Actually, the "BLUE THUNDER" movie came first. That inspired the network to go forward with "AIRWOLF". However, "BLUE THUNDER" the TV show made it to the air first by a few weeks. Both programmes were about people flying helicopters to keep the peace, i.e. "blowing things up real good". But "AIRWOLF" won out with a better cast and storyline as well as a plum time slot on a stronger network. James Farentino could still kick Jan-Michael Vincent's butt any day though!
Actually, the "BLUE THUNDER" movie came first. That inspired the network to go forward with "AIRWOLF". However, "BLUE THUNDER" the TV show made it to the air first by a few weeks. Both programmes were about people flying helicopters to keep the peace, i.e. "blowing things up real good". But "AIRWOLF" won out with a better cast and storyline as well as a plum time slot on a stronger network. James Farentino could still kick Jan-Michael Vincent's butt any day though!