- Chopper Squad
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Chopper Squad Genre Drama Starring Dennis Grosvenor
Robert Coleby
Eric Oldfield
Graham RouseCountry of origin Australia Language(s) English No. of seasons 2 No. of episodes 26 Production Running time 50 minutes Production company(s) Australian Corp Broadcast Original channel Ten Original run 5 November 1976 – 18 February 1979 Chopper Squad is an Australian television series produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the 0-10 Network (as it was then known).
The series was based around the work of a helicopter rescue team operating on Dee Why beach in Sydney. It has been said that the American series Baywatch was based upon Chopper Squad.[1]
Contents
Production
Pilot
The original pilot was made in 1976, airing in Melbourne in November 1976 and Newcastle (NSW) in August 1977. There was quite a time lag between the pilot and the series going to air in May 1978.
As with many series there were changes between the initial pilot and the series. Three actors from the pilot did not continue into the series - Rebecca Gilling, Max Osbiston and Tony Bonner. Additionally, the surnames of characters Phil and Tim were changed.
Series
The pilot was followed by two series with a total of 26 episodes airing between 1978 and 1979. Shortly after the show began, the " rescue helicopter base" moved its operations from Dee Why Beach Surf Life Saving Club to Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Club.
Cast
Main Cast
The leading cast members included Dennis Grosvenor who played rescuer Jebbie Best, Robert Coleby, Eric Oldfield, Jeanie Drynan and Tom Richards.
Guest Actors
Notable guest actors included Rebecca Gilling, Vincent Ball, Christine Amor, Alwyn Kurts, Anne Haddy, Joanna Lockwood, Zoe Bertram, Adrian Wright, Normie Rowe, Carmen Duncan, Candy Raymond, Peter Bensley, Don Barker, Brian Wenzel, Belinda Giblin, Tina Bursill, Serge Lazareff, Maggie Kirkpatrick, Ian Gilmour, Vince Martin, Delvene Delaney, Patsy King, James Condon, Chris Orchard, Gordon Piper, Abigail, Nick Tate, Richard Moir, Vincent Gil, Elizabeth Alexander, George Spartels, Shane Porteous, Gerda Nicolson, Sigrid Thornton, Sean Scully, Briony Behets, Alan Cinis and Diane Craig.
References
External links
- Chopper Squad at the Internet Movie Database
- TV Eye - Classic Australian Television
- Chopper Squad at the National Film and Sound Archive
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