The way it's written in the post makes it sound like a ridiculous overreaction. But if you click through to the original article, apparently it was three *toy* fire trucks, a handful of matchbox police cars, and a Woody doll from Toy Story that responded, all perfectly appropriate given the circumstances.
@badasscat: which episode? I remember RC Heli's in the war games episode and when Homer was fishing toy soldiers out of Marge's hair: "no man left behind".
Chesley Sullenberger would have successfully landed the helicopter in the river -- regardless of size. this pilot was obviously an amateur and i am guessing no taller than four foot three.
This reminds me of a story where someone called in a car in a lake. The cops and rescue teams arrive, but it turns out two guys are fishing on the bank with Coleman type lanterns, which from a little bit away, looked like headlights b/c of the distance apart.
The human brain has a difficult time grasping scale when there is little or nothing to compare... like the sky, mixed with high speed. I for one am glad that the motorist called the police...
@GitEmSteveDave: WalkinOnSunshine:
Could've been blocked by trees and what not. a small RC helicopter in the sky could look like a full-sized one in the distance, then it plunging into the scene behind the trees or whatever might have been playing tricks with someone's head.
For those not interested in clicking through to the story, fire and police were responding to a 911 call from a frantic motorist. The idiot motorist was the moron who could not distinguish a 2 foot-long RC helicopter from the genuine article.
@OMG! Ponies!: Why read it? Inevitably SOMEONE will post a quick and dirty summary with just the right amount of snark while chastising us for not reading it ourselves.
@OMG! Ponies!: Thanks for shedding some perspective on this.
While I can hardly fault any cop or fireman that shows up, the folks who call this crap in need to take a second look before panicking and wasting everyone's time.
Though, I gotta admit, it would be pretty damn funny to be that guy's drinking buddy that night. "So, heard you had a little incident today, huh?"
The B-2 is pretty big, but it seems out of place on this list. The C-5, An-124, An-225, B747, or A380 are even more impressive, if not as alien looking.
@Nathan Bingham: That's an An-124, not the An-225. The -225 is a larger derivative of the -124 originally designed to carry Buran. It has 6 engines instead of 4, using the same outer wing sections attached to an extended inner wing. And it has twin vertical tails on the ends of the horizontal stabilizer, not the single vertical tail of the -124 seen here.
$10,000. I'll throw anyone's camera in the air for $50..... with guarantee it'll land somewhere!
If that things falls out the air it's the same effect as throwing it.
Would you trust this thing with your pride and joy $600 camera on board?? exactly!!!
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"what is this, a helicopter for ants? it should be at least... TWO times as big!"
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@TheGerk: The one where he faked his own death? With Handosme Pete who dances for knickles? That was a prop plane IIRC.
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Apparently there is a person stranded.
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Hrmmm, a helicopter crashed into the river I'm driving over on a bridge, but it only made a three foot splash....
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Could've been blocked by trees and what not. a small RC helicopter in the sky could look like a full-sized one in the distance, then it plunging into the scene behind the trees or whatever might have been playing tricks with someone's head.
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While I can hardly fault any cop or fireman that shows up, the folks who call this crap in need to take a second look before panicking and wasting everyone's time.
Though, I gotta admit, it would be pretty damn funny to be that guy's drinking buddy that night. "So, heard you had a little incident today, huh?"
"Shut up."
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Also, Rosa, wtf is with the story? The officers confused what - no, a motorist did!
Where the hell does Gizmodo find these people?
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My favorite massive machine has always been the C5 Galaxy.
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@Gann: Here it is NOMMING on an M1
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@Gann: I was always partial to the antonov an-225
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If that things falls out the air it's the same effect as throwing it.
Would you trust this thing with your pride and joy $600 camera on board?? exactly!!!
08/11/09