Whirlybirds

I watched every episode every Friday night when it aired back in the mid 50's and loved every episode. I wonder why this series has never been released on video. I for one would buy every episode, that is how much I loved the 'Whirlybirds'. I've been hoping they would show them on Nick at Night. No such luck though. There has never been a TV series as great as the 'Whirlybirds'.

Okay, it wasn't the exact same 'chopper' that appeared in M*A*S*H but that's what started me watching the latter classic. Good theme which I would like to hear again, almost as good as 'Cannonball'. Two likeable actors but I can't really remember much else. Ah, those were the days; take me back to 1959. TV evenings in Sydney would bring you some classic Westerns plus 'Whirlybirds' and of course 'Sea Hunt'.

Of course, my high score may be distorted through the lens of childhood nostalgia since I haven't seen this series since I used to watch it after school back in the 60's, but it seems like it could have been at least part of the inspiration for "Emergency!" which ran in the 1970's. Of course, Emergency! was a TV series about two paramedics, friends as well as colleagues, that respond to all sorts of emergencies back when the paramedic program was in its infancy. Whirlybirds was about two helicopter pilots, friends as well as colleagues, who respond to all kinds of emergencies when the helicopter was first being used for difficult rescues and the tracking and pursuit of criminals.

If this ever came out on DVD I'd buy the entire series in a moment. From what I remember it was not repetitive at all with all kinds of people in distress in all types of situations being rescued by these guys. Plus they were very effective at chasing the bad guys with their "birds' eye view". Highly recommended and fondly remembered.

On behalf of The New Whirlybirds I thank you for your loyalty to this premium action series. Introducing the star of the show, the Bell 47, and creating diverse plots were the reasons why many like Danny and I chose to become helicopter pilots. As one of our friends said to Ken Tobey when he graciously appeared (Craig Hill moved to Spain and does not care to be involved in any recollection of the series he is actively involved in TV there) at our 2001 Bell 47 Fly and took his ride in The New Whirlybirds' helicopter N9FK, "Although the actors were not pilots, they were pilots to their fans." I encourage all fans to support this show through the mission that The New Whirlybirds have taken to pay tribute to their efforts. Trivia: Original Whirlybirds Director Bruce Bilson introduced The New Whirlybirds in 2003 at L.A. Bell Helicopter sponsors their appearances to remind people of The Bell 47 - The helicopter that saved so many lives. Trivia: Helicopters used were a Bell 47 G - G2 - Ranger J model. Trivia: Everything was done with hand signals - no radios. Trivia: Director Robert Altman got his start on the show and is one of the reasons why it was so well organized. Trivia. The main pilot of the show was Bob Gilbreath who tragically died in an helicopter accident shortly after the show.

As a savvy producer, I am grateful to Lucile Ball (Desilu) for two television production's she risked on, notably the original 'Star Trek', and 'Whirlybirds' among others.

'Whirlybirds' as a concept resulted originally from an 'I Love Lucy' (episode-140 "Bon Voyage") aired on CBS January 16, 1956, in which Lucy misses the sailing of her transatlantic ocean liner and commandeers a friendly Bell 47 helicopter to fly her out to the ship. Desilu Studios, duly intrigued by the Model 47 and its makers, began discussions with Bell Helicopters about how the entertainment potential of the Bell Model 47 might be further developed for a television audience.

'Whirlybirds' propelled the Bell 47's look and sound to popular attention in the late 1950s. Kenneth Tobey and Craig Hill starred as 47 pilots Chuck Martin and P.T. Moore, who flew off into diverse adventures from their base at Whirlybirds Inc., in mythical Longwood Field, California.

Tight scripting, pioneering location camera work at the old San Bernardino Airport and Republic Studio's Iverson Ranch supported the flying skills of National Helicopter pilots Bob Gilbreath, Harry Hauss, and Ed Fuderich. Together these airmen showcased the ability and utility of the 47G & 47 J models over 111 half-hour episodes. Some 39 episodes of the series were re-syndicated by CBS during 1958 under the name Copter Patrol. The Museum of Television and Radio in New York City houses a selection of Whirlybirds reference material, and a comprehensive set of episodes is on hand at the Library of Congress in Washington (16mm film). Excellent location and action visuals from the Whirlybirds set are now available for viewing at the National Helicopter WEB Site. I purchased from National Helicopter several of the actual television shows on VHS video tape. They brought back fond memories and are very exciting still to watch today. Entertaining Kenneth Tobey as no nonsense character Chuck Martin in those cool aviator shades!

I selected episodes that highlighted the flying skills of the National Helicopter pilots. The helicopter flying skills shown are simply the very best stunt flying by helicopter ever done before or since! In 'Cycle of Terror' - Episode 29) flying in tight ravines more remembered for the countless western chases on horseback filmed there (Iverson Ranch) - the rotors between rock outcrops and trees while chasing the villain on motorcycle is still outstanding & truly incredible. The landing skids of the copter used to knock the cyclist off his bike! Stunts likely prohibited by any studio insurance today.

Overlooked perhaps then by both dazzled kids and adults when seen today are the little charming slight of hands in production - as in 'Infrared' Episode 53, a Bell 47 J lands in a field before the camera, the National helicopter pilot climbs out of his front seat and slips down to the cockpit floor behind, and then it is actor Craig Hill seen exiting. A hint of the charming production values of those times.

Among many of the best episodes were some directed by an up & coming Robert Altman, who would later use the Bell 47's again in his film he is most remembered for among many others - M.A.S.H.. Not surprising perhaps, in 1984, a Bell 47 was put on display (as an art form) at none other than New York's Museum of Modern Art.

God I love this show. Sleeping Viacom could make a lot of money re-releasing these entertaining programs. I would purchase video disks of the entire series in a heartbeat! A baby boomer's fondest memories of his childhood in front of the television screen.

Release 'Whirlybirds' on DVD damnit!

Corfman