Category Airtankers

November 13, 2021
Lake View Terrace, Ca
Hansen Dam

The American Heroes Air Show returned to the Hansen Dam Recreation Area on November 13th to close out the California Airshow Season for 2021. After a year break in 2020 due to the pandemic, an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people attended the free show for 2021.

This airshow/display is an annual “Helicopters Only” show. American Heroes puts on several displays across the country featuring local agencies, including the Los Angeles area Hansen Dam Show. In addition to more than one dozen helicopters on display, there were over 40 Law Enforcement Recruiting Booths and displays. Exhibitors included helicopters and crew personnel from police, sheriff, fire, the DEA and United States military, including Search and Rescue Blackhawks...

Here’s a look at many types of civilian-operated helicopters from around the world. It is not a totally inclusive collection, but just some of our favorite types and photos.

Helicopters have become necessary in many areas of business and pleasure, from construction to firefighting, air taxi, tourism and civilian government work. How many of these types have you seen?

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Former Texas Air National Guard Convair C-131B 

It has been almost sixteen full years years since I made a magical trip  from New Hampshire to Fairbanks, Alaska. My main reason was to report on the Indian Air Force’s first deployment to Alaska, to participate in the 2004 Cooperative Cope Thunder exercise. Of course, there was ample time in my trip’s itinerary to go plane spotting at a new airport, and Fairbanks International Airport didn’t disappoint.

Curtiss C-46F in the foreground was once operated by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force

Back then, there were many old propliners and former military transports still flying in interior Alaska...