* In the late 1960s, the German Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm firm (MBB, now part of Airbus Helicopter) introduced a utility helicopter, the "Bo 105", that proved very successful on the global helicopter market. It was followed by an improved successor, the Airbus "H135", which is now in widespread service. MBB also collaborated with Kawasaki of Japan to develop a scaled-up derivative of the Bo 105, the "BK 117", which proved popular as well and -- through technology cross-breeding with the H135 -- led to the Airbus "H145".
This document provides a history and description of the Bo 105, H135, BK 117, and H145. It also discusses the Indian HAL Dhruv helicopter, designed with MBB assistance and more or less a scaled-up BK 117 -- along with the HAL Prachand gunship derivative of the Dhruv, and the Kawasaki "OH-1 Ninja" scout helicopter. A list of illustration credits is provided at the end.
