Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge MBB/Kawasaki BK.117 - Helicopter

Well it just goes to show you learn something new every day. I was educated today to find out that Kawasaki make a helicopter

Web Clicky

Nah, can't be a Kawasaki, it's not even the right "Mean Green" color!!!!


But seriously, I noticed that MBB (Messerschmitt like the WW2 Fighter) is also in the name, so I wonder if Kaw is just building them under license or actually designs them? Wouldn't surprise me since the parent companies of names like Kawasaki and Yamaha and others are making their money on other stuff like this, and the motorcycle stuff is a very very small part of their company....

OK, what the heck, why are there links in my post, that I didn't put there?!! Me thinks I've been hit with some unwanted advertising spyware during a download last night!!! LOUSY SOB's Hmm, wonder if it's part of Google, since it has this AutoLinks feature turned on...

Never gave it a second thought but I just finished reading a book where the guy mentions some Kawasaki helicopter.

Amazing what some of the pies these big companies get their fingers into.

When I asked on another forum if any one knew what make this was and they told me I sort of sniggered yeah right I am sure. Anyway I looked it up and true to his word it was a Kawasaki

I believe Kawasaki was making aircraft long before they got in the motorcycle business. Like since the early '30s. They actually made some pretty well respected fighter aircraft. Kawasaki Heavy Industries have their hands in a bit of everything.

Why not. Yamaha makes pianos and geetars.

Hmmm, looks very much like an Aerospatial twirley bird.....
have not had the privilage of flying one but they say they handel very well......

I have worked with Kawasaki gas turbines before. They make some pretty tough small engines.

Kawasaki was/is a heavy industries company before they started making motorcycles. Of the four Japaneese bike makers they are the youngest.

They also make Trains, Engines for ships and all sorts of BIG stuff. Motorcycles was and i think still is only a small part of there operation.

Talking of big Japanese stuff,take a look at the crankshaft on this:-
http://people.bath.ac.uk/ccsshb/12cyl/

Yes...Kawasaki make some good stuff....have used several of their small engines...and as you say,,,good turbines ......
Never flown one though...just Bell and MD

Does anyone care what Kawasaki makes on a Triumph website?????

Yup! Otherwise, no one would have posted!

At the Classic Brit Bike Show, in Hadaam Neck,CT,
I saw a paralell twin Kawa, that looked just like
an old Bonnie, not sure what it was.

I also remember a 500cc, single thumper, that Yamaha
made in the late 70's, early 80's.

unclecharlie,
I suspect it was one of these....

Kawa W650

On Superbikes this week they showed a Kawasaki at the drag strip that beat a Zuzuki hayabusa two out of three races. I thought that was pretty impressive.

Man for once in my life I can speak to a topic with more than just asking another question.

And here is the real story. The BK 117 is made by Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm and it has a Kawasaki transmission! A consortium by the name of Euro-Copter.

Now the reason I know is because I work IN the back of one and I hear the schpeal every Monday to new employees who come to look at the Bird. We are also a factory Authorized maintenance facility for American Euro-Copter.

Now, having said all that it comes down to this. The most important part of the helicopter, next to the blades all staying on, is the transmission. If it seizes, we become like a rock in the air, much like if the blades fall off.

Engines can fail and we can get to the ground rather nicely and with a change of drawers be back to work the next day. If the tranny fails, well, we may or may not look so good in a suit stuffed in a box.

I just found another link that shows the same models listed as Kawasaki rather than MBB. They may have places where that is the case like Honda Trials Bikes cannot be imported in the US, but the Montesa a Spanish bike, the very same bike, can. But I can't verify the information on the site where I saw that.
BK117 911SM Duluth, Minnesota

Heres my work toy