You're a fast responder golfmobile!
I added the following as an edit to my previous post before I saw that you had already responded.
And no comment on the CIA question.
I found more info on NK and the Hughes. From
this page.
"In 1985, the DPRK circumvented U.S. export controls to buy 87 U.S.-manufactured Hughes helicopters. These helicopters are considerably more advanced than those received from the Russians. Although the DPRK has the civilian version, they probably have modified some of them to carry guns and rockets. Because the ROK produces the same model helicopter for its armed forces, the DPRK could modify their Hughes helicopters to resemble the ROK counterparts to confuse CFC air defenses during SOF operations."
and
"In 1985, North Korea circumvented United States export controls to indirectly buy eighty-seven United States manufactured civilian versions of the Hughes MD-500 helicopters before the United States government stopped further deliveries. Reports indicate that at least sixty of the helicopters delivered were modified as gunships. Because South Korea licenses and produces the MD-500 for use in its armed forces, the modified helicopters were useful in North Korea's covert or deceptive operations."
Those tricky commies. Very interesting. So I take it they're actually closer to TC's 500D version, and NK just pimped their rides so to speak.
Hope I didn't derail the thread too much.
