Whirlybirds
Encyclopedia
Whirlybirds is an American
drama
television series
.
Its 111 episodes — broadcast from February 4, 1957, through January 18, 1960 — were produced by Desilu Studios
.
In the United Kingdom
, it was shown by the BBC
in the late 1950s and early 1960s and repeated in the 1970s and late 1980s. In Italy
, RAI
dubbed many episodes in the early 1960s with the title Avventure in elicottero.
and Craig Hill), owners of a fictitious helicopter
chartering company, Whirlybird Service, in the American West
, who sold their services to various clients out of the also fictional Longwood Field.
The Whirlybirds TV show was produced by Desilu Studios, which also produced the popular and iconic sitcom I Love Lucy
. One particular episode of that show, number 140, became pivotal to the Bell 47
's public image as the definitive light helicopter of the 1950s. In 140, which was entitled "Bon Voyage" and first aired on CBS January 16, 1956, Lucy misses the sailing of her transAtlantic oceanliner and commandeers a friendly Bell 47G to fly her out to the ship. Down she goes on the hoist, in a studio sequence carefully staged using a 47G cabin mockup. Desilu Studios, intrigued by the Bell 47 and its manufacturer, began discussions with Bell Aircraft
about how the entertainment potential of the Bell 47 might be further developed for a television audience. The result of this collaboration became The Whirlybirds.
Actors Kenneth Tobey and Craig Hill did not fly the helicopters on the show. That job was done by expert copter pilots Ed Fuderich, Bob Gilbreath and Harry Hauss of National Helicopter, Inc.
After production of Whirlybirds ended, CBS
returned 39 out of the 111 episodes to syndication and retitled the series, Copter Patrol.
Many episodes were directed by Harve Foster and Robert Altman
. The creators were Art Napoleon and Jo Napoleon.
. The production first used the Santa Susanna Airport in Simi Valley
. The airport, which is no longer in existence, was in close proximity to the Iverson Ranch, a dude ranch used to film westerns. Later episodes were filmed at the San Fernando Airport, which is also now closed.
Much of the open landscape seen around both airports in the series has been developed since the 1960s.
and a 47J Ranger
; the tail numbers were N975B and N2838B (and N1538B as back-up), respectively. In reality, many helicopters played the role of N975B. Other Bell 47Gs owned by National Helicopter Service, Inc. were used in the filming with "N975B" decals covering their actual registrations.
Whirlybirds was excellent free advertising for Bell, as each episode showed the remarkable capabilities of this new type of aircraft. Seeing the potential for daring rescues where conventional aircraft could not go and the myriad of other unique uses for helicopters helped sales for Bell and for National Helicopter.
Whirlybirds, apparently, went out of production when Textron
purchased the Bell Aerospace part of the Bell Aircraft in 1960. Bell Aerospace was composed of three divisions of Bell Aircraft, including its helicopter division, which had become its only aircraft-producing division. Bell Aircraft lives on today as Bell Helicopter.
sets are available. The U.S. National Archives
possesses a complete set of original 16 mm
prints.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
drama
Dramatic programming
Dramatic programming in the UK, or television drama and television drama series in the US, is television program content that is scripted and fictional along the lines of √a traditional drama. This excludes, for example, sports television, television news, reality show and game shows, stand-up...
television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
.
Its 111 episodes — broadcast from February 4, 1957, through January 18, 1960 — were produced by Desilu Studios
Desilu Productions
Desilu Productions was a Los Angeles, California-based company jointly owned by actors Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, who were married to each other from 1940 to 1960....
.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, it was shown by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in the late 1950s and early 1960s and repeated in the 1970s and late 1980s. In Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, RAI
RAI
RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...
dubbed many episodes in the early 1960s with the title Avventure in elicottero.
Plot synposis
The show was about Chuck Martin and Pete (P.T.) Moore (Kenneth TobeyKenneth Tobey
Kenneth Tobey was an American stage, television, and film actor.-Early years:Born in Oakland, California, Tobey was headed for a law career when he first dabbled in acting at the University of California Little Theater...
and Craig Hill), owners of a fictitious helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
chartering company, Whirlybird Service, in the American West
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
, who sold their services to various clients out of the also fictional Longwood Field.
The Whirlybirds TV show was produced by Desilu Studios, which also produced the popular and iconic sitcom I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on the Columbia Broadcasting System...
. One particular episode of that show, number 140, became pivotal to the Bell 47
Bell 47
The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Based on the third Model 30 prototype, Bell's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946...
's public image as the definitive light helicopter of the 1950s. In 140, which was entitled "Bon Voyage" and first aired on CBS January 16, 1956, Lucy misses the sailing of her transAtlantic oceanliner and commandeers a friendly Bell 47G to fly her out to the ship. Down she goes on the hoist, in a studio sequence carefully staged using a 47G cabin mockup. Desilu Studios, intrigued by the Bell 47 and its manufacturer, began discussions with Bell Aircraft
Bell Aircraft
The Bell Aircraft Corporation was an aircraft manufacturer of the United States, a builder of several types of fighter aircraft for World War II but most famous for the Bell X-1, the first supersonic aircraft, and for the development and production of many important civilian and military helicopters...
about how the entertainment potential of the Bell 47 might be further developed for a television audience. The result of this collaboration became The Whirlybirds.
Actors Kenneth Tobey and Craig Hill did not fly the helicopters on the show. That job was done by expert copter pilots Ed Fuderich, Bob Gilbreath and Harry Hauss of National Helicopter, Inc.
After production of Whirlybirds ended, CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
returned 39 out of the 111 episodes to syndication and retitled the series, Copter Patrol.
Production
The first four episodes were titled The Whirlybirds and the rest simply Whirlybirds.Many episodes were directed by Harve Foster and Robert Altman
Robert Altman
Robert Bernard Altman was an American film director and screenwriter known for making films that are highly naturalistic, but with a stylized perspective. In 2006, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized his body of work with an Academy Honorary Award.His films MASH , McCabe and...
. The creators were Art Napoleon and Jo Napoleon.
Filming
The series was filmed on location in CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The production first used the Santa Susanna Airport in Simi Valley
Simi Valley, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Simi Valley had a population of 124,237. The population density was 2,940.8 people per square mile...
. The airport, which is no longer in existence, was in close proximity to the Iverson Ranch, a dude ranch used to film westerns. Later episodes were filmed at the San Fernando Airport, which is also now closed.
Much of the open landscape seen around both airports in the series has been developed since the 1960s.
Guest stars
(partial list)- Walter CoyWalter CoyWalter Darwin Coy was an American stage, radio, film, and, principally, television actor, originally from Great Falls, Montana. He was best known for narrating the NBC western anthology series, Frontier, which aired early Sunday evenings in the 1955-1956 season.-Career:Coy performed on Broadway...
as Dr. Morgan in "Fear" (1958) - Francis De SalesFrancis De Sales (actor)Francis A. De Sales was an American actor. He was known for his roles on two early television series: as police Lieutenant Bill Weigand on the CBS and then NBC drama Mr. and Mrs. North and as Sheriff Maddox in the syndicated western Two Faces West...
as John Osborn in the 1957 episode "Lynch Mob" - Dean FredericksDean FredericksDean Fredericks was an American actor best known for his portrayal of the comic strip character Steve Canyon in a 34-episode television series of the same name which aired from 1958-1959 on NBC. He was born Frederick Joseph Foote in Los Angeles, California...
as Chalky in the 1957 episode, "Lady Luck" - Ron HagerthyRon HagerthyRonald F. "Ron" Hagerthy is a former American actor known primarily for his guest-starring and supporting roles on television westerns. In 1952, he portrayed Clipper King in the modern western series, Sky King, with Kirby Grant in the title role of Clipper's uncle, Schuyler "Sky" King, pilot of...
as Steve in the 1959 episode, "His Brother's Keeper" - Tyler McVeyTyler McVeyTyler McVey was an American character actor.-Early life and career:McVey was born in Bay City on Saginaw Bay in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. His first screen role, uncredited, came at the age of 39 in 1951, when he portrayed Brady in the The Day the Earth Stood Still...
as Everts in the 1957 episode "Fire Flight" - Joyce MeadowsJoyce MeadowsJoyce Meadows is a Canadian-American actress. From 1960-1961, she co-starred as Stacy in the syndicated western series Two Faces West with Charles Bateman and Francis De Sales...
as Mrs. Hobbs in the 1957 episode "The Ashley Case" - John M. PickardJohn Pickard (American actor)John M. Pickard was an American actor who appeared primarily in television Westerns.-Early life and career:...
as Nick Faro in the episode "Hostage" - Gary VinsonGary VinsonGary Vinson was an American actor who appeared in significant roles in three television series of the 1960s: The Roaring 20s, McHale's Navy, and Pistols 'n' Petticoats.-Early life and career:...
made his screen debut in the 1957 episode "Story of Sister Brigit". He played a youth in an orphanageOrphanageAn orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
having problems adapting to foster parents.
Helicopters used
The two helicopter types used were Bell models, a 47GBell 47
The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Based on the third Model 30 prototype, Bell's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946...
and a 47J Ranger
Bell 47J Ranger
|-See also:-References:* -External links:* from The International Directory of Civil Aircraft by Gerard Frawley...
; the tail numbers were N975B and N2838B (and N1538B as back-up), respectively. In reality, many helicopters played the role of N975B. Other Bell 47Gs owned by National Helicopter Service, Inc. were used in the filming with "N975B" decals covering their actual registrations.
Whirlybirds was excellent free advertising for Bell, as each episode showed the remarkable capabilities of this new type of aircraft. Seeing the potential for daring rescues where conventional aircraft could not go and the myriad of other unique uses for helicopters helped sales for Bell and for National Helicopter.
Whirlybirds, apparently, went out of production when Textron
Textron
Textron is a conglomerate that includes Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Greenlee, among others. It was founded by Royal Little in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company, and is headquartered at the Textron Tower in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.With total revenues of...
purchased the Bell Aerospace part of the Bell Aircraft in 1960. Bell Aerospace was composed of three divisions of Bell Aircraft, including its helicopter division, which had become its only aircraft-producing division. Bell Aircraft lives on today as Bell Helicopter.
Background facts
- - In the opening credits, the picture is reversed. Observe the registration numbers on the cabin.
- - The Whirlybirds answering service phone number is AT1-6999
- - The Whirlybirds radio frequency was 1077, call sign of Seven Five Bravo.
- - There were three secretaries in the series, Janet Culver (Sandra Spence), Helen Carter (Nancy Hale) and Jean (Bunny Cooper)
- - Both Chuck Martin and P.T. Moore served in the Korean WarKorean WarThe Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, although not in the same unit. - - Chuck Martin was a POW for eight months, and while he was missing in action his fiancée got married.
DVD
Some copies of the series are sold on the internet, but no officially authorized DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
sets are available. The U.S. National Archives
National Archives and Records Administration
The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent agency of the United States government charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records and with increasing public access to those documents, which comprise the National Archives...
possesses a complete set of original 16 mm
16 mm film
16 mm film refers to a popular, economical gauge of film used for motion pictures and non-theatrical film making. 16 mm refers to the width of the film...
prints.
Whirlybirds - The first season
- 1. Big U (2/4/1957)
- 2. Rampage (2/18/1957)
- 3. Boy On The Roof (2/11/1957)
- 4. Fire Flight (2/25/1957)
- 5. Hot Wire (3/18/1957)
- 6. Mountain Flight (3/25/1957)
- 7. Ghost Town Flight (3/11/1957)
- 8. Hostage (3/4/1957)
- 9. Diamond Smugglers (4/1/1957)
- 10. Lynch Mob (4/8/1957)
- 11. Sky Net (4/15/1957)
- 12. Prison Break (4/22/1957)
- 13. Top Of The Mountain (4/29/1957)
- 14. Operation Blue Hen (5/6/1957)
- 15. The Human Bomb (5/13/1957)
- 16. Missing Witness (5/20/1957)
- 17. The Egg Code (5/27/1957)
- 18. Superstition Mountain (6/3/1957)
- 19. Homicide Haven (6/10/1957)
- 20. Riptide (6/17/1957)
- 21. The Black Pearl (6/24/1957)
- 22. Illegal Entry (7/1/1957)
- 23. Lady Luck (7/8/1957)
- 24. Hide And Seek (7/15/1957)
- 25. Hobson's Choice (7/23/1957)
- 26. Crisis (7/29/1957)
- 27. Journey To The Past (8/5/1957)
- 28. Aerial Circus (8/12/1957)
- 29. Cycle Of Terror (8/19/1957)
- 30. Fury Canyon (10/7/1957)
- 31. The Rustlers (10/14/1957)
- 32. I'll Get Even (10/21/1957)
- 33. Incident In Del Rio (10/28/1957)
- 34. Sky Hook (11/5/1957)
- 35. The Secret Cove (11/11/1957)
- 36. Take A Little, Leave A Little (2/10/1958)
- 37. Airborne Gold (1/13/1958)
- 38. Iron Mountain (1/20/1958)
- 39. Panic At Green Ridge (1/27/1958)
Whirlybirds - The second season
- 40. Seven Were Trapped (2/3/1958)
- 41. The Ashley Case (2/10/1958)
- 42. Hit And Run (2/17/1958)
- 43. The Runaway (2/24/1958)
- 44. The Brothers (3/3/1958)
- 45. Search for an Unknown Man (3/10/1958)
- 46. The Killer (3/17/1958)
- 47. The Unwanted (3/24/1958)
- 48. Mister Q (3/31/1958)
- 49. Seven Orchids (4/7/1958)
- 50. Father and Son (4/14/1958)
- 51. Time Out Of Mind (4/21/1958)
- 52. Buy Me A Miracle (4/28/1958)
- 53. Infra-Red (5/5/1958)
- 54. An Apple For The Teacher (5/12/1958)
- 55. Blind Date (5/19/1958)
- 56. Blind Victory (5/26/1958)
- 57. Copters and Robbers (6/2/1958)
- 58. If I Were King (6/9/1958)
- 59. Dog Gone (6/16/1958)
- 60. Fear (6/23/1958)
- 61. Time To Kill (6/30/1958)
- 62. Two Came Back (7/7/1958)
- 63. Summit Meeting (7/14/1958)
- 64. Robert Dixon, M.D. (10/20/1958)
- 65. Uncle Pete (10/27/1958)
- 66. Hide Out (11/3/1958)
- 67. Baby Face (11/10/1958)
- 68. Glamor (11/17/1958)
- 69. Address Unknown (11/24/1958)
- 70. The Story of Sister Bridget (12/1/1958)
- 71. Midnight Show (12/8/1958)
- 72. 27 Pieces of Gold (12/15/1958)
- 73. Dead On Arrival (12/22/1958)
- 74. An Act Of Fate (12/29/1958)
- 75. Always A Gentleman (1/5/1959)
- 76. Road Block (1/12/1959)
- 77. C.O.D. (1/19/1959)
- 78. Rest In Peace (1/26/1959)
Whirlybirds - The third season
- 79. A Matter Of Trust (4/6/1959)
- 80. Guilty Of Old Age (4/13/1959)
- 81. Christmas in June (4/20/1959)
- 82. Til Death Do Us Part (4/27/1959)
- 83. Time Limit (5/4/1959)
- 84. Experiment X-74 (5/11/1959)
- 85. His Brother's Keeper (5/18/1959)
- 86. Obsession (5/25/1959)
- 87. The Challenge (6/1/1959)
- 88. The Big Lie (6/8/1959)
- 89. Without a Net (6/15/1959)
- 90. The Fugitive (6/22/1959)
- 91. The Perfect Crime (6/29/1959)
- 92. The Unknown Soldier (7/6/1959)
- 93. Two of a Kind (7/13/1959)
- 94. In Ways Mysterious (7/20/1959)
- 95. The Deadly Game (7/27/1959)
- 96. Bankrupt Alibi (8/3/1959)
- 97. The Black Maria (8/10/1959)
- 98. This Sitting Duck (8/17/1959)
- 99. Wanted - Alive (8/24/1959)
- 100. The Deacon (8/31/1959)
- 101. Rita Ames Is Missing (9/7/1959)
- 102. The Story of Mary Scott (9/14/1959)
- 103. Pink Is For Death (9/21/1959)
- 104. Star Witness (9/28/1959)
- 105. Mr. Jinx (10/5/1959)
- 106. File 777 (10/12/1959)
- 107. Hot Cargo (10/19/1959)
- 108. Shoot Out (10/26/1959)
- 109. Man, You Kill Me (11/2/1959)
- 110. Dead Wrong (11/9/1959)
- 111. Four Little Indians (1/18/1960)