Tag Archives: olympia

An Old School Cobra

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The Cobra is still a big part of Marine Corps aviation with the Zulu model the current favorite as it replaces the previous Whiskey models.  However, the Cobra started out life as an Army attack helicopter.  While they are long retired from Army service, old examples still are airworthy and one of them was performing at the Olympia air show.  I was rather pleased to see it when it initially arrived and then it performed a flying display alongside a Huey.

A lightly loaded Cobra is still an agile beast and this one was being thrown around with some zeal.  Unfortunately, the sky was rather overcast so the shape was a bit disguised by the shadows but it was still great to see the narrow fuselage combined with the broad chord rotor as it thrashed its way around the display.  What a cool looking machine.

The Only Airworthy Huskie

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This one is about as rare as something gets.  If you are the only airworthy example, the only thing that is going to beat you is the only example at all.  The Kaman Huskie is a neat little helicopter.  It features the Kaman intermeshing rotor design which removes the requirement for a tail rotor and results in a pretty compact configuration.  These used to be in widespread service with the US forces.  Now they are scrapped or in museums.

This one lives in Olympia and it comes out to fly at their annual air show.  Apparently, there are only about 14 hours left on the rotor blades and there are no more blades so the flying is rationed carefully to get a few more years out of her.  Kaman’s rotor blade design includes control surfaces on the blade so these are not a simple item.

Seeing her towed out was a lot of fun and I was delighted when she taxied out and took off for the display.  What a fascinating shape and something genuinely different.  I was so pleased, even if the light was rather sketchy.  A cloudy Huskie is better than no Huskie at all.

Olympia Capitol building

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wpid6875-AU0E1523.jpgI was in Olympia WA recently for some meetings.  The meetings were near the state capitol and with some time free at lunchtime, I wandered over to have a look around.  The building is quite similar in form to a number of capitol buildings with a domed structure topping the main building.  It was very nicely decorated with it being impressive without be too grandiose.  I met one of the building guides as I came in and she kindly showed me around including letting me into one of the function rooms that is normally locked.

wpid6901-AU0E1649.jpgGeorge Washington appears throughout the building in various places as you might expect for a state named after him.  Neither chamber was sitting while I was there so I could go to the visitors galleries for both and walk around without restrictions.  We even got to go into the Governor’s office to see the room in which he holds meetings with visitors.  (We didn’t go into the office he occupies as I think he was in there at the time!)  The grounds around the capitol were very nice too and it was a great day so not a bad way to spend a lunch break.