ED's next helicopter

[draconus]

On 9/25/2025 at 2:29 PM, Ornithopter said:

This Sokół looks like a beautiful helicopter, but we already have an Mi-24 and Mi-8, and I don't know that it would fulfill a niche that hasn't already been filled as far as Warsaw Pact forces are concerned.  I'll admit I had never heard of it outside of this thread.

It's universal like a Huey. Although it started development and some production during end of the Cold War, most of its life it's NATO helicopter and spread worldwide, not a WarPac. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PZL_W-3_Sokół#Operators

[Vampyre]

3 hours ago, Kang said:

At that point it would make more sense to go with the CH-3 Jolly Green Giant really. It would also avoid the whole float/water landing problem.

The CH-3 retained the water landing capabilities of the Sea King and, funnily enough, was more stable than the Sea King on the water due to the larger sponsons located further aft on the fuselage. I wouldn't say no to a CH-3E Jolly Green either, but I also don't expect ED to make one due to its relative obscurity and correspondingly perceived lower potential earnings from a CH-3 module.

Edited 17 hours ago by Vampyre

[Kang]

2 hours ago, Vampyre said:

The CH-3 retained the water landing capabilities of the Sea King and, funnily enough, was more stable than the Sea King on the water due to the larger sponsons located further aft on the fuselage. I wouldn't say no to a CH-3E Jolly Green either, but I also don't expect ED to make one due to its relative obscurity and correspondingly perceived lower potential earnings from a CH-3 module.

Ah, yes, that's true. I guess I made that mistake seeing how the Jolly Green Giant wasn't exactly known for doing much of that. But the coast guard Pelican is indeed the same fuselage.
While I do like the Giant, I would agree that a 'proper' boat hull Sea King would be nicer to have. Not quite believing in it, though.

[MAXsenna]

We definitely need the JollyG in Nam.
I'd like both please!

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