The Blue Thunder helicopter receives attention by the production crew. My guess is they are fitting the smoke system to simulate damage. Courtesy G. Mason.

The Blue Thunder helicopter receives attention by the production crew. Note the ladder to install the camera on the top of the tail. Courtesy G. Mason.

One of the Blue Thunder helicopters, Cochraine's Hughes gunship and a camera ship lift out of the LAPD helipad to film the chase sequences. Courtesy of G. Mason.

A close up of the Blue Thunder helicopter shows the true custom job that was done to prepare the basic Gazelle helicopter. Courtesy of G. Mason.

The crew test the damage smoke effect. Courtesy of G. Mason.

The observer's station inside Blue Thunder, where JAFO would sit. This was made mostly of cardboard. Courtesy of G. Mason.

A photo taken from inside Blue Thunder looking out at the other helicopter. Courtesy of G. Mason.

The crew rig a film camera onto the tail of Blue Thunder. Courtesy of G. Mason.

The cockpit of the Blue Thunder helicopter, a lot of which was made of cardboard to save cost and weight. Courtesy of G. Mason.

The Blue Thunder helicopter is prepared for the city chase scene on the LAPD pad. Courtesy of G. Mason.

The Blue Thunder helicopter sits on the LAPD pad. Courtesy of G. Mason.

The two Blue Thunder machines sit on the LAPD pad. Courtesy of G. Mason.

Blue Thunder on the LAPD pad, front view. Courtesy of G. Mason.