The Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset |
Aviation writer Elfan Ap Rees had been collecting helicopter paraphernalia for 20 years before he gathered a group volunteers and started the British Rotorcraft Museum in 1974. in 1988 the museum moved to its current site as The International Helicopter Museum and expanded dramatically, changing its name again, to the current one, in 2000. It has recently restored the adjacent 1936 control tower and pilots' block, previously used by the Achilles Flying club, the latter building now housing the Weston Aviation Exhibition, recording the history of Weston-super-Mare Airport and its major occupants, the RAF, Western Airways and the Bristol Aeoplane Company (later Westland). The museum has a modern, light and bright entrance and cafe, and the hangars are well laid out thematically, though, as is usual for aviation museums, pretty tightly packed. My visit was on 9 September. |
Aircraft | Reg'n | Thumbs | Notes |
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Advanced Technologies Inc CH1 ATI | N8186E |
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Rotors driven by high-presssure steam generated by hydrogen peroxide with a silver catalyst. Ex G-BXZN. Abandoned partly because hydrogen peroxide is very difficult to handle. |
Aerospatiale AS332L Super Puma | G-TIGE |
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In the restoration hangar. With Bristow Helicopters from 1982 to 2014. |
Aerospatiale SA365N Dauphin 2 | F-WQAP |
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First production AS365N, retained for development and testing, notably of fly-by-wire controls. Ex F-WZJJ. |
Agusta A109GdiF | MM81205 GdiF-128 |
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Version with special avionics for the Italian Guardia di Finanza. |
Agusta-Bell 47G-3B1 Sioux | XT190 |
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British Army, but spent its career with the UN in Cyprus (1966 to 1978). |
Agusta-Bell 206C-1 Jet Ranger | CC-49 |
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In the restoration hangar. Served the Italian Carabinieri from 1974 to 2008. |
Air & Space 18A | G-BVWL |
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Ex SE-HIE. Moderately successful two-seat autogyro derived from the Umbaugh U-18. |
BAC Sea Wolf |
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Weston Aviation Exhibition. Anti-missile missile whose Blackcap rocket motor was built 3 miles away at Bristol Aerojet's Banwell plant. | |
Barnett J4B | G-BWCW |
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Built from a US kit from Barnett Rotorcraft Co, this autogyro never flew, and now lacks an engine and propellor. |
Bell 47H-1 Bellairus | OO-SHW |
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Of 33 built, this was the only one sold in Europe, as Sabena's OO-SHW, later SE-HBE and LN-OQG. It was used by the Belgian Antactic Survey, then became G-AZYB. |
Bell Jet Ranger sculpture |
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Gate guard. Donated by Barratt Developments in 2011. | |
Bell UH-1H Iroquis | 66-16579 |
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US Army - Vietnam and Gulf war veteran. |
Bensen B-8B Gyro-Boat | BAPC.289 |
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One of around 10 rotor kite boats built in Glasgow by the General Developments Company Ltd around 1960. |
Bensen B-8M Gyro-Copter | G-BIGP |
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Kit-built in the UK around 1980. |
Bolkow Bo102 Helitrainer | D-HMQV |
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Military trainer usually attached to a scissor restraint with the instructor outside. Had a single rotor blade with a counterweight to restrict lift. |
Brantly B2B | G-ATFG |
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Brantly B2B | G-OAPR |
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Ex N2280U. In the restoration hangar, currently registered and flightworthy. |
Bristol 171 Sycamore 3 | G-ALSX |
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Company demonstrator built in 1951. In Tanganyika as VR-TBS 1957-60, then returned to Bristol Helicopters here for blade testing as G-48-1. Withdrawn 1969. |
Bristol 171 Sycamore 14 | XL829 |
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The RAF's last Sycamore, built here in 1957. |
Bristol 192 Belvedere HC1 | G-BRMB |
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5th prototype, designed and built at Weston, used by the RAF as XG452 for testing and development. In long-term restoration. |
Bristol 192 Belvedere HC1 nose | XG462 |
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Preserved after a crash in Libya in 1963. |
Bristol Bloodhound Mk2 |
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The RAF's surface-to-air missile 1964-91. Previously gate guard at RAF Museum, Hendon. | |
Campbell Cougar | G-BAPS |
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The last aircraft to be built by Western Airways at Weston (1973), this two-seat autogyro flew successfully with a temporary single seat. Then funds ran out. |
Campbell Cricket | G-AXRA |
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In the cafe. Developed from the Bensen B8M by Campbell Aircraft, the UK licencee, 33 were produced 1969-71 - this was the 3rd. |
Campbell Cricket | G-BYMP |
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In 1991 Campbell Aircraft was succeeded by Cricket Gyroplanes, who sold kits. This is one of them, completed in 1999. |
Cierva C-30A | G-ACWM |
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Built by Avro in 1935, this was impressed into the RAF as AP506. Returned after the war, it was damaged by fire around 1959. There are plans to restore it. |
Cierva Rotorcraft Grasshopper III | G-AWRP |
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First flown in 1969, this twin-engined co-axial rotor project was cancelled in the early 70s on the death of James Weir, Cierva's financial backer. |
Control tower and pilots' block |
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The control tower's cab was originally a cab shelter on Weston seafront, installed when the tower was built in 1936. Both buildings have been recently restored. | |
EH Industries EH101 | G-EHIL ZH657 |
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3rd prototype, a civil version testbed, first flown in 1988 and retired in 1999. |
Elfan Ap Rees |
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Founder and leading light of the museum, also founder and editor of Helicopter International magazine. | |
Fairey Rotodyne fragments | XE521 |
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Including a fuselage section, the rotorhead, and a complete blade with its tip-jet. The compound helicopter airliner last flew in 1962, just before the government cancelled the project. |
Fairey Ultra Light Helicopter | G-AOUJ |
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Ex UK Army XJ928 but the army's support was withdrawn and the project continued as a private venture. This, the 2nd prototype, first flew in 1958. It was fully restored in July this year using some parts from other examples or specially made. The only other surviving example is at the Midland Air Museum. |
Gyrodyne QH-50D DASH | DS-1482 |
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Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter. American co-axial rotor remotely piloted surveillance and torpedo helicopter. |
Hafner R2 Revoplane | BAPC.010 |
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The world's oldest surviving helicopter (1928) It was developed with the help of Juan de la Cierva in the UK. After some hovering flights it was abandoned, but rediscovered in 1961. The two large rear tiltable vanes are for yaw control/anti-torque. |
Hiller UH-12C | G-ASTP |
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Bristow Helicopters - used as a trainer. Ex N9750C. |
Hughes OH-6A Cayuse | 67-16506 MD-NG |
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US Army, Vietnam veteran. |
Julian CD Wombat | G-WBAT |
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First flown in 1991. |
Kamov Ka-26 Hoodlum | DDR-SPY |
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Interflug, later D-HOAY. Note the removable passenger module. |
Liteco-Intora Atlas Firebird | F-WGTX |
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Using the same technology as the Advanced Technologies Inc CH1 (see above) this is a composite of the fuselage of another unfinished example, F-WGTZ, and F-WGTX. |
MBB Bo105M (VBH) | D-HZYR |
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VBH = light observation helicopter. This is the last Bo105M built. Ex German Army 81+00. |
McCulloch J-2 | G-ORVB |
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Two-seat autogyro designed in the US by Drago Jovanovich, 83 were built. This was used by the Bahrain Public Security Force as BSP-3, ex N4329G, later G-HEKY. |
MIL Mi-1 (SM-1) Hare | '07 yellow' |
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Ex Polish AF 2007, in false Soviet markings. |
MIL Mi-2 Hoplite | SP-SAY |
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Used in Poland by Zeus, a subsidiary of PZL-Swidnik who built it. |
MIL Mi-4 Hound | 9147 |
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Czech AF. The first Russian helicopter in a British museum, 1992. |
MIL Mi-8PS Hip | '07 red' |
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Polish AF 618 - VIP transport. In false Russian livery for the 2019 film 'Black Widow'. |
MIL Mi-24D Hind Luftwaffe 96+26 01 | 96+26 |
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Luftwaffe. Ex East German Army 618. |
Murray M1 | BAPC.060 |
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Failed attempt at a co-axial helicopter by John Murray of Salford, UK in 1954. Missing ite engine and other bits. |
Piasecki H-21C Shawnee | FR41 |
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French Army. In the restoration hangar. |
Piasecki HUP-3 Retriever | 51-16622 622 |
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Canadian Navy. One of three they used in the Arctic. Later used by Piasecki as a chase plane as N6699D. |
PZL-Swidnik SM-2 | 5 |
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Polish variant of the Mil Mi-1 (SM-1 in Poland). The redesigned cabin has sliding side doors and a front stretcher hatch. Around 85 built. |
Robinson R22-HP | G-OTED |
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Ex ZS-HLG, G-BMYR. |
Saunders-Roe (Saro) Skeeter AOP12 | XL811 |
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British Army, built 1959, written off in a 1967 accident. |
Slingsby T8 Kirby Tutor (TX-2 Cadet) fuselage | BGA1759 RAFGSA 178 |
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Under the roof of the Weston Aviation Exhibition. 2nd and 4th photos are rotated 180°. |
Sud Aviation S01221S Djinn | FR108 CDL |
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Djinn = pixie. French Army. Basic two-seat helicopter with rotors driven by compressed air through tip jets. Performance was good and 178 were built. |
Sud Aviation SA318C Alouette 2 | A-41 |
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Belgian Army. World's first production turbine helicopter. |
Sud Aviation SA321F Super Frelon | F-OCMF 335 |
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Hermes. The sole example of this 37-passenger F variant. Leased to Olympic Airways in the summer seasons of 1968 and 69. Ex F-BMHC, French Navy 116, and F-BTRP. |
Watkinson CG4 Cyclogyroplane | BAPC.128 |
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Herbert Watkinson's human-powered flight project. After two quite successful cycle gyro pedal-powered autogyros had made short flights, this version was nearly complete when he died in 1977. |
Westland Gazelle AH1 ((Aerospatiale SA341B) cabin | ZB686 |
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Built here in 1983. |
Westland Scout AH1 | XP165 |
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First of 8 pre-production Scouts, closely based on the Saunders-Roe P531-2, and first flown 4 August 1960. With the Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) 1963-71. |
Westland Wasp HAS1 | XT443 422 |
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1975 Cod war veteran, during which it crashed twice. Retired in 1987. |
Westland Wessex 60 | G-AVNE |
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Starting as G-17-3, it was delivered to Bristow Helicopters in 1967, served in the far east as PK-HBQ, 9M-ASS and VH-BHC, and Nigeria as 5N-AJL, and retired in 1981. |
Westland Wessex HAS1 | XM330 |
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Pre-production version used for trials in Libya and Malta, as well as with the RAE at Farnborough. |
Westland Wessex HAS3 | XM328 PO-653 53 |
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Delivered to the FAA in 1960. Falklands veteran, retired in 1984. |
Westland Wessex HCC4 | XV733 |
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Second of two HCC4s built for the Queen's Flight. Piloted by the Diuke of Edinburgh and other royals, and the first chopper to carry the Queen. Served 1969-98. |
Westland Lynx (WG-13) | XW839 |
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5th prototype and oldest complete surviving Lynx. Flown from 1974 to the mid-nineties. |
Westland Lynx 3 | ZE477 |
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Sole example built of this stretched anti-tank variant, ex G-17-24. Flew 1984-7. |
Westland Lynx AH1 | G-LYNX ZA500 ZB500 |
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Westland's demonstrator, featuring BERP (British Experimental Rotor Programme) blades, broke the helicopter world speed record at 249mph (401km/h), which still stands. |
Westland Lynx HAS2 | XX910 |
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Second prototype of the Navy Lynx, and first Lynx to fly a loop (1976). Grounded in 1981, but used for testing until 2000. |
Westland WG-25 (WR-06) Wisp | BAPC.446 |
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Co-axial rotor remotely piloted helicopter carrying a TV camera. First of three built, flown 1976. |
Westland WG-25 (WR-07) Wideye | BAPC.445 |
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Larger version of the Wisp, with a stabilised TV and retractable gear - 1979. |
Westland WG-25 Sharpeye | 'ZS782' BAPC.451 |
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Wideye components were used in this windtunnel test model of a sleeker version. 1980. |
Westland WG-30-100 fuselage | N5840T |
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Airspur Helicopters operated 4 WG-30s on schedules between Orange County John Wayne Airport and LAX 1983-4. Ex G-BKFF. |
Westland WG-30-100 | G-BKGD |
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2nd prototype, delivered to British Airways Helicopters in 1982 for North Sea operations as G-BKBJ, then British International Helicopters for the Penzance Scilly Isles route until 1993 retirement. |
Westland WG-30-100 | G-BGHF |
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First prototype of this civil/ transport version of the Lynx. First flown 10 April 1979, retired 1985. |
Westland WG-30-200 | G-ELEC |
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The only -200 built, first flown as -100 G-BKNV. Converted with General Electric CT7s replacing the RR Gems and re-registered with power line maintenance in mind, it was retired in 1998. |
Westland WG-30-300 (TT300) | G-HAUL |
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The only -300 built, aimed at replacing the Wessex and Puma, but the EH101 was chosen instead. Ex G-17-22. Flew 1986-7. |
Westland WG-33 | BAPC.153 |
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1978 mock-up of a proposed two-seat observation helicopter. With co-axial rotors and fly-by-wire controls, it was designed for novice pilots. |
Westland WS-51 Dragonfly HR5 | WG719 |
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Royal Navy. Built in 1952 and retired in 1967. Ex G-BRMA. |
Westland WS-51A Widgeon 2 | G-AOZE |
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Bristow Helicopters. In Nigeria as 5N-ABW from 1962-70. |
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind 3 | G-AODA |
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Dorado. First flown in 1965, owned by Shell but operated by Bristow Helicopters including in Iran as EP-HAC, Trinidad as 9Y-TDA, and Malaysia. Later used for anti-tank missile testing, and retired in 1990. |
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind HAR10 | XD163 X |
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The RAF's first Whirlwind, delivered in 1954. Operated in Malaya, Cyprus and Aden, later in the UK until retirement in 1979. |
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind HAS7 | XK940 911 |
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Served the navy from 1957 to 1971 when it went to Autair International as G-AYXT. James Wilkie restored it to airworthiness in the 1990s. |
Westland WS-55 Whirlwind HCC12 | XR486 |
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In the restoration hangar. In the Queen's Flight from 1964 to 1969 and often flown by Princes Philip and Charles. Not used by the Queen as it is single-engined. Sold to Whirlwind Helicopters Ltd in 1993 as G-RWWW. |