Fri, May 08, 2009
Starting out as an operator of Huey helicopters with a specialty
in heli-logging, Northwest helicopters has made quite a name for
itself via a unique specialty.
Serving the helicopter area industry since 1978, the company is
based in Olympia, Washington, and offers a variety of services to
those companies looking for productive and effective results in
their current and future projects. An FAA Certified Repair Station,
NWH has gotten a very special name for itself due to its expertise
in refurbishing former military helicopters. Particularly
well-known for its work with the UH-1 series of Bell helis, NWH has
also restored two AH-1 Cobra gunships and recently sold the latest
to a civilian customer who will be operating it on display in the
UK.
It takes as much as 5000-6000 man hours to refurbish a UH-1 and
not only do the machines get restored to like-new condition, but a
number of retrofits, including glass cockpits, are
offered.
THe AH-1 Cobra project was an exceptional effort... and since it
is in a training configuration, it is legal for sale (anything that
has armament or even the capability to carry it undergoes very
tight government control) to collectors who want something truly
unique. The second such airframe that they have restored, these are
'million+" investments and cater to very specialized market.
The Cobra was originally developed out of an Army requirement to
supply a specialized aircraft for specialized fire suppression and
armed escort during the Vietnam War. There are but a dozen or so
now in civilian hands. The Huey, of course, was an amazing
workhorse and built a phenomenal following in Vietnam where it
proved itself under a number of roles and also demonstrated the
ability to take on incredible punishment.
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