.

(thanks for the correction, Richard Tonkin !)

The PAH-1 was an armed anti-tank variant of the utility Bo 105, PAH meaning 'PanzerAbwehrHubschrauber).

Most Bo 105's are in use in the most diverse utilitarian roles, be it military or civil. The Dutch Air Force is no exception to this rule, using the heli for observation / liaison / light transport work.

Admittedly, this picture is slightly enhanced. Actually, there was only one heli flying, but the effect of a 3-ship formation is so much better !

(picture : Dutch Air Force)

MBB Bo 105, C-GCHY of the Canadian Coast Guard

Nice picture, taken by Cam Bremner when he was working at the Klemtu Coast Guard Radio site on Swindle Island, on the north coast of British Columbia, Canada.

(picture supplied by Cam Bremner)