Up Close Retired military fighter helicopter
For the past weekend I had been traveling on a business trip from my hometown Miri, Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur.
I visited one of, if not the oldest university in Malaysia. University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) that has its roots dated back all the way to 1904. Very very old school, but don't let its lengthy history fool you. It has one of most advanced facilities researching the most cutting edge technologies.
An advanced university with very long history. Image by NadiCergas.
I had the opportunity to pose with some real retired fighter helicopter. These copters served the Royal Malaysian Navy throughout the short period from 1988 to 1998. Short at least, in terms of military equipment service time.
The Wasp HAS1 was designed by Westland Helicopters in 1962 to fulfill requirement by the British Royal Navy for a helicopter that can
- Be small enough to land and takeoff on a frigate helideck.
- Strong enough to carry and shoot 2 homing torpedoes.
This helicopter was able to do that by being lightweight and do this weird thing called "negative pitch". Where it can "stick" on the deck after landing until the deck lashing can be attached. Certainly a technological marvel at the time.
After retiring from service, 2 of these helicopters were donated from the Malaysian Royal Navy forces to the University's Aeronautical Engineering Faculty. So the students got a chance to look and and study the helicopters inside out. Lucky guys.
Well.. As well as also giving me an opportunity to come close with a fighter heli. Good times!
Me posing in front of the helis. Excuse the awkward pose I'm still learning to be a model. LOL.
Awesome!
Definitely an experience!