The Comanche AGAIN!

QUOTE: Originally posted by rdxpress Hey All, Do any of you folks know what/where the built 64s are going?

Sorry, no idea where they are going, but its designation was the RAH-66 Commanche, not 64. As you probably know, the 64 designation is for the Apache.

Thanks Arty I knew that!!!!!! Just had a mild brainfart! I sure would like to know
whats going to happen to them. I'd like to see them stored like Rockwell did with
the B-1 and the program revived Thanks
Good Hunting
G.W.

I don't know how many were bulit and one will go to the museum at Rucker, but I don't think the project will be revived. The Army toook the money to use on it's existing fleet of helo's.

So they are not going into active service? That's a shame. That was one great looking bird. We've just got a bunch of the Longbow AH64's over here in the UK and they are quite impressive but the idea of a stealth chopper was just amazing.

If I'm not mistaken, Aircraft No. 2 is already on display at Ft. Rucker (I had received an e-mail that showed a photo of it on display soon after the program was officially terminated) and I believe A/C No. 1 is going to a museum in PA.

I'm not sure what happened to the rest of the airframes on the line. Most of the guys I know, that were on the program, were quickly reassigned.

Guess What?,
I may get my wish.... I talked to a guy last night that works for the Army,
He told me that the bird at Ft Rucker is on inside display and that most if not
all the other 4 airframes are in storage for future use.......SO.......
Good Hunting,
G.W.

I was at Ft. Rucker in mid Oct and saw a Comanche on display at the Museum. Think they said they had another one in storage.

Man - it would be great to see that helo operational - what an amazing piece of technology.

To think of all the time and money that was thrown into the project, it'd be a complete waste if something didn't come out of it.

A damn fine looking bird alright. In fact I'm building the 1/72 offering from Italeri at present. Not too bad for an Italeri kit!

QUOTE: Originally posted by zokissima To think of all the time and money that was thrown into the project, it'd be a complete waste if something didn't come out of it.

It's never a complete waste, because they just put all the data on a shelf for a rainy day. It will be used one way or another. But by the time they get around to actually making a new helicopter, they will have come a long way, compared to what they know now... So they'll probably want to start from scratch. I liked the 66, but I do think it was unnecessary. It was a creature created for a proper battlefront war with the Ruskies.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Helicopter Reference Photo CDs-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/

Most people I know in Army Aviation were damn glad the Comanche project was killed, that should have been done 15 years ago. It was saping the life out of Army Aviation. The only place it ever flew as it was suppose to was in the simulator.

Jim Kindred
CW4, US Army