First solo around the world by helicopter, 1983.

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 พ.ย. 2024
  • Australian legend, Dick Smith, completed the first Atlantic crossing and circumnavigation of the world, by helicopter, solo . This incredible feat of flying was accomplished in 1983, when Dick flew his JetRanger, for 37,000 miles, on a flight from the Bell works in Fort Worth, Texas and was featured in a BBC documentary, which I recorded on VHS and subsequently transferred to DVD then MP4 for upload to TH-cam. There are some mute sound parts where copywrite songs had to be removed..

ความคิดเห็น • 129

  • @rogerbartels5223
    @rogerbartels5223 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    During Dick Smith's successful North Pole flight in 1987; on the return flight, he came back through Kotzebue, Alaska. At that time I was the Chief Pilot at an AirTaxi in Kotzebue. I met Dick that day and we had dinner at the hotel that he was staying at prior to the day that he continued his flight. I was certainly impressed by his adventures.

  • @montyfpv2259
    @montyfpv2259 6 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    I watched this as a kid and always loved the Bell 206. To this day, I still love the 206 and think Dick is a living legend and national treasure.

    • @YeS-pn9hw
      @YeS-pn9hw 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Haha you said dick

    • @88njtrigg88
      @88njtrigg88 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@YeS-pn9hw Still no thumbs up for you Dick.. ha..ha..
      Pathetic.

  • @rep3e4
    @rep3e4 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks so much

  • @therestorationofdrwho1865
    @therestorationofdrwho1865 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    A Chinon Pacific 200/12XL super 8 sound camera was used for this.

  • @bobshaw4063
    @bobshaw4063 7 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    First time I've ever heard about someone flying solo around the world. Dick Smith sure is one brave & gutsy guy & a fantastic pilot .

  • @306champion
    @306champion 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    1983, is it that far back?
    Dick, you're an inspiration to so many people. Back when I was into electronics and radio it was your stores I went to and I never got a bum deal.
    God bless you mate.

  • @jimmyadams520
    @jimmyadams520 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Fantastic. Saw the original when it was first broadcast. Never thought I would see it again. Thanks. Jimmy from Ireland

  • @philipdartnell
    @philipdartnell 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I learnt to fly (fixed wing) in 1984 after Dick completed this trip. He certainly was an inspiration and he's been a key figure in Australian General Aviation and business ever since.

  • @MickB235
    @MickB235 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I met dick smith back in 1984 . Very nice bloke , he was a major sponsor for an expedition down to Antarctica to determine the feasibility of restoring Douglas Mawsons hut and my brothers partner at the time was involved as a diver and photographer

  • @majorrimaha4437
    @majorrimaha4437 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I remember seeing this when it first aired and today it's just as awe inspiring as it was back then, well done Dick Smith that was an amazing accomplishment

  • @scoobalimalima
    @scoobalimalima 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Awesome video cheers for sharing! I was lucky enough to go for a fly in Dicks Aussie Explorer II B206, the second incarnation of VH-DIK out of Bankstown NSW back in 2007 when I was completing my Commercial Helicopter pilots license.

  • @Coralita675
    @Coralita675 8 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Dick Smith hopefully Australia's future Prime Minister.

    • @YeS-pn9hw
      @YeS-pn9hw 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      😂😂 you said dick

  • @worldadventureman
    @worldadventureman 6 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    Ah the good ole 80's, when a narrator can call Japanese pilots kamikaze's and no one sues him for being politically incorrect.

    • @306champion
      @306champion 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Well, I still call it as I see it.

  • @Skiper747_2
    @Skiper747_2 6 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    vlogging before it was cool🤔🤔

    • @thedave7760
      @thedave7760 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Vlogging on super 8 film!

  • @DCT_Aaron_Engineering
    @DCT_Aaron_Engineering 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for uploading. I’ve been trying to find this documentary for years. I remember it from when I was a kid back in the 80’s. Cheers 🍻

  • @RichieRouge206
    @RichieRouge206 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I’ve got the book of this trip. Fantastic and he is truly an inspiration and a genuine person! Glad to find this!

  • @marinvidovic763
    @marinvidovic763 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Man ...he has BALLS ....
    This must be very dangerous to accomplish !!!
    Big RESPECT to Mr. Dick Smith !!!
    Thankes for Sharing a video ! 🖐️

  • @richardloveday1092
    @richardloveday1092 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you Thank you for posting this...amazing documentary footage and epic journey

  • @kayeman001
    @kayeman001 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    wow, so glad I found this, brilliant

  • @RichieRouge206
    @RichieRouge206 8 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I have the book about this and its one of the best things I've read! Dick is an inspiration and the 206 my fave helicopter

    • @markvine3814
      @markvine3814 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I was aware of this flight from a book I randomly picked up a library many years ago. Possible the same one. TH-cam shows one of its best aspects, that is publishing otherwise lost and and unavailable footage long after it was created.

  • @AviationNut
    @AviationNut 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    That's crazy that he couldn't understand the French ATC because they preferred to speak their native tongue. Wow, how times change, because now the French ATC speak English, even to the French pilots.

  • @utopian2222
    @utopian2222 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am enjoying watching this yet again..

  • @steffenholzt7364
    @steffenholzt7364 7 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Great Flying, congratulations. Love the parts where he is 50ft off the ground, nowadays you get shot for this. Good old days.

    • @tasercs
      @tasercs 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I think he did get shot!

  • @cgarby
    @cgarby 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Such a cool documentary

  • @mrmike1235
    @mrmike1235 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video and a very amazing man. Over water and no floats too. Only 315 hours and 1 year in the making of this World Record.

  • @fpvrcstuff
    @fpvrcstuff 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    He must have big balls to fly that far in a helicopter by himself and without all the modern navigation aids we have today like GPS!
    what great man and a great pilot/navigator.

    • @thedave7760
      @thedave7760 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think he had GPS but just no map update on a scrolling screen, when he crossed the equator he was looking at the numerical readout from something instrument that seemed to know exactly where he was.
      I could be wrong though.

  • @karlbassett8485
    @karlbassett8485 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    So happy to have found this. Saw it on TV not long after he made the flight and haven't seen it since. I'd love to do it. Although with todays GPS, satellite phones etc it would be a bit easier navigating.

  • @mierbeuker8148
    @mierbeuker8148 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Holy Mackerel, how did that bullet miss him? He was one very lucky guy.

  • @barneyrubbles2485
    @barneyrubbles2485 ปีที่แล้ว

    THAT WAS A GREAT LONG HELICOPTER TOUR AROND THE WORLD INDEAD.

  • @jozlynnjordan7388
    @jozlynnjordan7388 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    That's cool he flew around the world 🌍 same year my dad was born

  • @williamkinsey4979
    @williamkinsey4979 ปีที่แล้ว

    God bless him for shooting on 35mm film
    A movie hasn,t look this good since Carl Sagan,s Cosmos!
    Please note guys this is how a movie is supposed to look!

  • @MisterManiac777
    @MisterManiac777 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Special fuel increased the range of his Bell from 249 miles to 1200 miles. That's some extraordinary fuel.

    • @RoryTrackrod
      @RoryTrackrod  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Extra tank at start gives 1000 mile range, plus 1 more tank in Japan and special fuel, gives the 1200 mile range in favorable conditions..

    • @MisterManiac777
      @MisterManiac777 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@RoryTrackrod Thanks, Urban Legend Says he bought it stock and took off the next day, was looking to see what mods were made to fuel system.

  • @JimmyZNJ
    @JimmyZNJ 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Dick Smith is amazing!! Truly a legend!!

  • @timgraaff7551
    @timgraaff7551 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Congratulations, well done!

  • @danielr4640
    @danielr4640 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Amazing flying solo in a helicopter around the world

  • @KRAZEEIZATION
    @KRAZEEIZATION 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Insane when you think about it! He is a hero!

    • @KRAZEEIZATION
      @KRAZEEIZATION 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @KING I take that back, he WAS a hero!!!

  • @MrAbdur7861
    @MrAbdur7861 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Most awesome people do most awesome things

  • @Papershields001
    @Papershields001 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Man, Dick Smith is a champion!

  • @B1970T
    @B1970T 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just ran across this. Balls of STELL. Awesome and VERY VERY late Congrats. 😀

  • @saturdaydelivery
    @saturdaydelivery 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Tricky Dicky, what a top bloke

  • @cactusforever7198
    @cactusforever7198 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    u so lucky i admire your motive .. thanks for sharing this with us great spirit

  • @ianrkav
    @ianrkav 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It looks like he flew this VFR most of the time. Anyone know what ratings he held at the time?

  • @adelazahradnickova3614
    @adelazahradnickova3614 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for sharing. Do you have any method I could purchase a copy with the sound not cut? I watched this as a kid and holds a very special place in my heart

  • @gilesk
    @gilesk 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Legend!

  • @williamkinsey4979
    @williamkinsey4979 ปีที่แล้ว

    😢Back when we took challenges not drugs in this country!

  • @jerryscanas
    @jerryscanas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    And I wondered why I am watching this at 1:42am in the morning

  • @radzeeypaudzi1383
    @radzeeypaudzi1383 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome

  • @greghutchy
    @greghutchy 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    thanks for sharing!!! great video

  • @supertyfon1736
    @supertyfon1736 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    14:12 That large white sea plane must be the last Shorts Sunderland before Kermit Weeks acquired it.

  • @williamkinsey4979
    @williamkinsey4979 ปีที่แล้ว

    I,m pretty sure he flew over Carstensz Pyramid and the glaciers but it looks like we aren,t going to see that!😢

  • @mikeluchia6555
    @mikeluchia6555 ปีที่แล้ว

    Is there any website that lists his complete flightplan for this trip? I'm recreating this trip in Microsoft Flight Simulator and would like to be as accurate as possible.

  • @Vecio801
    @Vecio801 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Top video 👈🔝🎬🎥🔝🔝

  • @macrovigilance
    @macrovigilance 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really enjoyed that - thanks!

  • @maxinumbr
    @maxinumbr 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Incredible journey!!

  • @apd8339
    @apd8339 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    good show.

  • @ukqwerty999
    @ukqwerty999 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Who's the narrator in this, he has the best voice from that era :)

  • @jeanpaulfilippi8964
    @jeanpaulfilippi8964 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    In 1983 only charts and compas... No GPS!

    • @737captain4
      @737captain4 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It was great in those days, learnt to fly in the mid 80s, it was fun, real flying.

  • @EtiRats
    @EtiRats 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Didn’t Dick later become head of CASA, the Australian aviation regulator ?

  • @SirAndi69
    @SirAndi69 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice round!

  • @AmericaVoice
    @AmericaVoice 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks Rory Trackrod for oldie but goodie gym!!!!

  • @jamesfrench7299
    @jamesfrench7299 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I was told he refers to his Bell 206 as the FJ Holden.

  • @chillylizerd
    @chillylizerd 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    There's nothing like spending time with the family to make one fly back off half way around the world... Lol

  • @kayhulk8038
    @kayhulk8038 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    so actually we could travel across the world only with helicopter? Wowwwww.. like how long it takes to get back?

  • @photomukund
    @photomukund 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    What's the music at the start of the vid called?

    • @tiadaid
      @tiadaid 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Pulstar by Vangelis.

    • @photomukund
      @photomukund 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@tiadaid Thank you very much. I keep forgetting its name for no reason. Have been a fan of it since childhood. It has that "kick" to it.

  • @kcnham292
    @kcnham292 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Just watching this solo flight video makes me tired and fatigued. How does Legendary Dick do it? I'd probably take a week's rest and make it a vacation after the first stop to refuel. Jet lag.

  • @audbertodiazdiaz9757
    @audbertodiazdiaz9757 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    some Day i will do that so cool.

    • @stevejansen4505
      @stevejansen4505 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      When you’re ready let me know I’ll come too !

  • @RB747domme
    @RB747domme 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    The opening piece of music in this film was a famous piece of music produced back in the 80s.. In the first minute during the opening introduction - the synthesised composition.. if someone knows it...
    I've been looking for it for years and can't remember what it's called.
    Anyone know it please..?

    • @ianrkav
      @ianrkav 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Pulstar. Vangelis. (No, not Pulsar!)

    • @RB747domme
      @RB747domme 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      ianrkav you sir, are lifesaver, thank you very much!

  • @a-hvlogs2046
    @a-hvlogs2046 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    why wouldnt he just sleep in the thing

  • @47flyer
    @47flyer 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Austin Powers flew around the world? I didn't know that.

  • @markbaker2370
    @markbaker2370 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Why did u do it .. for us

  • @istvansipos9940
    @istvansipos9940 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    so "drink" means "water" in Australian (?)

    • @RoryTrackrod
      @RoryTrackrod  6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yes. It's an English saying. "Going in the drink", means, going in the sea or water...

    • @AviationNut
      @AviationNut 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Istvan Sipos
      No, actually "water" means "water" in Australian, it's just a funny way of saying it "I am going in the drink" but normally in Australia you would say "I am going in the water". It's same thing like sometimes people joke around and say "I got hit on my melon" instead of saying"I got hit on my head".
      Just please don't ask me if "Melon" means "Head" in Canadian. 🤣😂

    • @istvansipos9940
      @istvansipos9940 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      yeah. I thought exactly that type of meaning. Slang. which sometimes is totally different in every country of the same language. Is it Australian ONLY? I've never heard it in 'Murican.

    • @AviationNut
      @AviationNut 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@istvansipos9940
      British say it also and even in the US people are starting to say it, I heard it a couple of times in video's but they could have been Canadian.

    • @Stephen2846
      @Stephen2846 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Going into the drink on the east coast of 'Merica means going into the water. It's gallows humor.

  • @heifner1063
    @heifner1063 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    The americans beat him to it with spirit of texas

  • @babayega_
    @babayega_ 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    FAN-TASTIC

  • @eknuds
    @eknuds 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Krikey, he's flying low sometimes! No wonder he got shot at by poachers.

  • @eugenesteele6183
    @eugenesteele6183 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I will make a similar trip but we will not run out of fuel also all helicopters can join as it is a race for cash

  • @tonymerlot9305
    @tonymerlot9305 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    What business does he have?

    • @peterbrown6224
      @peterbrown6224 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      He founded a chain of electronics shops, a little like Radio Shack.

  • @mike_oe
    @mike_oe 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Bloody well done, no doubt, but why? It's like using a screwdriver for driving in nails. Use a fixed wing A/C for that type of flying, fcs.

    • @louissteven8862
      @louissteven8862 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      More fun?

    • @tiadaid
      @tiadaid ปีที่แล้ว

      He bought a helicopter and they needed to deliver it down to Australia anyway, so why not!

    • @bigpappahemi4263
      @bigpappahemi4263 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@tiadaidHe started in America and end in America, it didn't stay in Australia!

  • @scottduerson3724
    @scottduerson3724 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    LOL Flat Earthers gonna love this video..

  • @hulkflattt7854
    @hulkflattt7854 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    He flew around a FLAT EARTH!!!!!

    • @BentConrod
      @BentConrod 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Lol.. Dick Smith has also done a polar circumnavigation. He has flown over the north and south poles. The earth is a revolving globe, which orbits the sun.

    • @RB747domme
      @RB747domme 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      DownsideUp my little nephew came home from school once, and told the family that he learned about captain James Cook and his attempt to do around the world circumcision..
      You have no idea how much the family cried laughing. Much to his bemusement.. 😆

    • @leeryan1969
      @leeryan1969 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Flat and fixed ))

    • @leeryan1969
      @leeryan1969 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@BentConrod The earth is no revolving globe and nor does it orbit the sun

  • @faqpeach1701
    @faqpeach1701 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    lol

  • @leeryan1969
    @leeryan1969 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    A nice flight around our flat earth ))