Marvel Film 'The Avengers' Continues Hollywood's Love For VTOL
Friday, May 18, 2012 at 09:38AM 
(click pic to enlarge) The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier in the hot Marvel movie The Avengers
(4pix)
Have you ever noticed how much Hollywood is in love with the idea of VTOL aircraft? I guess it's a logical desire... who wouldn't want a flying machine that can do anything and everything? We'd all love to have aircraft that have no limits, but so far, that's just not our reality. Not even close. And that huge flying aircraft carrier above from the excellent and in-theaters-now Marvel movie The Avengers is probably the biggest suspension of reality you're gonna find. It's called the Helicarrier, and while it looks awesome and very believable on screen, can you even imagine the thrust requires to lift a 250 million pound boat? Me either.
But movies like Avatar and The Avengers aren't meant to be based in the reality we live in every day, and that's exactly why we love them so much. And love The Avengers I did... so much that I saw it twice in less than a week! There are very few movies I've done that with. If you haven't seen it yet I suggest you make plans for this weekend to go experience it - I can't imagine you being disappointed. It's a masterpiece of weaving a story together and keeping you engaged and entertained at every moment. And, it has quite a few flying machines in it as well to keep the avgeek happy. I saw it in both 2D and 3D and honestly I found the 2D to be just as enjoyable. So if you're not into wearing funky sunglasses indoors, I'd suggest you go flat and watch the 2D version.
(click pic to enlarge) Helicarrier lift fans (and they're not sucking in everything in sight?)
I loved the detail that the CGI provided on the Helicarrier, but I struggle with the idea that we're making enough thrust to lift that really big boat but we have no trouble keeping airplanes and even people from getting sucked into the fans! Maybe there's some ultra cool tech at work here that I don't relate to that's making it all work. But honestly I didn't let this detract from the amazing movie experience that The Avengers delivers.
(click pic to enlarge) Another VTOL (a Quinjet) approaches the high flying Helicarrier
There are several scenes with what they call a Quinjet, a small versatile VTOL that also has a rear door and ramp. One of the elements that make the aircraft in The Avengers look so believable is the extreme detail in them. There's at least one great view of the landing gear retraction on a Quinjet that looks really cool, along with many other scenes that show remarkable detail.
(click pic to enlarge) The twin fan VTOL Quinjet on the deck of the Helicarrier
And it's not all just the Helicarrier and Quinjets, the F-22 makes a small appearance (it's mentioned, inbound ready to strike, but not shown) and the F-35 makes a few appearance, including getting to play some in VTOL mode as well. I couldn't find any images of the F-35 from the film, maybe because the DoD decided to hold back their participation in the film because it was too unreal. Well, whatever.
So, in the end, The Avengers stretches reality in a wide variety of ways, but the flying machines are actually very well done, especially if you don't let asymmetrical thrust issues get in the way of a good time. In all, The Avengers is an extremely well written story, and when you add a boatload of great characters with excellent actors playing them, you get the biggest film to come down the turnpike in quite a while. If you're one of the 547 people in America that hasn't seen it yet, please go get that done this weekend : )
Reader Comments (7)
I must be the only guy on the planet who didn't like the Avengers. My problem with the movie was the fact that I had to suspend my disbelief a little too much. I know the movie is about a bunch of guys with super powers, but c'mon! A VTOL aircraft carrier? Fighting off an alien invasion? Not my cup of tea.
Cy, I'm with you. I will not see this movie, even if someone paid for my ticket.
As with pretty much any other movie EVER, the Hollywood folks don't seem to have listened to the military/aviation consultants very much - OK, you've got a flying carrier - why is a runway pointed straight at one of the lift fans? Bound to be a bad ending to any takeoff or landing... F-22s, F-35s aside, why are there 1980's-era non-carrier capable ALPHA JETS on the deck? And the "Quinjet" looks like they're paying homage to the Marines landing/assault vehicle from the "Alien" series.
PULeeeez. Too goofed-up for me to waste my time or money.
Cy- According to a wiki entry, the flying carrier (Helicarrier) concept from Marvel originated in a 1965 publication, so the idea for it in their stories has been around for a really long time. Many different versions have appeared over the years as well.
And as you pointed out, The Avengers is about people with super powers... the suspension of the known reality is absolutely essential to watch the film. So including the Helicarrier and aliens in the film's reality seem an easy task. A vast majority of what is presented in film and on TV requires us to enter into a fantasy world (to one extent or another), and as I pointed out in the post, I think that's exactly what draws many of us to these productions.
You're absolutely entitled to not like the film, but I can't really agree with your reasoning for why you don't : )
Marc- I highly encourage you to take a free ticket is someone offers it to you. The Avengers ratings at Rottentomatoes.com are 93% from the critics and 96% from audiences - those are some amazingly high numbers of approval. Of course that doesn't mean you'll like it but obviously most people are loving this film - in a really big way.
The angled runway doesn't seem to be an issue in my mind. Any aircraft launching while the Helicarrier is airborne would likely use the straight deck and the angled deck for landings. And, if they can make a carrier fly, they can surely make a small aircraft never miss or wire on landing, so they never have to be concerned with the lift fan off the end of the runway. When they're on the water, both runways can be used for launching if desired.
The Aplha Jet looking aircraft are clearly meant to represent the Aplha Jet UNGA variant (Ultra Next Generation Aircraft) so their inclusion here makes perfect sense. There were also some Harrier UNGA variants in the film : )
Lastly, I saw the movie twice and I don't remember seeing any views of the Helicarrier that gave the opportunity to come to any frustrating conclusions. Looking at the images here is far different than when you are in the theater taking it all in. Again, I recommend you go see and enjoy The Avengers!
To the 3 critics. I suggest watching a documentary. then the suspension of your disbelief can take hold with unyielding grip. And for others who see beyond the pretense, and imagine tangible possibilities, Innovation waits.
C'mon - So "futuristic" and the best thing they can find as a common fighter aircraft is the Alpha Jet?!
kafdar e3d3fd1842 http://in.humanistics.asia/beadterttafor