The Top FIVE Military Helicopters I WISH I Could've FLOWN

I was fortunate to be able to fly the F-16 and F/A-18 and a few helicopters in my career, but many viewers have asked what aircraft I wish I could have flown. Here's my top 5 helicopters list.
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The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Views presented are my own and do not represent the views of DoD or its Components.

[@PluckyUnderdog]

Stringfellow Lemoine and Dominic Gonky 🤣 love it

[@Pitchlock8251]

I see Wombat as more Dom. Gonky can be Caitlin.🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Littlewing1977]

@@Pitchlock8251😂

[@benshakespeare268]

Can not unsee that thumbnail 😂

[@glacier4286]

5. Ka-52: for the coaxial layout. 4. Ah-56 Cheyenne: I think was way ahead of its time and seemed it was making a return until future attack helo programs were shot down because of drones. 3. Eurocopter Tiger: I heard its plenty agile. 2. Commanche: I don't think needs explaining. 1. S-97: coaxial+pusher I think it'd be hard to find a faster configuration unless we started reaching for tiltrotors but that's not the same.

[@Tyrannosaurus_STFU_III]

I'll have the Airwolf theme in my head for the rest of the day. I ain't mad about it.

[@marcjohnson4884]

Sorry Greywolf didnt work out.

[@Cadcare]

#4 (3:36) Chickenhawk, by Robert Mason, the book that led me to admire military helicopters and their pilots in that war and of course the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, "Huey".

[@davids1716]

One of my favourite books along side Low Level Hell by Hugh Mills.

[@MH6M]

Hats off to You for telling your story. Many people don't own up to any kind of failure. You'd be an awsome helo instructor tho 🙂

[@JBSmoke1]

Cool, Mover. The MH-139 is a slick looking helicopter.

[@philipgoldsby74]

"#1 - Airwolf. Nah, just kiddin'. That's not real. So, #1 - Blue Thunder."

[@boncuk370]

Thank you for video and your time ❤

[@atsf90east]

Hi Mover, When I was a kid I thought the SH3-D Sikorsky Sea King was a very cool helicopter as it was the one used to recover astronauts after the Gemini and Apollo missions. I'm sure when the Navy retired them that the airframes were pretty used up.

[@pauldutcher9105]

Love your videos and the fact that you always strive. I was born in Dayton and studied under the man that built the shuttle in Downey so I've always been a lover of aviation.

[@pauldutcher9105]

Also ❤ for me you take care of a brother with special needs. I have Cebreal Palsy and served people with disabilities 28y.

[@mrnorthernspitfire3067]

I love the UH-1, that helo is badass. I remember hearing on the radio that a UH-1 was landing at Manchester Barton, and I really hoped they didn’t leave before I landed. Suffice to say I got that C172 down and stopped in ample time, and my God that Huey up close was an absolute doozy, beautiful from every angle.

[@mickyates147]

Love your video’s! Glad to see that you selected the Huey as one of your top 5. I worked on Huey’s in the Air Force. Got to actually fly them many times! The Air Force had 30 HH-1H models built in the early 70’s for Rescue and Recovery. Just a little different than the UH-1H. Our tail rotor was on the right side, rotor brake, hydraulic actuated, electrical assisted rescue hoist on the roof just behind the pilots seat, and a loudhailer speaker system covering the aft hellhole. We had 4 assigned to Det 4, 37ARRS Little Rock AFB, Ar. We supported the 308th Strategic Missile Wing until they deactivated the last Titan II missile system. When we deactivated our Det in August of 1987, we flew our 4 Huey’s to Hill AFB, Ut. 70-2460 is on display at Little Rock, 70-2470 is at the Hill AFB museum, 70-2484 is at the boneyard at DM, and 70-2485 is a maintenance trainer at Interim Air Academy at Lackland AFB, Tx.

[@jaygelles9097]

I love the Pave Hawk, good choice! What about the CH-53? I always loved the Stallion and wished the Air Force hadn't retired their MH-53's.

[@saisr1]

I was stationed at KAFB and worked with the 58th SOW on several programs when they were still flying the MH-53. It was an awesome helo and they are getting better with the newer CH-53K. Was disappointed when the AF converted to the CV-22 leaving the Marines to have all the fun.

[@zorrrrrrrd]

i absolutely love the Aérospatiale Gazelle, i don't even have any specific reason, i just find it so cool

[@davewolfy2906]

Fantastic in the front seats, the view.

[@dougmasters4579]

A souped up Gazelle features in Rambo III, I think standing in for a Soviet Hokum, and it's a cool looking chopper.

[@ypw510]

@@dougmasters4579 A couple were heavily modified for Blue Thunder. Reports were that they handled extremely poorly with all the added weight.

[@dougmasters4579]

@@ypw510 That's right, the modifications were too cumbersome on Blue Thunder, while the bolt-on wings they put on the Puma & Gazelle in the Rambo movies actually made them fly even better according to the pilots.

[@mattsmith8929]

Eurocopter tiger is my love. I remember being a kid seeing it on the news, I thought the thing had laser and emps it looked so futuristic to me

[@ypw510]

I thought the it was the Bond movie GoldenEye that gave the Tiger the most publicity. Kind of surprised that Eurocopter participated even though it got stolen and two French pilots were killed as part of the plot.

[@apathtrampledbydeer8446]

Great list. Love Airwolf, and looking forward to future lists!

[@robertbarber4486]

Ch46, CH34, Huey, Sh2 and definitely the Lynx. Welcome back to the grind you’ll love the new aircraft.

[@electricaviationchannelvid7863]

KA-50, solo attack helicopter, ejection seat

[@Hallen36]

I flew two of those. Hueys and Blackhawks. When I went through flight school, they had gotten rid of the TH-55 and switched to using the Hueys for primary. I also flew them with my NG unit. We later transitioned to Blackhawks. We were medivac so we did all the hoist work too. Then I transitioned to fixed wing. Too bad you didn't make it to Rucker / Novosel. I met CW4 Novosel. He came to one of our dinning ins. He was an engaging man and a real inspiration. If they had to rename the post, I am glad they used him.

[@jonnyb2774]

If you like good looking and fast, then the Lynx is the ticket.

[@pollylewis9611]

Of course, I'm drooling watching these helicopters which were one of my dream aircraft to fly, thank you for showing us your top 5, I too would fly anything.

[@IFR_HeliToursVR]

So jealous you flew the Cayuse. The killer egg is such a badass

[@KevinS47]

I was spot on in guessing the first 4 of your mentions, but I thought you were also going to choose either the CH53, the S58 or CH47 (since these are also very iconic), but NO, you chose an Italian helicopter instead and that makes me a little proud! Greetings from Italy :)

[@djsmith2871]

"Like Gonky, I'm very vain" Gonky: 😳

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

Being Aussie with a fixed wing background - some angry palm trees are cool, a lot of the Hueys that ended up here were US service numbered after Vietnam. What the lone operator with the Hind from South Africa is amazing. Cool AF job the UScg have though

[@ypw510]

I've seen a USCG MH-65 Dolphin at a small, local air show. Really nice looking helicopter. I was surprised that it didn't have a terribly long range, but they generally have them working short range operations in areas with a lot of potential for water rescues such as San Francisco Bay. And I suppose they know all the places they can refuel. There was a scene in the Amazon Prime series Jack Ryan where he's at a party where a USCG Jayhawk picks him up for an important mission.

[@remskz]

I think mi-28 and mi-35 looks fantastic design. Otherwise z1 cobra and ah64D

[@davewolfy2906]

During my time I was cargo in the Wessex (a Sikorsky type), Scout and the Gazelle. However, the Westland Lynx (which might still hold the speed record for operational helo), was like getting into a sports car, a Jaguar D Type. Just to sit in one, after all of the others, it is far from ordinary.

[@davewolfy2906]

A modified Lynx did 249mph.

[@thunderboltcougar5626]

Firebirds & Apache? I'm with you. I love that movie a lot, and still love it today. But I'm surprise there's no Viper on your list.

[@josephalexander3884]

I really appreciate your list. I am not a pilot,but three others for me (I do not know if they would make honorable mentions or top 5.): MH-53 E with the big tanks, MH-47, and the EH-101.

[@simonk1307]

Great series mover! Can’t believe the chinook was not in there though. Bit of a random one but the old RAF Puma was about the most fun helicopter I have flown (6500hrs military/civilian), looks a bit sad but had no torque gauge so you flew it on collective pitch effectively like a fixed-wing.

[@quasar_33b]

Puma never really gets much love, but I've never heard a bad word about it, I work on Merlin mk2, so plenty to moan about haha.

[@simonk1307]

@@quasar_33b 😂😂

[@pablom-f8762]

That thumbnail is really something else. 👍

[@whuttontarnation2484]

Hi Mover! Another great video. Thank you for your service and your content! I have a question for you. Have you ever seen the Hind fight from metal gear solid 1? It’s nothing super spectacular but it’s kind of a neat sequence so I was curious on your thoughts if you’d seen it

[@johnreynolds1184]

Cool list Mover. How about some "aerobatic" machines (in addition to Apache) - BO-105, South African Rooivalk, AH Tiger. Watched the Tiger do a "blackflip" from the hover at the Paris Airshow many years ago and nearly fell off my own feet... Helicopters just didn't do that... 🙂

[@richieismyhero]

Yes, Airwolf is real😂. Great list, Mover. The Grey Wolf does look awesome. I was rewatching Miami Vice episodes and the Bell 222 makes an appearance in a few episodes. 1, Airwolf😊, ok real military Apache (used to play Gunship 2000 as a kid. 2, Mi 24 Hind. 3, AH1 Cobra. 4, UH1 Huey. 5, CH 53 Sea Stallion.

[@The_Magic_of_Zelda]

Good choices!

[@sandycheeze8499]

5:30 That tail was the 33rd RQS's pride of the fleet.

[@johnaikema1055]

for non military, the K-max

[@brianv1988]

6:09 was that a U2 reconnaissance aircraft above the helicopter? Also I love the UH1Y Venom and Pavhawk

[@kevinwatt5629]

If you wanna fly the Blackhawk, should reach out to Dave sparks. That would be an interesting collaboration!

[@martinricardo4503]

I am not a helicopter pilot but have served in Army Aviation Companies on the flight lines (SP5). CH-47 Chinook easy No,1. CH-54-Skycrane. CH-37 Mojave. Cessna YH-41 Seneca. Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne.

[@Padeline]

Very cool, Mover.

[@TarmacBlast]

My list: All of them! I only have flight time the R-22 and the S-300C.

[@glyphics1943]

Army aviator, ‘65-‘69, civilian helicopter pilot, ‘69-‘10. Huey (A, B, D, H) all the way but I would have re-upped if assigned to fly the CH-47 Chinook. So I got out and flew a bunch of helicopters including Sikorsky’s S-76 (A, B, C+) which was a great helicopter looking for a proper engine.

[@Padeline]

Stories, well. Apache Helicopters like to terrorize hikers climbing mountains. Like face to face. Scary but fun!

[@markg813]

Sign me up! Although my fatass doesn't go on hikes lol

[@johnb7490]

Loved the video

[@skagerstrom]

Mover, have you seen the good ol' MBB Bo-105? I think it was the first helicopter capable of (volontary) inverted flight. It was used in the military role as an attack helicopter. Fast and LOW between the trees! One is flying with Red Bull today and they do pretty amazing stuff. This one might not even be impossible for you to get access to?

[@AGTC009]

I know that this one was only made with two prototypes & was never commissioned into service due to high costs but I am surprised the RAH 66 Comanche didn't make your list Mover !

[@falcordamascus4420]

Mover , my guy . Take a trip up north to the great Canadian country . Instead of a OG huey , I'm sure you can get your hands on a Bell 212 ( twin engine) , Bell 205 ( single engine) , or a super 205 ( big boy single ) . They are the work horses up here , everything from fire fighting , to remote access , drilling etc . The pilots I have had are legendary guys, most from military background . It is something else , doors off , ripping through a river , listening to the collective pull under load .

[@JanHolland3000-w2d]

Didn't see that first pick coming. I was fully prepared for a CH-53 ;-)

[@wbball15]

Always fun to hear how many military career arcs were altered by the egos of "petty" officers and senior NCOs.

[@jameslynes9647]

Son-in-law is a CW4 Apache pilot just back from 9 months in northern Iraq. He transitioned from the Warrior. I have a flag that flew on a mission in Afghanistan.

[@milanondrak5564]

I do believe they used a dressed up Puma as a Hind in the Rambo movie you mentioned. Now we need you to do a top 5 fictional helicopters you wished were real because you mentioned Airwolf here.

[@martinricardo4503]

Blue Thunder?

[@milanondrak5564]

@@martinricardo4503 Blue thunder was a dressed up Gazelle, cool looking though.

[@DesMen-i9z]

I thought you were gonna say S-97 as your #1 helicopter. With coaxial rotors and a pusher propeller, it has speed unmatched by conventional helicopters. The nose of the aircraft somewhat resembles Airwolf.

[@eaglerider1]

my number 1 wood be the Bell 47, the 2e wood also be the apache, the 3e wood be the chinook (of the old shykorsky version), that wood be my top 3, although i am not a pilot, i do not even have the licence to fly anything, i do have experieced soms test lessons with a modern version of the Bell 47, but never any further, mainly because of the cost that is to far above my income

[@alexwalters4469]

I think the MH-65 Dolphin is underrated

[@jeffreyphipps5099]

Retired AF Firefighter/EMT with a helicopter penchant. ‘Firebirds’ was a cinematic flop but who didn’t like Sean young in a flight suit? I cannot believe you didn’t even mention the baddest-ass helicopter in history - the MH-53 PAVE Low III.

[@awilson2385]

Perhaps your commander is unfamiliar with Rule #1?

[@CWLemoine]

100%

[@iooosef6006]

Can you make Top Five Non-Fighter & Non-helicopter Military Aircraft you wish you could've flown. Could be Cargo/Transport, AWACS, UAVs, Recon, etc.

[@Stlaind]

I'd say that Firebirds isn't a great movie, but it's definitely a fun movie.

[@ChrisAverageYT]

Since I learned that parts of Mi-24 fuselage and rotor are tilted out of vertical axis I can't unsee it. It's a cool piece of flying machinery, but it always looks crooked to me now, especially when viewed from the front.

[@section8usmc53]

Most, maybe all large helicopters have the main rotor canted forward, because the tend to be fast (yes, large helicopters are some of the fastest due to sheer power and blade size), and it allows the fuselage to stay more level wirh the ground at speed. The CH-53E has a forward can't of like 5 or 5.5°. The tail rotor is also canted 20° which actually helps increase the overall lift capability too.

[@ChrisAverageYT]

​@@section8usmc53Yes and that usually looks stylish. Mi-24 is tilted sideways though and that's what I meant.

[@altxodorednovember6920]

If your target has a stick, you can choose the ah-64. If your target has a manpads, you have to choose soviet or russian heli. No options at all

[@20Mb01]

Wow kinda surprised for the number one choice !

[@no_regerts5176]

One of my favorite Apache scenes in a movie: “Toy Soldiers” 1991.

[@SpookEOD]

Is the Greywolf an adaptation of the older Westland Lynx???

[@erievon1]

Firebirds! I thought it was good. First intro to both the Apache and Tommy Lee Jones. Win win.

[@abigailsaoirsefinnegan]

what helicopters do you think would be most plausible to still be flying 40 years from now? cause the UH-1 has been around since the 50s in one incarnation or another. Do you think helicopters such as the Huey and Blackhawk could be upgraded for an even longer service life similar to what's happening with the B-52?

[@amunra5330]

The "Hind" is a beast of a aircraft.

[@INOD-2]

Can someone tell me what's the plane flying overhead @6:09 -6:13? My first reaction was that it's a U-2, then I thought, "Nah, can't be!" Or is it?

[@CWLemoine]

U-2. They were at Beale.

[@INOD-2]

@@CWLemoine Thanks. Sometimes my first reaction with planespotting is not even close!

[@MZ-bl6wg]

Mover, you really should come to Salt Lake City and collab with Dave Sparks , he’s got his UH-60 Blackhawk , a Dauphine. And just bought a Huey he’s having restored and updated , his UH60 upgraded military Blackhawk with the glass cockpit big huge screens instead of gauges and has his licensing and the helo experimentation registration done. He has a Blue Dauphine he bought last year , and one of those acrobatic helos like the Red Bull helicopter. Cleetus McFarland just bought an MD500 he’s having restored and upgraded and he and Dave jsut did the little bird MD500 training /licensing , Cleetus comes out to Utah to colab with him and has flown his helicopters several times. Dave is a really good guy and a HUGE supporter of Veterans and the Military , I guarantee he’d colab and you could do a Black Rifle Coffe podcast as a fighter pilot thatd be something new for them!

[@CWLemoine]

I’m always down. I just don’t know anyone and won’t invite myself 😂

[@DevilDolphin734]

My list, 5. CH-46 4. UH-1 3. MH-60R/S 2. CH-53E/K 1. AH-1Z

[@AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH-y5f]

For me its chinook

[@RobRuotolo1]

You can fly a HUEY and a Cobra via the ARMY AVIATION ASSOCIATION in GA. And perhaps if you can speak with Heavy D Sparks.. he owns a UH-60, dolphin and I believe a BO105 is still in the mix.. if that was ever an interest

[@TheRobSJ]

If Airwolf gets a mention, I would’ve thought Blue Thunder would’ve gotten a little love too.

[@CWLemoine]

It’s so ugly though.

[@TheRobSJ]

@@CWLemoine Can’t dispute that. But as ugly as a Ferrari F50 is, I still want to drive one.

[@murdoch9106]

Gazelle - If only the DCS version was... uh... okey? xD Sorry PC... love ya bois but it aint right! xD BO105 - Just the dream, isnt it? Reason Gazelle beats it is they can both do the fun moves but the Gazelle is a good bit faster if you have the right version Bell 222 - Not just because Airwolf was based on this one, its just one of the best looking helicopters ever made Llama - High altitude hero, its like a powerful Bell 47, sort of a predecessor to the Gazelle I guess? M8 - I just love it so much in DCS, it flies the best out of all of them. Most of them fly well, dont get me wrong but the Mi8 has the best setup over all.

[@gavinross2040]

Crazy you covered 75% of the Air Force helo community in one video! Wish you could’ve been out here as an instructor, that would’ve been so sick 😔

[@soonerfrac4611]

When I was mobilized as a Reserve MP I was working a security detail at our post airfield & we had a detachment of DC National Guard who were still flying the UH1 variants. They were all members of the DC Metro PD Aviation section. After some small talk they offered me a ride along through the local mountain range doing nap of the earth with NODS that was planned for a couple days later. Like an imbecile I declined because it was on my days off and I was planning to drive home to visit my then girlfriend. Dumb…. Oh, also my cousin is a USMA graduate and former Army Blackhawk pilot. I say former because he later transferred to the USCG to prevent going to a desk job and continue flying.

[@productNine]

Mover Doesn't Ruin KZbin Thumbnails

[@Geggy0815]

Isn´t a private owned Hind somewhere in the US? Maybe ask them if they let you fly it or fly as a passenger?

[@rawlinjohnson3055]

I’m surprised the Sikorsky S-97 Raider wasn’t on the list.

[@gregorymaupin6388]

You are the greatest just keep saying it but you must get the Nicholas Cage did.

[@yolkiandeji7649]

Did the Mi-26 come into consideration?

[@skywarp1]

Firebirds was Top Gun with Apaches

[@MT11222]

Expected more from Mover. All helis have a "wso" man! The number 1 shold be ka50, single pilot attack chopper! (Its a joke guys)

[@CWLemoine]

False. They're also pilots. (CP/G)

[@ThatTruthdiscord]

Mover in a giant mh-53 would be cool

[@krsanth-4142]

Off topic, 6:09 Is that a U-2?

[@INOD-2]

That's what I thought, too! Maybe it "accidentally" got caught on video when someone was filming the helo rotors?

[@albusdumbledore9051]

My thoughts exactly

[@INOD-2]

@@albusdumbledore9051 Mover confirmed on my other comment that it WAS a U-2!

[@ValhallaAesir]

HH-53 / MH-53 due to the CSAR mission

[@Savage_Viking]

I only flew the R-44. Just a training helicopter. The controls didn't impress me. Why not put in realistic stick controls was always the question in the back of my mind.

[@wildermarzo9611]

Why has the opportunity to fly the MH31 closed? Aren't the services short on helo pilots??

[@JosephTMyers]

what?!!! I'm surprised the Tiger MKIII didnt make your list! Also the V-22 Osprey? or the Raider X? AH1Z Viper? You definitely went with more of the historical classics but then why not include the Chinook? Have you not scene the rescue pick off's on Mount Hood these guys did with their blades inches from the glacier?!

[@doctorbrown2313]

AIRWOLF!!!

[@michaeldehart648]

BLUE THUNDER, c'mon, if you're going to do make believe next, this has gotta be there!

[@craigharris41]

What about Airwolf??

[@pauldutcher9105]

I wish i could have been a pilot.. when i was in areospace drafting school many of the adult night students told me there was actually a helicopter that did mach 1 but i was 20 and nieve in 83

[@elwoodzo]

6:13 is that a U-2?

[@INOD-2]

That's what I thought! Maybe it was accidentally caught on video?

[@frzstat]

It looks a lot like the NASA version (ER-2)

[@INOD-2]

@@frzstat Mover confirmed on my other comment that it WAS a U-2 at Beale AFB!

[@shyfarmboya]

I was hoping that you would mention the helicopter from MASH Korea. To me that is as bare bones as you can get and still get stuff done.

[@44hawk28]

I know it was put away by politicians long before you were around. But the Cheyenne would have been wonderful. It was capable of flying almost as fast as a helicopter is theoretically capable of flying. It had long loiter times. And would have been able to fill the role of the A-10 quite substantially. And by the time they made the very first apache, they could have had well over a thousand of the cheyennes for the same money. And it was a better helicopter than the Apache has ever been . Mostly because it didn't require all the electronics to keep the thing stable. It was mechanically stable the only problem it had was a vibration issue that had already been solved before the Air Force claim that it flew so fast it couldn't be considered a helicopter. Bulshit, but that's the Air Force at the time

[@RarefiedError]

RAH-66 Comanche is coolest of all and at least the AH-1Z is an actual viper and not a nickname for a faclon

[@brutlern]

So, no Get to the Choppa puns?

[@baomao7243]

Grey Wolf: Make them tell you no