Airwolf was a popular American television series that aired from 1984 to 1987. Created by Donald P. Bellisario, it combined elements of military drama, action, and high-tech adventure, becoming one of the iconic TV shows of the 1980s. Airwolf’s central theme revolved around a technologically advanced helicopter and a group of characters who used it in missions that often involved espionage, high-stakes conflicts, and military intervention.
The Premise
The story focuses on Stringfellow Hawke (played by Jan-Michael Vincent), a reclusive helicopter pilot, and his relationship with a secretive government organization called “The Firm.” Airwolf, a high-tech, supersonic helicopter capable of performing advanced military operations, serves as both the show’s namesake and central plot device. The helicopter is equipped with a vast array of sophisticated weaponry and surveillance tools, making it one of the most formidable flying machines ever conceived in television history.
Hawke is tasked with operating Airwolf after the helicopter is stolen by its creator, Dr. Charles Henry Moffet. Moffet defects to Libya and uses the helicopter for his own dangerous agenda, prompting The Firm to recover it. They recruit Hawke to take the mission, using his advanced piloting skills to retrieve the helicopter and return it to American soil. However, after successfully completing the mission, Hawke, disillusioned by the secrecy and manipulation of the government agency, decides to keep Airwolf for himself.
Hawke makes a deal with The Firm that he will undertake dangerous missions for them using Airwolf but will keep the helicopter hidden in exchange for their help in locating his missing brother, St. John Hawke. St. John was a pilot during the Vietnam War and went missing in action, with Stringfellow’s quest to find him serving as one of the main plotlines throughout the series.
![Airwolf - The Complete Series [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81N3ju55lGL._SL1500_._SL160_.jpg)
- Jan-Michael Vincent stars as Stringfellow Hawke, a reclusive renegade pilot who's assigned to top-secret missions for the CIA by the mysterious "Archangel" (Alex Cord)
- Hawke's weapon of choice is the high-tech battle helicopter of the future, Airwolf
- Loaded with cutting-edge surveillance equipment and unbelievable firepower, Airwolf takes Hawke and his friend Dominic (Ernest Borgnine) around the globe in search of dangerous international spies and criminals
- United Kingdom released, Blu-Ray/Region B : it WILL NOT play on regular DVD player, or on standard US Blu-Ray player
- You need multi-region Blu-Ray player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Biographies, Booklet, Box Set, Collectors Edition, Interactive Menu, Multi-DVD Set, Production Notes, Remastered, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Subject is AIRWOLF-a mach one plus attack helicopter with the most advanced weapons system in the air today
- It has been hidden somewhere in the western United States by it's test pilot Stringfellow Hawke (Jan-Michael Vincent)
- Hawke has promised to return AIRWOLF only if we can find his brother St John, an MIA in Vietnam
- We suspect that Archangel, Deputy Director of the agency, that built AIRWOLF is secretly helping Hawke in return for Hawke's flying AIRWOLF on missions of national concern
Characters
Stringfellow Hawke is the series’ main protagonist. His character is portrayed as a brooding, independent loner who lives in isolation in the mountains of California, playing the cello and reflecting on his lost brother. Despite his gruff demeanor, Hawke is a highly skilled pilot and one of the best operatives for The Firm. His connection to Airwolf and The Firm is reluctant, as his primary goal is to find his brother, and he only uses the helicopter on missions when it benefits his personal objectives.
Dominic Santini (played by Ernest Borgnine) is Hawke’s friend and mentor, as well as a fellow pilot. He runs a helicopter service called Santini Air and becomes Hawke’s trusted ally in operating Airwolf. Santini provides comic relief in contrast to Hawke’s serious personality and serves as his father figure throughout the series. He also assists in many of Airwolf’s missions, providing piloting skills, mechanical expertise, and companionship to Hawke.
Archangel (played by Alex Cord) is the head of The Firm, the clandestine government agency that employs Hawke. Often seen wearing white suits and an eye patch, Archangel is both a manipulator and an ally. He recruits Hawke for dangerous missions but often keeps important information from him. Archangel and The Firm are somewhat ambiguous in their morality, with their actions often leading to moral dilemmas for Hawke.
Other key characters in the show include Caitlin O’Shannessy (played by Jean Bruce Scott), who joins the team in the second season as a pilot and love interest for Hawke, and various government agents, international villains, and adversaries who present threats to Hawke, The Firm, and Airwolf.
- >Model number: MOC-149250, an original design officially licensed from MOCturnal.
- >Features 1039 premium parts constructed from environmentally-friendly ABS material.
- >Includes comprehensive and precise assembly instructions.
- >Provides 24/7 customer service support. We offer a satisfaction guarantee with options for refunds or exchanges, and we will replace missing parts for free.
- >Recommended for individuals 16 years old and above.
- ✈️【Sturdy and durable】This FW450L Airwolf model features a high-precision 700-grade FBL rotor structure for a smoother, more weighted handling feel. Compared to the traditional 450L DFC structure, the flapping hinge has been added to enhance stability in flight.
- ✨【High Voltage Brushless Motor】Adopting 16V high-voltage brushless 2816 motor can increase power and efficiency. Paired with a 32-bit dual-processing 60A all-metal ESC designed specifically for helicopters, it ensures ultra-responsive performance and excellent speed control in intense 3D flight.
- 🏎️【3D Aerobatics】This mode is suitable for experienced players who like to control the aircraft manually, with high speed responsiveness for aerobatic manoeuvres such as flips, rolls and inverted flights, it is an excellent tool for learning navigation skills and a boon for beginners.
- 🪄【Lasting Endurance】With 4S 4450mAh battery and 16V power combination (2816 motor + 60A helicopter-specific metal casing ESC), it greatly improves the efficiency and extends the flight time over 20 minutes. Immerse yourself in long, uninterrupted flights (battery not included in PNP version)!
Airwolf – The Helicopter
The Airwolf helicopter itself was a Bell 222 helicopter, which was modified for the show to appear as a sleek, stealthy, and heavily armed aircraft. In the storyline, Airwolf is capable of supersonic flight, evading radar detection, and carrying out devastating attacks with a wide range of advanced weapons. These include machine guns, missiles, and laser-guided systems. The helicopter’s futuristic technology was one of the primary attractions of the show, often being referred to as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Airwolf could shift between a “normal mode” and an “attack mode,” with attack mode unleashing its full potential. The helicopter’s abilities often drove the action scenes, as Hawke and his team used it to fight off enemy forces, engage in dogfights, or escape from dangerous situations. The combination of sleek design, advanced weaponry, and sophisticated avionics made Airwolf an iconic part of 1980s pop culture.
Plot and Themes
Each episode of Airwolf followed a formula where Hawke and his team would be called upon to undertake secret missions for The Firm. These missions often involved espionage, covert operations, and international conflicts. Airwolf’s missions would take the team to various locations, where they would use the helicopter’s advanced technology to overcome dangerous adversaries.
The show combined elements of action, military drama, and espionage, and the plotlines often reflected Cold War tensions. Many episodes involved Soviet agents, Middle Eastern dictators, or rogue military elements. The Firm itself was portrayed as a shadowy organization, operating in morally gray areas, and Hawke’s relationship with them was frequently strained.
Another key theme of the series was the personal conflict of Stringfellow Hawke. Much of the show revolved around his search for his missing brother, and Hawke’s introspective, often somber personality contrasted with the high-octane action. His character development focused on themes of loyalty, trust, and disillusionment with government institutions.
Production and Reception
Airwolf was originally produced for CBS, where it aired for three seasons. The show was a mid-season replacement in 1984, debuting in January. Its mix of action, cutting-edge technology, and charismatic leads made it popular with audiences, and it developed a dedicated fan base. However, after three seasons, CBS canceled the series due to declining ratings and the high cost of production.
In 1987, the series was revived by the USA Network for a fourth and final season. This version had a lower budget, a new cast, and a change in storyline focus, which did not resonate well with the original fan base. The new cast included Barry Van Dyke as St. John Hawke, Stringfellow’s brother, who was finally found after being missing in action. However, Jan-Michael Vincent and Ernest Borgnine did not return for this season, and the show suffered from poor production values, leading to its eventual cancellation after only a few episodes.
Legacy
Despite its relatively short run, Airwolf became a cultural touchstone of the 1980s. The concept of a super-advanced, heavily armed helicopter was unique and innovative for its time, capturing the imagination of viewers. The show inspired a range of merchandise, including model kits, toys, and video games, as well as several novelizations. Airwolf also left a lasting impact on the genre of military action television, paving the way for later shows that incorporated high-tech vehicles and gadgets as central plot elements.
Airwolf’s blend of Cold War drama, action-packed sequences, and futuristic technology ensured its place in the annals of 1980s television history. Although its fourth season was poorly received, the first three seasons, in particular, remain beloved by fans, and the show’s concept of a covert helicopter used for secret missions continues to be referenced in pop culture today.
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