Classic action-adventure series about a supersonic military helicopter. The series creator, Donald P. Bellisario, was also responsible for Magnum P.I. and Tales of the Golden Monkey, and was a director and writer on numerous other Universal TV shows such as Battlestar Galactica, Kojak and later Quantum Leap.

Ernest Borgnine, who played Dominic Santini (head of Santini Air, who perform stunts for Hollywood productions) was mayor of Universal City.

The first run of the series (1984-1986) consisted of 58 episodes. An additional run of 24 episodes was made on a lower budget in Canada in 1987 with a new cast on a new network.

As well as numerous locations around the California area, the production used a mockup of the interior of a Bell 222 helicopter for interior close-ups and for shots of the helicopter in the "lair". This mockup was built on Stage 14. The production also used Stage 24.

Episodes featuring the backlot
(click on the episode title for stills and more)
"Airwolf" - Pilot Episode (1984) New York Street
"The Truth About Holly" - Season 2, Episode 4 (1984) Spartacus Square
"Fallen Angel" - Season 2, Episode 7 (1984) The Tower of London set
"Inn At The End Of The Road" - Season 2, Episode 14 (1985) MCA Tower (NEW)
"Santini's Millions" - Season 2, Episode 15 (1985) Falls Lake, Psycho House (NEW)
"Prisoner of Yesterday" - Season 2, Episode 16 (1985) Little Europe (NEW)
"Natural Born" - Season 2, Episode 17 (1985) Colonial Street
"Eruption" - Season 2, Episode 21 (1985) Six Points Texas (NEW)
"Fortune Teller" - Season 3, Episode 4 (1985) The Tower of London set
"Annie Oakley" - Season 3, Episode 8 (1985) Six Points Texas, Denver Street

Links:

• Airwolf Magazine
  "The Wolf's Lair" site
• Airwolf TV Series Site
• IMDB entry

Many thanks to universalstonecutter and
Clark Van Hoten for episode research.