Fiat made a helicopter that looks like your Gran's drinks cabinet

James Cleary
Deputy Editor
6 Aug 2018
1 min read

Fiat Aviazione may have called its 7002 a medium-size, general-purpose helicopter, but we think 'The Flying Cocktail Cabinet' is a better description.

Honestly, install an ice bucket alongside a few oversize bottles of Cinzano or Campari and the look is complete.

Produced in 1960, in response to an Italian government contract, the 7002's fuselage was actually built of aluminium rather than walnut, and powered by a "turbo-generator" driving compressed air to jets at the rotor tips.

Designed to be flexible, it could carry, i) a pilot and six passengers, ii) a pilot, an assistant and two stretchers, or iii) a pilot and 2500 litres of freight.
Designed to be flexible, it could carry, i) a pilot and six passengers, ii) a pilot, an assistant and two stretchers, or iii) a pilot and 2500 litres of freight.

Designed to be flexible, it could carry, i) a pilot and six passengers, ii) a pilot, an assistant and two stretchers, or iii) a pilot and 2500 litres of freight.

Sadly, the project never really got off the ground, with only one prototype being built before the cabinet was filed away.

But check out its big brother, the 7500, billed as "The Flying Train". Plenty of room for extra champagne, vodka and cranberry juice in that bad boy.

The 7500, billed as
The 7500, billed as

Funky or frightening? What do you make of the Fiat 7002? Tell us in the comments below.

James Cleary
Deputy Editor
As a small boy James often sat on a lounge with three shoes in front of him, a ruler between the cushions, and a circular drinks tray in his hands. He would then play ‘drivings’, happily heading to destinations unknown for hours on end. He’s since owned many cars, raced a few, and driven (literally) thousands of them at all points of the globe. He’s steered around and across Australia multiple times, spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas. His time in motoring journalism has included stints at national and international titles including Motor, Wheels and TopGear, and when asked to nominate a career highlight, James says interviewing industry legend Gordon Murray, in the paddock at the 1989 Australian Formula One Grand Prix was amazing, especially as Murray waived away a hovering Ayrton Senna to complete the conversation. As Deputy Editor, James manages everything from sub-editing to back-end content while creating written and video product reviews.
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