At the Monaco Yacht Show in September, Eurocopter exhibited aboard the 282-foot super-yacht Quattronelle a “collectable art” helicopter in the form of a highly customized executive variant of its twin-engine EC135.

The project began with the idea of creating something unique in the vertical-lift marketplace, according to Eurocopter (Booth No. 11606B). The result is a design combination that creates a link between the helicopter and yacht. And thanks to its exterior blue-white pattern with integrated lighting, the helicopter’s appearance changes depending on the observer’s perspective.

“A helicopter doesn’t have to be just a technical accessory; it also can be a work of art,” explained German artist Rita Weber, who created the striking blue-on-white zigzag exterior. “My zigzag design respects the external lines of the EC135, but creates a unique helicopter.”

To provide an optical tie between the helicopter and its ocean-going home, yacht builder Lürssen adapted and applied the zigzag design to the Quattronelle’s helipad.

The five-passenger EC135’s “wow” design effect also extends to the cabin, which combines posh materials from well-known international designers: silk carpet by Tai Ping; leather in the color fuchsia from Foglizzo; and cashmere-covered interior sidewalls by Loro Piana.