S.C.U.M. Helicopter

S.C.U.M. Helicopter
Real-world information
Model	Unknown
Manufacturer	Unknown
Operators	S.C.U.M.
Role	Utility helicopter
Crew	2 (pilot, co-pilot)
Capacity	2 passengers
Armament	x2 laser cannons
Behind the scenes
First seen	James Bond Jr. (TV series); Location: Danger
Last seen	James Bond Jr. (TV series); Dutch Treat

The S.C.U.M. helicopter was a fictional four-bladed armed utility helicopter operated by the criminal organisation, S.C.U.M.. The vehicle made several reoccurring appearances in the 1991 spin-off animated television series, James Bond Jr., beginning with episode 8 ("Location: Danger").

Appearances

An white civilian model of the helicopter appears in episode 8 ("Location: Danger"); first in a dream sequence, based on the Spyman film he fell asleep whilst watching. While filming in Hollywood, the Spyman production uses the SFX helicopter, which Bond and his friends use to pursue S.C.U.M. agent, Felony O'Toole.

Its first introduction as a dedicated S.C.U.M. aircraft is seen in episode 16 ("No Such Loch") in which Walker D. Plank and Jaws escape in a remote-controlled helicopter, after failing to steal missiles from the British Navy.

Later, during episode 28 ("The Emerald Key") Skullcap dangles from a helicopter piloted by Dr. Derange; attempting to grab a mysterious statue from Bond's car. He fails and they fly to a nearby mountain lair. They later use the same aircraft to escape.

In episode 38 ("Avalanche Run"), Jaws and Nick Nack attempt to escape a runaway locomotive on-board a remote controlled helicopter. While grabbing the aircraft's rope ladder the pair fumble and drop the remote, hurtling out of control.

The chopper returned in episode 56 ("Quantum Diamonds") once again piloted by Derange with the assistance of Jaws and Nick Nack. Attempting to steal a crystal, Derange chases Burton "Buddy" Mitchell's car, destroying the rear of the vehicle and forcing Bond and his friends to abandon it. They create a makeshift mortar with a log and geyser, firing a rock which smashes the pilot windshield. However, Jaws lowers Nick Nack from the aircraft, allowing him to snatch the crystal from their hands and fly away.

It appeared a final time, in the hands of Tiara Hotstones and Crowbar, in episode 61 ("Dutch Treat"). Attempting to follow her back to a stolen gem, Bond sneaks on-board and plants a homing device, but is discovered and forced to parachute out in mid-flight. This particular helicopter is destroyed when Hotstones' vision is obscured by a cloud of flower petals and is forced to ditch the aircraft, crashing into low-hanging power lines.

Gadgets

Twin laser cannons — Two forward-firing laser cannons were concealed under the passenger compartment, under the aircraft's ventral fairing. At the press of a button, the hatch dropped to reveal the telescopic barrels.

Gallery

Baron Von Skarin's S.C.U.M. helicopter with under-slung cargo net ("Scottish Mist").

Jaws and Nick Nack cling to the helicopter's rope-ladder ("Avalanche Run").

Dr. Derange's S.C.U.M. helicopter, with variant color-scheme ("Quantum Diamonds").

Wreckage of Hotstones' helicopter after crashing into low-hanging power lines ("Dutch Treat").

Trivia

• 

  Helicopter goof during Mindfield (1991).

  During the thirty-fifth episode of the animated James Bond Jr series, Mindfield, the generic helicopter belonging to Ms. Fortune briefly changes to a military green S.C.U.M. helicopter as the villains lurk around Warfield. When the camera cuts back, it is once again a generic helicopter.
• The S.C.U.M. helicopter was one of three diecast toy vehicles produced by ERTL in 1992. Its white and light-grey paint-scheme bore more of a similarity to the variant in "Quantum Diamonds", than its regular appearances.