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At first I though these were paint shopped or such like, but further surfing it appears they appear to be real pictures and effect. It shows a whirling spark show caused by sand on the leading edges of helicopter rota blades in Afghanistan.
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Part 2


Matt

That's a very interesting effect. I'd never heard of it before now.

Does it happen only with helicopters or can it happen with any kind of prop aircraft? It seems like a bit of a search light out to anyone in the desert though... Friendlies and enemies.

That's a very interesting effect. I'd never heard of it before now.

Does it happen only with helicopters or can it happen with any kind of prop aircraft? It seems like a bit of a search light out to anyone in the desert though... Friendlies and enemies.

I have seen a similar thing once with a Harrier. It was pitch black, night ops and as the engine was wound up the intake was full of static sparks. As for choppers and it being a search light to enemies, I don't think so. If you read the article it does say that when the pictures were taken the only visible thing to see was the chemlights as it was pitch black and a very sensitive camera was used. Also if it was visible to the naked eye, we would have heard about it by now (I would have thought).

Matt