The Maverick is a two-bladed helicopter appearing in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
As well appearing as a fully controllable helicopter, static or otherwise non-controllable helicopters assuming the design of the Maverick have also appeared throughout the Grand Theft Auto series. The Maverick goes on to appear in the HD Universe with a similar design based on that of the Bell 206 family of helicopters.
Influence[]
In all its appearances, the Maverick assumes the design of a four-door, four-seater helicopter inspired by that of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger.
Design[]
“Executive helicopter for high rollers, big spenders, and tourists.”
— GTA Vice City website.
The Maverick in the 3D Universe is depicted with a large fuselage, rounded nose and large windows, as well as long skids, tall engine compartment with a two-bladed main rotor, and a long tail boom with the corresponding stabilizers and four-bladed tail rotor. The interior of the aircraft has a bench seat for the rear passengers and two control sticks for the front occupants (although only the left occupant takes control of the vehicle).
The part of the Maverick's tail connecting to the fuselage appears slightly thicker in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, a trait that isn't carried over to its police variant in these games.
All renditions of the Maverick followed an identical color distribution, consisting of a primary color for most of the fuselage and tail boom, and a secondary color in the form of dual stripes at the bottom. In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the skids are painted with the secondary color.
Performance[]
In the 3D Universe, the Maverick is a short, nimble, basic helicopter. It has a high top speed, forward thrust is acceptable, and its maneuverability is on par with most competitors. Durability is rather slack due to its thin bodywork and overall 'light' design, making it unsuitable for long-time air pursuits or for purposeful crashing, as it can only take several crashes, and a small amount of bullets before it begins to smoke and break down.
The aircraft is powered by a single turboshaft engine.
Variants[]
| Image | Vehicle | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 The VCPD Maverick in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. |
Police Maverick | Law enforcement variant of the Maverick appearing throughout the Grand Theft Auto series. Later named VCPD Maverick in GTA Vice City Stories. Assumes the design of a regular Maverick with location-specific police liveries and additional equipment. | |
 |
News Chopper | Also known as the VCN Maverick in GTA Vice City. A short-fuselage variant of the Maverick appearing in GTA Vice City and GTA San Andreas, utilized by Vice City News and San News respectively. | |
| Special variants | |||
 The Helicopter in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. |
Helicopter (police) | Uncontrollable variant of the Police Maverick which pursues the player at three star Wanted Levels in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. | |
 The all-black Maverick in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. (Rear quarter view)  The all-black Maverick in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. |
All-black Maverick |
|
|
 The black and white Maverick in GTA Liberty City Stories. |
Black/white Maverick | In GTA Liberty City Stories, black Mavericks with two white stripes appears in Calm Before the Storm and The Sicilian Gambit. | |
Gallery[]
Design[]
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Images[]
A Maverick in action in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.
The Maverick in the mobile version of GTA Liberty City Stories. Note the vehicle exit button.
Videos[]
GTA Liberty City Stories - Tips & Tricks - How to get and fly a helicopter
Locations[]
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
- On the roof of the Hyman Condo safehouse.
- On the roof of the Vercetti Estate after the mission Rub Out. If the Sea Sparrow is unlocked, there is a smaller chance of the Maverick spawning.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- Easter Bay Airport, eastern part, near the Dodo hangars. Oddly, the doors are not locked even without a pilot's license, allowing it to be used if the player can get into the airport.
- The top of the Los Santos Tower in Downtown Los Santos after completing Learning to Fly. The tower has a star-shaped top. The Maverick may not be there, it spawns more if Carl flies another aerial vehicle to the location.
- San Fierro Police Headquarters Helipad in Downtown San Fierro after the completion of Learning to Fly.
- Note: This should only be taken as a last resort, since going behind the gate without a law enforcement vehicle triggers a 3 star wanted level. To avoid it, park a police bike right next to it and then take off as fast as possible, or kill the officer.
- Bayside Marina helipad (note that a Sea Sparrow can also spawn here after the completion of Learning to Fly, while the Maverick always spawns from the beginning of the game).
- On the roof of San Fierro Medical Center, Santa Flora, San Fierro after completing Learning to Fly (note that a Raindance also spawns east of here, also requiring the aforementioned mission to make it appear).
- Located on a helipad at The Emerald Isle after the completion of Learning to Fly (if it does not spawn, walk to the very east of the building and walk back and it should be there).
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories[]
- The Maverick in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is not intended to be obtained by the player. However, it can still be obtained by the player during the missions Calm Before the Storm given by Joseph Daniel O'Toole[1] and False Idols given by Ned Burner[2]. It is unusually fast and can reach high speeds in a matter of three seconds, which is not possible in other games (since it is somewhat scripted to be faster). Moving the camera moves the helicopter (because the right analog stick was used to alternatively control a helicopter in GTA Vice City.) The blades are reused from an AI-controlled Police Maverick, and the blades render transparency incorrectly (e.g. with trees).
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]
- On the helipad near Hyman Memorial Stadium. It appears here only after passing the mission From Zero to Hero.
- Near the helipad in Escobar International Airport (activates Vice Sights mission upon entry). It also appears here only after passing From Zero to Hero.
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay[]
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
- In The Beginning... – The Vance brothers arrive at the deal in an all-black Maverick.
- Phnom Penh '86 – Used to assault a mansion on Prawn Island.
- All Hands On Deck! – Two Mavericks are used to assault Colonel Cortez's yacht.
- Check Out at the Check In – One Maverick spawns on the helipad on Escobar International Airport.
- Loose Ends – One special colored one spawns on the roof of the ice cream factory.
- Hit the Courier – The courier will arrive in a Maverick to deliver the counterfeit plates.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- The Da Nang Thang – Little Lion and Carl use a Maverick to assault a Cargoship, it can be collected by pushing it to the land since the sinking feature is removed, it has an invincible feature.
- Pier 69 – A Maverick transporting Mike Toreno will fly towards Pier 69, but being alerted by the dead bodies on the rooftops, it is seen fleeing.
- Toreno's Last Flight – CJ needs to shoot down a Maverick imposingly transporting Toreno.
- Interdiction – MIB Mavericks are used to assault Toreno's helicopter.
- Misappropriation – The target will use a Maverick to flee from Carl.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories[]
- Calm Before the Storm – A Maverick is used as Massimo Torini's mode of transport, sporting a uniquely jet black color with two white stripes. The helicopter can be obtained in the PSP version and some unpatched PS2 versions, as the helicopter makes a stopover at Chinatown.
- The Passion of the Heist – A fire-proof Maverick is flown by a gang that stole diamonds. The helicopter can be obtained only on the PSP version of the game, as wrecks cannot be restored in garages in other versions of the game.
- Sayonara Sindaccos – There is a dark Sindacco Maverick nearly at the end of the mission, which is shot down by Toni.
- Caught in the Act – An all-proof, black Maverick flown by the Secret Service.
- False Idols – A Maverick is used to transport actress Faith W. to the Liberty City Free Radio station. The helicopter is obtainable on some versions of the game, since newer versions have been patched, preventing the player from obtaining the Maverick.
- Cash in Kazuki's Chips – A Maverick belonging to Kazuki Kasen appears. It is obtainable.
- The Sicilian Gambit – A Maverick is mobilized during the boat chase; it needs to be destroyed to continue the mission. Massimo's Maverick is later used to launch an assault on the player at the Portland Rock lighthouse, and it has to be shot down. The helicopter is vulnerable to damage and cannot be obtained.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]
- Accidents Will Happen – Reni Wassulmaier flies off in a Maverick to monitor the stunting.
- The Colonel's Coke – Used by Diaz' goons in an attempt to ambush Gonzalez and steal the drugs from his boat.
- Kill Phil – Used by Phil Collins and later destroyed.
- Unfriendly Competition – Used by the last dealer's hookers to kill Victor at the beach.
- High Wire – Victor Vance uses a Maverick to pick two containers and rescue a Mendez Cartel member from the bikers.
- Taking the Fall – Lance and Victor use a Maverick to take down bikers from the air.
- White Lies – Lance Vance flies a Maverick to drop all of his coke after an argument with Victor.
- Burning Bridges – Used by the Mendez Cartel to attack Victor while he is trying to rescue Lance.
- Last Stand – Jerry Martinez arrives at The Mendez Building in a Maverick, which is flown as a target vehicle while inside the building. Lance flies another Maverick at the end of the mission.
- Smuggling – The helicopter may be used as the drop-off helicopter; sometimes, a Sea Sparrow or an Armadillo is used instead.
- Vice Sights – The Maverick is used throughout the mission.
- Civil Asset Forfeiture Impound – The Maverick is one of the 32 wanted vehicles. It is placed on the third list.
Notable Owners[]
- Faith W. – As seen during the mission False Idols.
- DGSE – Two are used in the mission All Hands On Deck!.
- Men in Black – Used multiple all-black Mavericks to attack the helicopter with the package in the mission Interdiction.
- Kazuki Kasen – Owns a bullet and explosion proof Maverick, seen in Cash in Kazuki's Chips.
- Lance Vance – As seen in GTA Vice City and GTA Vice City Stories.
- Little Lion – Seen in the mission The Da Nang Thang.
- Massimo Torini – Massimo owns a Maverick that is jet black with two white stripes as seen during the missions Calm Before the Storm and The Sicilian Gambit (note that the Maverick in Calm Before the Storm is completely indestructible, while the one in The Sicilian Gambit is normal).
- Mike Toreno – As seen during the mission Pier 69 and Toreno's Last Flight.
- Reni Wassulmaier – Owns a gray Maverick with two pink stripes as seen during the mission Accidents Will Happen.
- Sindacco Crime Family – Used a Maverick to attack the player during the mission Sayonara Sindaccos but is destroyed.
- Ricardo Diaz (unconfirmed)
- Phil Collins – Destroyed in Kill Phil.
- Tommy Vercetti – Owns two Mavericks, one at Hyman Condo and the other at Vercetti Estate.
- The Counterfeit Syndicate
Oversights[]
- In all of its appearances in the 3D Universe, the rear passengers of the Maverick (as well as its police variant) will sit in the exact same location - in the middle of the rear bench seat. This results in both passengers seating "inside one another" if the player manages to get both passengers to seat in the rear. This glitch is actually present, because the rear passengers have not been given defined seating coordinates inside the model of the helicopter - as a result they simply seat in its geometric center (centroid), as this is the default position for any vehicle's occupants. A similar glitch happens with Romero's Hearse in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
- If the player scrapes the landing gear of the Maverick on any surface, they will see tire marks.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- The blades of the helicopter do not show frames when they are rotating in all versions, except for the PS2 version.[vague]
- In the Definitive Edition, the Maverick is essentially a Police Maverick without the police decals.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories[]
- Just like in GTA Vice City, scraping the landing gear of the Maverick on any surface leads to the appearance of tire marks.
Trivia[]
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories[]
- In the mobile version, if Toni somehow goes near to a Maverick, the "entering a Maverick" button will appear, even though the Maverick was an unfinished vehicle during the development of the game.
Specifications[]
Model[]
| Model name | Texture name | Handling name | Text label name | In-game name | Swankness | Flags | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTA Vice City | maverick
|
maverick
|
MAVERICK
|
MAVERIC
|
Maverick | N/A | |
| GTA San Andreas | maverick
|
maverick
|
MAVERICK
|
MAVERIC
|
Maverick | N/A | |
| GTA Liberty City Stories | maverick
|
maverick
|
MAVERICK
|
MAVERIC
|
Maverick | N/A | |
| GTA Vice City Stories | maverick
|
maverick
|
MAVERICK
|
MAVERIC
|
Maverick | N/A |
Population[]
| Groups | Scenario sets | Frequency (%) | Driver model | License plates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTA Vice City | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A |
| GTA San Andreas | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A |
| GTA Liberty City Stories | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A |
| GTA Vice City Stories | None | N/A | None | N/A | N/A |
Handling[]
| Max velocity (kmh / mph) | Gears | Engine type | Drivetrain | Mass (kg / lbs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTA Vice City | 200 / 124 | 1 | Petrol | RWD | 5000 / 11000 |
| GTA San Andreas | 200 / 124 | 1 | Petrol | RWD | 5000 / 11000 |
| GTA Liberty City Stories | 200 / 124 | 1 | Petrol | RWD | 5000 / 11000 |
| GTA Vice City Stories | 200 / 124 | 1 | Petrol | RWD | 5000 / 11000 |
Audio[]
| Horns | Engine | Police scanner | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Model | Category | Color | |||
| GTA Vice City | |
|
N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| GTA San Andreas | |
|
N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| GTA Liberty City Stories | |
|
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| GTA Vice City Stories | |
|
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Traffic Default Colors[]
| GTA Vice City | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 White | 14 Red 5 | |
| 1 White | 42 Green 3 | |
| 1 White | 57 Blue 8 | |
| 54 Blue 5 | 1 White | |
| 1 White | 3 Cherry Red | |
| 3 Cherry Red | 1 White | |
| 12 Red 3 | 39 Yellow 10 | |
| 74 Grey 5 | 35 Yellow 6 |
| GTA San Andreas | Primary | Secondary | Tertiary | Quaternary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Silver Stone Poly | 14 Frost White | 0 Black | 0 Black | |
| 29 Porcelain Silver Poly | 42 Garnet Red Poly | 0 Black | 0 Black | |
| 26 Silver Stone Poly | 57 Bisque Frost Poly | 0 Black | 0 Black | |
| 54 Nautical Blue Poly | 29 Porcelain Silver Poly | 0 Black | 0 Black | |
| 26 Silver Stone Poly | 3 Cherry Red | 0 Black | 0 Black | |
| 3 Cherry Red | 29 Porcelain Silver Poly | 0 Black | 0 Black | |
| 12 Jasper Green Poly | 39 Diamond Blue Poly | 0 Black | 0 Black | |
| 74 Med.Cabernet Solid | 35 Anthracite Gray Poly | 0 Black | 0 Black |
| GTA Liberty City Stories | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42 | |
| 9 | 1 | |
| 11 | 1 | |
| 14 | 7 | |
| 15 | 5 | |
| 18 | 1 | |
| 20 | 1 | |
| 24 | 24 |
| GTA Vice City Stories | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | |
| 0 | 1 | |
| 3 | 0 | |
| 50 | 54 | |
| 87 | 66 | |
| 41 | 0 | |
| 21 | 24 |
Beta Content[]
This article or section contains information on Grand Theft Auto beta content. It may feature speculation and/or unintentional misinformation.
Please add references when adding content to this page. Any speculative/misinformed content that is not verified should be discussed on the talk page.
Coastguard Maverick[]
A coastguard variant of the Maverick was cut from GTA Vice City first, and later from GTA San Andreas and GTA Vice City Stories too. The handling data of the vehicle remains in the respective game files, but the vehicle itself does not appear in any of the games.
Speaker Maverick[]
A public speaking variant of the Maverick was cut from GTA Liberty City Stories, featuring original model from GTA Vice City, only with added speakers mounted on the bottom of the fuselage. It only appears in a render. It was most likely tied to the mayoral election mission string, with a similar utility as the Campaign Rumpo.
A render of the cut speaker variant of the Maverick in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. (Rear quarter view)
End of information pertaining to Grand Theft Auto beta content.
See Also[]
- Police Maverick – Police variant appearing throughout the Grand Theft Auto series.
- News Chopper – News variant appearing in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
- Coastguard Maverick – Cut variant of the Maverick.