Chopper Squad

For the 1975 Italian crime film, see La polizia accusa: il Servizio Segreto uccide.
Chopper Squad
Genre Drama
Starring Dennis Grosvenor
Robert Coleby
Eric Oldfield
Graham Rouse
Country of origin Australia
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 26
Production
Running time 50 minutes
Production company(s) Australian Corp
Release
Original network Network Ten
Original release 5 November 1976 – 18 February 1979

Chopper Squad is an Australian television series produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the 0-10 Network (as it was then known).[1]

The series recounted the work of a helicopter rescue team operating on Dee Why beach in Sydney. It has been said that the American series Baywatch was based upon Chopper Squad.[2]

Production

Pilot

The original pilot was made in 1976, airing in Melbourne in November 1976 and Newcastle (NSW) in August 1977. There was quite a time lag between the pilot and the series going to air in May 1978.

As with many series there were changes between the initial pilot and the series. Three actors from the pilot did not continue into the series - Rebecca Gilling, Max Osbiston and Tony Bonner. Additionally, the surnames of characters Phil and Tim were changed.

Series

The pilot was followed by two series with a total of 26 episodes airing between 1978 and 1979. Shortly after the show began, the " rescue helicopter base" moved its operations from Dee Why Beach Surf Life Saving Club to Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Club.

Cast

Main cast

The leading cast members included Dennis Grosvenor who played rescuer Jebbie Best, Robert Coleby, Eric Oldfield, Jeanie Drynan and Tom Richards.

Guest actors

Notable guest actors included Rebecca Gilling, Vincent Ball, Christine Amor, Alwyn Kurts, Anne Haddy, Joanna Lockwood, Zoe Bertram, Adrian Wright, Normie Rowe, Carmen Duncan, Candy Raymond, Peter Bensley, Don Barker, Brian Wenzel, Belinda Giblin, Tina Bursill, Serge Lazareff, Maggie Kirkpatrick, Ian Gilmour, Vince Martin, Delvene Delaney, Patsy King, James Condon, Chris Orchard, Gordon Piper, Abigail, Nick Tate, Richard Moir, Vincent Gil, Elizabeth Alexander, George Spartels, Shane Porteous, Gerda Nicolson, Sigrid Thornton, Sean Scully, Briony Behets, Alan Cinis and Diane Craig.

The helicopters

VH-UCH

VH-UCH, a Bell 206A, only appeared in the pilot.

VH-FHF

VH-FHF was used for the main series. In real life VH-FHF a Bell 206B "Jet Ranger II" was initially used from aprx. 1977 by Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service, that was established by Surf Life Saving Australia in 1973 on an initial sponsorship of $25 000 from the Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac).

After serving the Wales rescue team, VH-FHF was bought by PHS, professional helicopter services. It’s still in operations serving the Government of Victoria as Firebird 301 and does tourist flights at Uluru.[3]

VH-FHF registration number was given to a MBB Kawasaki BK-117B-2. The "new" VH-FHF is operated by the NSW Rural Fire Service.

References

  1. ↑ Albert Moran, Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series, AFTRS 1993 p 115
  2. ↑ http://www.classicaustraliantv.com/INTVWdennis.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.phs.com.au/

External links

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