Flagelpater

Any chance I can get a copy of the Mack 212 helicopter picture? I have the Bulldogs Hood Ornament on the nose of that helicopter.

The headquarters was moved to Allentown by Hansen. He used Aviation to continue the relationship of NYC proximity for business as he wanted to be closer to the operation of manufacturing trucks in Allentown PA. Obviously this was a very successful decision because the company was on a rapid path to bankruptcy at the time. That is why Z. Hansen was brought on board! He turned it around and very soon after his retirement Mack returned towards Bankruptcy.

No, not sightseeing. Business. Moving customers rapidly from Manhattan NY and surrounding airports to Allentown. Prior to Allentown Mack was located very close to NYC.

It was not a commercial Airline! Just what Mack called its flight department. We were the first to fly instruments with helicopters. The military had been doing it for years but the FAA was very slow to allow it. Mack had its own Helicopter Only airway route structure between Boston and Washington DC with a separate structure connecting New York City with Allentown PA. Most military helicopter pilots were qualified to fly in weather, IFR.

Although Mack was in Allentown PA it was able to work like a Manhattan NY corporation. International customers could be in the headquarters within an hour of landing at JFK, LGA or EWR. About 95% of our passengers were customers of Mack. We were not a Royal Barge but a very efficient corporate tool. All aircraft were sold above purchase price because they maintain their value so well.

Having trouble sending photos. Sorry

I was the first helicopter pilot to join Bulldog Airlines in 1969. A Bell JetRanger was the first helicopter followed by an additional Bell 212 twin engine Huey. It was the first to be operational. Mack had serial number 3. New York State and South Korea had numbers 1 and 2 but we're not put into operation until about a year later. When we went to the red/white/blue color scheme I had the Bulldogs installed on the nose of the helicopters as "Ice Detectors" for FAA purposes! These two were the first to fly. Both had more that 2,000 hours before being retired. High speed and rain were very rough on the gold plating.

I have the original Bulldog Hood Ornaments that flew on the Mack Helicopters