There's a new presidential helicopter in town, and while George W. will have to run for a third term to get a shot at it, the next president of the United States is a lock for showing up on the White House lawn in this new ride. The Marine One VH-71 is a good many years in production, and will finally show up in 2009. There's seating room for 14 passengers, along with a kitchen, bathroom, high-speed communications suite, sound and vibration reduction and missile protection. The new choppers -- Lockheed Martin is building 23 of them by 2018 -- have a 350 mile range, compared to the current 100 miles of the VH-3Ds, and are being billed an "Oval Office in the sky." There was really never a better time to throw your hat in the ring for "leader of the free world."
posted Aug 27th 2007 2:55PM
Looks like the Clintons got a new family car.
Personally I prefer my ride to this one....
http://www.jeroldbillings.com/my_chopper.jpg
Don't knock the bad photoshop job, I'm a developer not an artist. :-)
Cue Airwolf music
want to trade for my car? its a volvo, can withstand any missiles!
So can roaches... That doesn't mean they're good.
yeah... but I wanted to trade for a transport vechile not a bug.. Anyways don't want to start a argument.
"Anyways don't want to start a argument."
You're on the internet. You don't have a choice! XD
That paintjob looks like it would glow in the dark.
looks like a praying mantis to me
Yes it does look like a praying mantis!
That's right. It was done specifically for Hilary!
;-)
HAHAHAHA dammit Mike!
You beat me too it!
Well, if it works I'll take a dozen. Can I buy them in 12 packs? Or maybe sans government markup?
I honestly don't know much about helicopters, but isn't 350 mile range REALLY short? I mean, that couldn't take dubya (I know he won't be able to use it, but for a frame of reference) from his Texas Ranch to the White House, nor can it take him from the White House to Boston. Maybe thats just how 'coptors are, but if so, a plane is just wayy more practical.
But you can't really land a jumbo jet on the White House lawn.
Yes because the White House grounds are certainly large enough to build a runway right?
The helicopter is usually used to transport the President, guests, and staff to Camp David, or to Andrews Airforce base to where he can hitch a ride on his 747.
I see marine one everytime the prez comes into town... he flys it from the airport to the place he's going in that town (its less trouble to the host town not having to stop traffic really). Usually there are 3 in the sky when he's moving.
Having the President routinely take 350 mile+ trips by rotorcraft would be extremely risky.
Next Zune color: Presidential Pea Soup
Will it blend?
Is this the new token dork thing to say on a blog now days? I'm guessing someone will ask if can play doom next.
Yes, but will it play doom?
Will it play doom whilst being blended?
I, for one, welcome our new Doom playing blending helicopter overlords.
man they better chang the paint :p
make all white with red circle and a black spot in the center
Hm... the Target copter? They have enough terrorist attack bull's-eyes already.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117605694694751455074.000436ad28cd938cdb00d&ll=42.006962,-87.8868&spn=0.002491,0.004474&t=k&z=18&om=1
Fun fact: The Target corporate jets have only half the target logo on them. They decided not to paint a full target on the plane.
@coplice
This is the Secret Service. We know who you are. We know where you live. Stay put, and someone will be around shortly to take you to Gitmo for making terrorist threats against the President of the United States.
The best thing about this article is that it reminds me that the scourge that is the George W Bush presidency will come to an end.
Well congratulations on being the first depressed loser to come here just to troll on the President. Why don't you go commiserate with your bipolar, trenchcoat-wearing, Bush-bashing buddies at DIGG.com and leave this helicopter thread in peace.
Looks like someone got up on the far,far right side of the bed this morning. ;-)))
Umm, yeah with your momma too
Hey, THAT'S inclusionist!
Is it 2008 yet?
(plz?)
which one of you voted for Bush???
seriously, i dont know any of my friends who did!
inspirational thought though... if Bush can be president, i can do anything!
I voted for Bush.
And in 08', I'm still not sure....I like Romney a little better then Rudy...SO I'll go with Mit.
Don't even JOKE about a third Bush term!
Sweet Rudy-copter!
Ahahahahahahahahahaaaaa!!!!
Oh... that's a good one.
This helicopter is a British/ Italian design and is called the EH 101 Merlin. In the US Lockheed Martin and Bell have joined up to sell it. The helicopter is much favoured by troops of all nations in Iraq and elsewhere. The web site is at: -
http://www.agustawestland.com/products01_01.asp?id_product=25
It is a very nice heliopter
Great job finding the link of the helicopter!
How the hell do they expect me to buy one when they don't have a shopping cart or paypal on their website?
I might be wrong, but I think nautical terminology applies -- the 'copter has a galley, not a kitchen... just splitting hairs...
Ron Paul is pleased at this development.
You didn't mention the biggest controversy: This bird isn't American designed. The EH101 is a British design.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/us101.htm
The Presidential helicopter will most likey be painted with some scheme of the traditional olive green, and white. This is either a test aircraft, or a similar helicopter being used for search and rescue, or medi-vac flights. Not the actual Marine One.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/us101/images/US101_2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/us101/us1012.html&h=438&w=620&sz=44&tbnid=S7HM_0l1KkzndM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=136&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmarine%2Bone%26um%3D1&start=2&sa=X&oi=images&ct=image&cd=2
the green is zinc chromate primer, which is typical on aircraft airframes. also, am i the only one getting sick of the stupid article headlines? "Next President's trick new Marine One copter is better than yours"? what the hell? please, the next time you get the urge to be "cute" or "clever", please stab your genitals repeatedly with an xacto knife.
Spoken like someone with helicopter issues.
Someone needs to get a sense of humour.
Are you claiming yours is better? Because you really don't want to get into a pissing contest with the US government.