Rotodyne Models Enter The Museum

The Museum has put three models of the unique Fairey Rotodyne compound helicopter on display complementing the only surviving sections of the actual aircraft that are also part of the collection.

The new models have been transfered to THM from the Imperial War Museum store at Duxford, Cambridge and are on display for the first time in 50 years. One represents an early 1952 proposal for the vertical takeoff airliner and a second represents the final proposed Rotordyne Z of 1960, just before the project was cancelled. The third model represents the prototype as built and flown between 1957 and 1961.

2012 marks the 50^th anniversary of the projects cancellation, often described as “an idea before its time” and still the subject of much interest by an aerospace industry still looking for a means of inter city travel that doesn't require airport runways.

Above you can see the1952 model depicting the original Fairey Rotodyne proposal.

Final flight for the oldest passenger helicopter service

The Helicopter Museum always has its finger on the pulse of the helicopter world; please find a link to a news video regarding the oldest helicopter passenger service between the isle of Scilly and the Mainland being discontinued.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20146673

Newsletter Vol.3

The third volume of The Helicopter Museum newsletter is now available to view, check it out by following the link below. All comments are welcome, if there is anything you would like to see in the next issue then please contact us.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/111992364/Newsletter-Vol-3

Conservation and Restoration of our Whirlwind Mk.10

Today two of our restoration and conservation volunteers have completed a project on the museums Whirlwind Mk.10, registration XD163.

Dick Cavil and Philip Msara have refurbished the main seat in the aircraft cabin. The process has been a long one consisting of the seat frame being repaired and then painted, and the canvas sheets being rescued from a wrecked aircraft and restored back to prime condition.

Well done chaps, great job!

New Models

The museum has just taken delivery of some very interesting models of various Westland helicopters. The Westland models are extremely large and came to us transported in huge crates. Various models of Lynx, Sea King and Merlin are present among the collection which seems to be of extremely high quality. Here are a few picks of the models taken just after delivery!

Newsletter Vol.2

The second volume of The Helicopter Museum newsletter is now available, check it out by following the link below and let us know what you think! http://www.scribd.com/doc/104617524/Newsletter-Vol-2

Museum Volunteers Raise Funds For Falklands Charity

A presentation took place this Sunday at The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare when Museum Volunteers handed over a cheque for £300.00 to a representative of The South Atlantic Medal Association to bring to an end the museums calender of commemorative events to celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict.

A Falklands themed Art Exhibition ran from February until the end of July alongside a factual exhibition about the conflict itself and earlier this Summer a Falklands re-enactment took place on the Helicopter Museum site as well as a Veterans Signing Event to raise much needed funds for the S.A.M.A Charity.

The South Atlantic Medal is the official name of the medal awarded to almost 30,000 service men and women - and civilians - who took part in the campaign to liberate the Falkland Islands in 1982, The South Atlantic Medal Association is their Registered Charity.

Simon Parks-Lockett, who made the presentation and who organised the collection and signing event said “The South Atlantic Medal Association is an extremely worthwhile cause and it is really wonderful that charities can work together and support each other in these difficult times.”

The Helicopter Museum is a Registered Charity in its own right and houses the Worlds largest collection of helicopters including examples of aircraft used in the Falklands Conflict of 1982.

  Presenting the cheque.

From left to right, Falklands Veteran Ade Thorne, Museum Volunteer Simon Parks-Lockett, S.A.M.A Representative John DeBathe, Museum Assistant Manager Sharon Webber and Falklands Veteran Mike Costello in front of the Museums Westland Wasp Helicopter.