I was shocked and pleased to see THE WASP (formally known as G-WASP) displayed as the website's display icon. I bought the machine from Nigel Minchin almost a year ago (24 April 2002). I am looking forward to putting a lot of hours on it. Unfortunately, right now I am in Vasteras, Sweden, and it is with Stephen Payne-Roberts in Rugby, England, because it has that thrust bearing problem and it rides real ruff.
I liked the way THE WASP looked like an insect. When I bought the machine from Nigel Minchin, in England, I was told by the U.K. C.A.A. that I could not keep it on the United Kingdom "G" registration (G-WASP) unless I was a UK citizen or legal resident. Do you believe everything you hear from government authorities? I did.
It turns out they (the UK CAA) were wrong. All European Union residents can own boats and aircraft registered in other EU member states. BUT I found out their mistake too late. I thought about registering it as an "SE" which is Sweden, where I live, but then I started finding out about the EU rules and mime would have been the first B2-B registered here which would have been a real pain.
I also found out that I could register it as an American Citizen to the "N" registration and still fly all over Europe on my American Ticket, and so the G-WASP has become N2052Y. I am painting over the "G-" and writing the word THE instead. That way I get to keep the color scheme and it becomes THE WASP. (And now you know the rest of the story )
Once (IF) I get the machine flyable, I plan to fly it home to Sweden from England. The English Channel should be only about 20 minutes of open water and there will be some island hopping over Denmark.
I am glad Nigel Minchin let me know this site existed. I hope it becomes a productive and useful site. It has already helped me with the thrust bearing problem.
That Helicopter! It's Mine!
Moderator: Paul Sehorne
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- Location: Sweden
- Steve Chenoweth
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WASP
Thanks for the story behind THE WASP. Is this also the same helicopter that was used in one of the James Bond movies?
I hope you get your ship flying soon. I'm placing another post in the Servicing and Maintaining section regarding further diagnosis of my vertical hop problem.
I hope you get your ship flying soon. I'm placing another post in the Servicing and Maintaining section regarding further diagnosis of my vertical hop problem.
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2003 7:38 am
- Location: Sweden
The James Bond Machine?
I am not sure if mine is the actual machine used in either of the Bond movies. I was originally told that the G-WASP was the machine used in "You Only Live Twice". Then, after I mention that I bought the WASP, I have been told by a number of people that my machine was the one used in that movie. I asked one guy why he thought so and he said he had hired the pilot who flew the helicopter in the movie.
I was sortof surprised BUT I found out how to get the proof and it is going to take about 6 months. I have to send the serial number to EON Productions and it will take about 6 months before the historian will find the paperwork. If it is not the ship used in the movie, then it is its sister ship.
I was sortof surprised BUT I found out how to get the proof and it is going to take about 6 months. I have to send the serial number to EON Productions and it will take about 6 months before the historian will find the paperwork. If it is not the ship used in the movie, then it is its sister ship.