History Headscratchers / Airwolf

*** A jetcopter with rotors that could be locked in place for supersonic flight was one of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotorcraft#Stopped_rotors "future tech" ideas]] floating about in TheEighties. The scriptwriters probably got the idea from ''International Combat Arms'' or the like. Just think of it like those Big Wheel {{space station}}s from early sci-fi films that never got built.

*** A jetcopter with rotors that could be locked in place for supersonic flight was one of the "future tech" ideas floating about in TheEighties. The scriptwriters probably got the idea from ''International Combat Arms'' or the like. Just think of it like those Big Wheel {{space station}}s from early sci-fi films that never got built.

*** A jetcopter with rotors that could be locked in place for supersonic flight was one of the "future tech" ideas floating about in TheEighties. The scriptwriters probably got the idea from ''International Combat Arms'' or the like. Just think of it like those Big Wheel {{space station}}s that never got built in the Fifties.

*** A jetcopter with rotors that could be locked in place for supersonic flight was one of the "future tech" ideas floating about in TheEighties. The scriptwriters probably got the idea from ''International Combat Arms'' or the like.

*** The idea of a jet helicopter with rotors that could be locked in place for supersonic flight was one of the "future tech" ideas floating about in TheEighties. The scriptwriters probably got the idea from ''International Combat Arms'' or the like.

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*** As noted by Hawke, the Red Wolf's "creator" apparently didn't design the weapons system, given that he kept missing.

* Several episodes introduced other helicopters that were claimed to be as good, or even better, than Airwolf. We don't get to see them, because Hawke keeps blowing them out of the sky. Of course, the helicopters may be better, but it's still up to the pilot to actually fly the thing.

--> '''Stringfellow Hawke:''' The is '''no way''' that you designed Airwolf's weapons, with aim that bad!
--> '''Stringfellow Hawke, after the Red Wolf's "creator" misses and ends up shooting the mountainside:''' You just killed a mountain!

** You don't remember correctly. Airwolf's inventor stole it from the government. Hawke stole it back, and ransomed it for his POW brother, whom the government denies having any knowledge about. It's acknowledged in dialog that Hawke is simply desperate and his plan has a much larger chance of getting him thrown in federal prison with the key thrown away then actually working. Archangel sets up their working arrangement, where any information ever found on his brother will go straight to Hawke, while Hawke uses Airwolf to get things done for the FIRM. Archangel specifically says this is the only way the FIRM can actually use Airwolf because taking it back means having to turn it over to the Department of Defense, since the FIRM isn't allowed to develop explicit military assets (Arhcangel's original plan was to give Airwolf over to the military in exchange for the development cost and the first five produced, but this didn't work out since the prototype was stolen.) He uses this fact as leverage to keep the FIRM away from Hawke, and he keeps Hawke supplied with ordinance and whatever parts needed for Airwolf's upkeep. In point of fact, other parts of the government that Hawke has no such deal with are often a problem for all of them. Also, Airwolf is hard to spot on radar, (although in reality, it's impossible to really design a stealth helicopter on account of the rotors) has an entire suite of electronics for e-warfare, and even if picked up, is just one little blip in the entire sky.

*** And if I remember correct Hawke was the backup pilot in the development program. Thats why Archangel sent Hawke to steal Airwolf back in the firstplace.

** [[DidNotDoTheResearch You don't remember correctly.]] Airwolf's inventor stole it from the government. Hawke stole it back, and ransomed it for his POW brother, whom the government denies having any knowledge about. It's acknowledged in dialog that Hawke is simply desperate and his plan has a much larger chance of getting him thrown in federal prison with the key thrown away then actually working. Archangel sets up their working arrangement, where any information ever found on his brother will go straight to Hawke, while Hawke uses Airwolf to get things done for the FIRM. Archangel specifically says this is the only way the FIRM can actually use Airwolf because taking it back means having to turn it over to the Department of Defense, since the FIRM isn't allowed to develop explicit military assets (Arhcangel's original plan was to give Airwolf over to the military in exchange for the development cost and the first five produced, but this didn't work out since the prototype was stolen.) He uses this fact as leverage to keep the FIRM away from Hawke, and he keeps Hawke supplied with ordinance and whatever parts needed for Airwolf's upkeep. In point of fact, other parts of the government that Hawke has no such deal with are often a problem for all of them. Also, Airwolf is hard to spot on radar, (although in reality, it's impossible to really design a stealth helicopter on account of the rotors) has an entire suite of electronics for e-warfare, and even if picked up, is just one little blip in the entire sky.

*** Yeah, it seemed obvious to this troper that Archangel knew exactly where Airwolf was, and could have had any number of hotshot pilots steal it, if that had been his goal. Letting Hawke "blackmail" him into providing him with a plausibly denial way of using Airwolf for his own purposes was a case of getting himself thrown into the briar patch. In return for fuel, spare parts, and the occasional nugget of info on Hawke's brother, he gets situations handled for him by a guy he can eventually throw to the wolves if necessary.

** [[DidNotDoTheResearch You don't remember correctly.]] Airwolf's inventor stole it from the government. Hawke stole it back, and ransomed it for his POW brother, whom the government denies having any knowledge about. It's acknowledged in dialog that Hawke is simply desperate and his plan has a much larger chance of getting him thrown in federal prison with the key thrown away then actually working. Archangel sets up their working arrangement, where any information ever found on his brother will go straight to Hawke, while Hawke uses Airwolf to get things done for the FIRM. Archangel specifically says this is the only way the FIRM can actually use Airwolf because taking it back means having to turn it over to the Department of Defense, since the FIRM isn't allowed to develop explicit military assets (Arhcangel's original plan was to give Airwolf over to the military in exchange for the development cost and the first five produced, but this didn't work out since the prototype was stolen.) He uses this fact as leverage to keep the FIRM away from Hawke, and he keeps Hawke supplied with ordinance and whatever parts needed for Airwolf's upkeep. In point of fact, other parts of the government that Hawke has no such deal with are often a problem for all of them. Also, Airwolf is hard to spot on radar, (although in reality, it's impossible to really design a stealth helicopter on account of the rotors) has an entire suite of electronics for e-warfare, and even if picked up, is just one little blip in the entire sky.