Farmer Builds Helicopter From Scratch

[matcom]

<snip>

HANOI, Vietnam -- With directions from the Internet and an old Russian truck motor, a Vietnamese farmer fulfilled his dream of making his own helicopter. The job took two friends, seven years and $30,000.

Now, military officials say he can't fly it, because he didn't get approval to build it, and they confiscated the makeshift copter.

"It's my hobby," farmer Le Van Danh complained by telephone Monday from his hometown of Tay Ninh, in Vietnam's southwest. "I will do whatever I can, including going to the prime minister, to get the permission."

True, he admits, the helicopter is still a work in progress: It only rises about 18 inches off the ground. "We are in the process of a fifth test of moving forward and backward, left and right," Danh said.

http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2004/02/16/farmer_builds_helicopter_from_scratch/

[onebigbadwulf]

1. I dont know if its more sad that they took it, or knowing they'd do the

same in America.

[Throckmorton]

8. Really, would they?

Thats right, the Government comes and takes my stuff all the time in America. I forgot.

[BlueJazz]

2. OK...OK....I'll be the first to say the obvious.

"I'm not so sure this project is going to get off the ground". :)

[Beaker]

6. but it already has...

18 inches worth.

[underpants]

3. Welcome to VietnamAir flight 1 we will be flying at an altitude of...

about 18 inches so sit back and enjoy the movie....

[BlueJazz]

4. ROTFLMAO!

Good one!....

[matcom]

5. upon our approach, we ask you all to put your feet down

:bounce:

[underpants]

7. LOL