vernicator wrote:
Just curious if anyone knows if the Cobra was repaired and returned to an airworthy state. Their website seems to suggest that it is scheduled to perform at events this summer.
It took a couple more years than that, but it is back flying....
Quote:
The Red Bull #Bell T-AH-1F #Cobra of the Flying Bulls Austria will soon be seen again at European airshows.
The Cobra crashed after finishing a flight demonstration at the airfield #Reutte_Höfen to refuel before the return flight to the home in 2017.
While hovering to the gas station, the rotor blades touched the a part of the roof of the gas station and the aircraft was very badly damaged.
The Cobra has been restored back to an airworthy condition in the US and is back in #Austria right now.
The #FlyingBulls aircraft with the registration #N11FX was built in the 1980s and scrapped after its active service life ended.
The remnant, even cut in half, was later discovered by well-known American helicopter pilot and collector Chuck Aaron and completely rebuilt by 2002.
Subsequently, the specimen not only impressed at numerous airshows, but also starred in TV series such as "#JAG -on a mission of honor" or "#Walker, #TexasRanger". Of course, always with #ChuckAaron at the controls.
In 2004, the Flying Bulls discovered and acquired the jewel and, after lengthy export formalities (the Pentagon also holds its hand protectively over former military equipment) were finally able to transfer it to #Salzburg, where it was received with all honors in December 2005.