Harold

## Harold the Helicopter

**Harold** **the helicopter** is a rescue helicopter who patrols the Island of Sodor, searching for emergencies.

## Biography

When Harold first met Percy, he stated that railways were "slow and out-of-date", but was proven wrong when Percy beat him in a race. Harold also dropped hot drinks for Percy's crew when they were stranded in a floating river. When Thomas' brakes failed while boarding at a station, Harold chased him down the line with an inspector. For Christmas that year Harold brought Father Christmas to the party at Tidmouth Station. However, he still had a bit of a rivalry with Percy. Once, when the Mail Train was threatened to be scrapped, rumours began to spread that Harold would make the deliveries instead. However, Thomas and Percy worked even harder than ever to prevent that from happening and Harold's chances of taking over the mail run were stopped when the unpredictable strong winds caused him to be grounded.

When Percy stopped at a broken signal, Harold was sent to take the mail for him and continued to tease Percy about being slow. However, the net of mail was too heavy on Harold, got him caught in a tree and caused Harold to fall into a haystack. Percy, who witnessed the incident, ran off to get help. Harold thanked Percy, who had the last laugh with the engines and this was the last time Harold had ever teased Percy.

Harold used to live at Dryaw Airfield by Thomas' Branch Line. He keeps a watchful eye over Sodor in case of trouble and speeds to the rescue of anyone in distress.

## Personality

When Harold was first introduced, he was shown to be very proud of being able to fly and the speed and versatility this gives him. He somewhat tended to be cocky, as he believed that "railways are slow and quite out of date". This caused a bit of rivalry between him and the engines, particularly Percy and he is usually nicknamed "whirlybird" for that, but he usually got his comeuppance in the end. Sometimes, he finds himself in need of Percy's help after he teases him for being slow. Despite this, he still works hard and deep down, he knows that the engines on the Fat Controller's railway, including Percy, are just as useful as he is. He is always helpful and highly alert whenever there is an emergency, especially on patrol. Because of this, he remains a friend to the railway.

However, since he joined the Sodor Search and Rescue Centre, he has acted a lot more mature and almost never teases the engines. He takes his job as part of the team very seriously and continues to remain on patrol.

Harold also speaks in a manner reminiscent of an RAF pilot, using terms such as "wizard" and "old chap" in conversation.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Harold is based on a Sikorsky S-55 helicopter (also known as Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw), built in the UK as the Westland Whirlwind. He has added floats. Around 70 of these still survive in some form.

### Livery

Harold is painted white with red lining. His name is painted on his sides, near his tail, in red. In the later Railway Series books under Christopher Awdry, the area below Harold's red stripe is light grey.

## Appearances

### Season 4

* Kidnapped! (*does not speak*)
* A Christmas Wish (*cameo*)

### Season 5

* Slow Down, Thomas and Bertie! (*cameo*)
* Gordon and Scott (*cameo*)

### Season 7

* No Laughing Matter (*cameo*)
* Bill and Ben's Christmas Rescue (*mentioned*)

### Season 9

* A New Friend For Trevor (*cameo*)
* Percy and the Express (*cameo*)
* Christmas Day Emergency! (*does not speak*)

### Season 12

* Harold the Hero
* A Cranky New Year! (*music video cameo*)