Pimp My Helicopter: Grad Students Repaint Army Donated Craft

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SUMMARY

The graduate students successfully repainted an army-donated helicopter, which was previously used for airshows. The helicopter's engine was filled with cement post-retirement, rendering it non-operational. Students replaced the windows with plexiglass purchased from Home Depot, enhancing the helicopter's appearance. The project served as a fun and engaging way to spend a Saturday, despite some humorous suggestions for additional modifications like woofers and iPod docking stations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of helicopter components and restoration techniques.
  • Familiarity with materials such as plexiglass and their applications in restoration.
  • Knowledge of painting techniques suitable for aircraft.
  • Awareness of military aviation history and the significance of army-donated aircraft.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research aircraft restoration techniques, focusing on non-operational helicopters.
  • Explore the use of plexiglass in aviation and its advantages over traditional materials.
  • Learn about military aviation history, specifically the role of helicopters in airshows.
  • Investigate sound system integration in aircraft, including modern upgrades like iPod docking stations.
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineering students, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in aircraft restoration projects.

Cyrus
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We (Grad students) repainted the helicopter we have on campus. Looks pretty nice, but I was lazy and just watched them paint. LOL. I really did not want to paint that day. But I did go to home depot and buy some plexiglas to replace the windows.

The helicopter used to fly in airshows for the school many years ago and was donated by the army. After the army retired it, they filled the engine with cement...yeah...


http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/3185_749312614408_5736845_43421067_2953278_n.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/3185_749312609418_5736845_43421066_198199_n.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/3185_749312594448_5736845_43421063_7545824_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/3185_749312544548_5736845_43421054_4342932_n.jpg

Nice way to spend last saturday and enjoy the weather though!

The seats have armor plating that slides foward to proctect the sides of your body from bullets as you make a hot landing into the LZ rice patties to shoot charlie.
 
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that's really cool,

those avionics panels make a nice restoration project
 
Loudspeakers + iPod + Wagner?
 
Last edited:
mgb_phys said:
Loadspeakers + iPod + Wagner?

it could also benefit from two 18" woofers, and new rims
 
what said:
it could also benefit from two 18" woofers, and new rims

Fuzzy dice and one of these:

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2512/pinetreecarairfreshener.gif
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yeah, the "wheels" need some work...otherwise very nice...except for the cement (what a waste).
 
At least some low profile tires, and I ipod docking station.
 
WhoWee said:
except for the cement (what a waste).

No kidding. That was just rude of them. They probably took the guns out as well.
 
WhoWee said:
...except for the cement (what a waste).

Might be good practice for a future CSI team.:smile:
 
  • #10
mgb_phys said:
Loudspeakers + iPod + Wagner?
We used to pipe our Walkman into the intercom on our aircraft. No loudspeakers though.
 

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