Lynx line-up for Yeovilton

A sneak peek at the Lynx line up for this weekend's Air Day at Yeovilton. Our XX910 didn't make the photo as it wasn't quite ready in time, but I've since seen the finished product, a photo anyway, and can't wait to see it in the flesh on Saturday!!

Stars of Time - 31st July

I've heard that both Ken Wallis and Little Nellie are due to attend the Stars of Time event here on 31st July!

SW Fed Annual General Meeting - Bristol

SW Fed is pleased to announce that their AGM will be held in Bristol on Friday 24th June. The morning session will be held at Blaise Castle, a mansion house on the outskirts of the  city, followed by an opportunity to spend the afternoon at MShed, Bristol's new museum which opens just the week before.

For more details and to find out how to book, take a look at the SW Fed website...

http://www.swfed.org.uk/

FSC Weston 2011

Well, it really has been all systems go here in sunny Weston today. The hangar has been buzzing with the sound of a number of flight simulators, including a display by the Virtual Red Arrows whose virtual pilots from across Europe met online to create flying formations on one big screen in our hangar.

We have also had visits from Polo Aviation, flying their JetRanger G-BEWY, and a police helicopter, the Eurocopter EC135 and air ambulances from the region. More visits and pleasure flights expected tomorrow!

Now, it is time to start preparing for an evening of disco-70's style. Flares at the ready.....

R66 visit

Some images from last Sunday's visit...

Human Powered Multicopter

 A group of students in the States are after the Sikorsky prize...


http://bit.ly/jKQE4K

Robinson R66 to visit

A new helicopter being introduced to the UK will visit The Helicopter Museum on Sunday morning. The Robinson R66 is a new low cost 5 seat turbine helicopter aimed at private owners and commercial operators. The Robinson Company ,of Torrance, California is already well known for its piston helicopter range but this is its first turbine helicopter, aimed at the JetRanger replacement market. The visit will be the first by the helicopter in the West Country and it is expected to be at the museum on show and for demo flights for approximately two hours from 10.30 onwards.

Black Hawk destroyed in Bin Laden operation

Reuters report on Black Hawk's response to higher than expected temperatures. 


http://reut.rs/letLdj

http://reut.rs/letLdj

Skeeter airframes

The Skeeter pods are now all back in storage and are not accessible to the general public. Please do not ask for a 'special' viewing as we cannot accommodate.

Consideration is being given to holding a one-off viewing weekend later in the year so please keep an eye on the website and this blog for details.

A rare chance to see Skeeter airframes - if you're quick!

We are taking advantage of the nice weather this week and have spent most of today tidying up our site with the help of a hiab.

AgustaWestland kindly donated us a number of containers to use to store some of our spares and today thay have been moved to their final resting place. This has involved the containers being emptied - one of which was home to 4 Skeeter airframes that we acquired earlier this year.

If you are quick, you might catch a glimpse of the airframes before they go back into storage. They are currently in our holding bay in the restoration hangar...but not for long!

Pests

 If you've ever wondered why museums need to be so vigilant about pests, have a look at this news report.....


http://bbc.in/hlwB62

Wow! Amazing airshow statistic

Airshows attract seven million people annually - second only to football.

That is the statistic cited in the latest issue of Transport Digest, whilst discussing the Avro Vulcan and its ability to increase attendance at an airshow by 20-40% !

The Spring 2011 issue of Transport Digest also includes an article marking the passing of the Bristol Car Company which inevitably details the development of the helicopter division here in sunny Weston-super-Mare.

Somerset Heritage Attractions

Why not see what Somerset has to offer by looking at these videos on YouTube. From industrial attractions to cricket and even a toy and radio museum, Somerset truly has an eclectic mix of entertainment to offer...

http://bit.ly/gwp9Z8

Missing Army helicopter

http://bit.ly/geQugh

See this link for information about a helicopter that has gone missing near China.

Museums at Night 2011

The evening of Saturday 14th May will be an exciting one at The Helicopter Museum as we host a retro disco in celebration of Museum at Night 2011. 

The 1960's/70's disco forms only part of our Vietnam Themed Weekend. During Saturday and Sunday from 10am our hangars will be taken over by 40 flight simulators, and there will also be a 'Living History' Vietnam camp and the chance to climb aboard a Huey helicopter which saw active service in Vietnam. Visit the FSC website for more details at www.fscweston.co.uk

Developing an Archive Exhibition

Our Summer exhibition 'Developing an Archive' is now open and will run until late September. If you have ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at the museum now is your chance to find out....

Spotter's Weekend

Every so often we open our doors for extra special events and this weekend is a Spotter's Weekend.

Visitors have the opportunity to be part of special tours around the museum including the areas holding our reserve collections which are usually out of bounds to the public. This is a unique opportunity for Spotters to get up-close to some of the airframes and spend time with like-minded individuals.

The next opportunity will be September...

Fairey Ultralight restoration - update

We are delighted to have received a kind donation from J&L Industrial Paint Services Limited to help us with restoration of the Fairey Ultralight.

John, who has been supplying paint and associated products to the aviation industry for more years than he cares to remember, is managing director of the company and personally visited the museum to take samples of the original paintwork from the Ultralight. John is now working to create a colour match so we can restore parts of the aircraft to match existing, undamaged areas.

A huge 'thank you' is due to John and his company for supporting this unique project.

I will post some photo's as the project progresses.

Lynx restoration - update

I've been in touch with Dave Lloyd at RNAS Yeovilton who has sent the following photos of XX910 - quite a difference!

The engine bays remain empty at present although it seems that 2 engines have been agreed for use subject to addressing some formalities. Other items are shelved awaiting fitting, including a set of survival packs.

In the cockpit, flying controls have been put together and a set of dual controls await fitment. The main original airframe paint has been much improved by a day's t-cutting and waxing too.

US Navy supports Japan

http://bit.ly/gPvH0o

Take a look at this YouTube video, it shows the US Navy supporting the recovery effort in Japan