As this seems to be a very popular and useful forum I thought readers might be interested in updates on Helicopter Museum activities ,although you can also check the website http://www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk and the Collection officer’s blog(when she isnt on leave getting married!).
To kick off ,the Mi-8 restoration is now in its final stages and the aircraft is due to be moved to the main display hangar on Saturday18th….complicated move with restricted space so we have made some special skates to allow aircraft to be moved sideways !At the same time we will be relocating some of the other helicopters in readiness for the return of the Navy Lynx prototype XX910,which is now nearing completion at RNAS Yeovilton and Mk 7 G-LYNX ,resplendent in its original World Speed Record colours and configuration.
Both these aircraft have additions…a tail boom on XX910 and the W30 tail unit on G-LYNX so are going to need more space,hence the move around.
Advance notice too of a lecture on G-LYNX and an aircraft walk around to explain the aerodynamic and other mods that allowed the aircraft to take and hold onto the official speed record for the past 25 years.This is scheduled for Saturday evening 6th August…more details to follow.
By: heli1 - 31st August 2011 at 10:37
Plans are now confirmed for the informal Cockpiteers Day on 11th September at the museum.This will run alongside the Open Cockpit Day ,with space provided for other nose sections under cover if necessary.Although the number of confirmations/interest is small,the museum hopes to build on this for future years.
Cockpiteers can arrive on the Saturday or early Sunday morning for the event….just contact 01934 824758 to confirm .
The museum opens to the public at 10.00.
By: heli1 - 31st August 2011 at 10:37
Plans are now confirmed for the informal Cockpiteers Day on 11th September at the museum.This will run alongside the Open Cockpit Day ,with space provided for other nose sections under cover if necessary.Although the number of confirmations/interest is small,the museum hopes to build on this for future years.
Cockpiteers can arrive on the Saturday or early Sunday morning for the event….just contact 01934 824758 to confirm .
The museum opens to the public at 10.00.
By: heli1 - 1st August 2011 at 10:39
Recovering from awesome ” Stars of Time” event yesterday. !500 visitors in a single day was an interesting test of the museum’s ability to handle large numbers,especially when you see a Dalek at the cafe hatch asking for a coffee!
Ken Wallis an absolute star too,spending almost all day with “Little Nellie” chatting to visitors about his film role and completely unmoved by Darth Vadar’s heavy breathing .Absolute hoot !
Next week the museum is hosting a visit by the Westland team who prepared and supported the Lynx World Record 25 years ago…..
By: Arm Waver - 4th July 2011 at 18:21
I loved helping out at Helidays – almost like an aeroplaning weekend. Long nights walking around keeping it safe though but always worth it…
By: heli1 - 4th July 2011 at 15:17
Well it looks like talk of HeliDays being dead was premature …it is still twitching ..with news of the Czech Air Force flying into the museum that weekend (23-24 July) with at least a Mil Mi-8 and possibly a Hind too.
More news when I have it.
By: ian_ - 1st July 2011 at 15:27
Thanks for the update. Will miss the Lynx at Yeovilton, unfortunately. Going to Birkenhead. Thanks als for looking out for panel bits. Will keep trying!
By: heli1 - 1st July 2011 at 09:02
Updating …our hangar looks strangely empty of Lynx at present ,following the departure of ZE477 to join XX910 at Yeovilton.G-LYNX is being unveiled to the Westland workforce on Friday 8th July and then returns here with the other two on 11th,all looking nice and new!
Meanwhile several others have been repositioned in readiness.
We have been having a major sort-out of spares recently and are trying to re-store in a more logical manner but the recent disposal of three spare W30 cabins meant a hurried filling of containers and we are now almost back to square one.Most of the bits are Wessex and Whirlwind and other older types so cant help with Lynx panel bits at present but will keep an eye open.
Restoration wise the Belvedere crew are wanting to move the aircraft to put the rear rotorhead back on and then are probably in a position to fit the tailplanes and begin working on restoring the main rotor blades and repainting the aircraft. However that will need another carefully planned move around in that part of the museum….still at least we don’t have to fit it though a nine foot door like IWM and the B-17 !
By: ian_ - 17th June 2011 at 12:56
Really must make a concerted effort on those breaking areas, Pagen. Have called in briefly on the way to and from places but not yet made a day of it. Heli1, I’m on the scrounge for Lynx bits for a panel project, photo in the cockpitfest wants thread. I’ve got a very decorative helicopter item for swaps!
By: pagen01 - 17th June 2011 at 11:40
You and the subject of Saints has just reminded me that yesterday I had to chase a fox through a disused bit of land immediately to the south of West Orchard. It was very lumpy and bumpy so checked the area out on those ’45-’46 verts and there are dismembered aircraft on it, think it’s the same area as those Albermarles etc in a photo somewhere.
Back to wellychopters!:o
By: ian_ - 17th June 2011 at 11:28
Cheers Pagen, I remembered it was red but I was 12!
By: pagen01 - 17th June 2011 at 11:04
Yep!
photo of XR486 on my work hard drive so unsure who to credit it to.
By: ian_ - 17th June 2011 at 10:21
I remember the Queens flight helicopter at St Athan (I think it was the Whirlwind) Me and my school friend rubbed ourselves lavishly on the seats and felt very important.
By: inkworm - 17th June 2011 at 07:39
Let’s see some photographic evidence then! 🙂
By: heli1 - 16th June 2011 at 23:50
Well today was an opportunity to see some of the helicopters outdoors whist the chess game was played in the hangar.
I went down at lunchtime to see the Queens Flight Whirlwind being moved by a number of chiefs and few injuns ,which is usually a recipe for disaster.
However once a little bit of order was restored it seemed to be going OK.
Hopefully by tomorrow all will be in place ,ready for next month when the Lynx fleet returns !
This weekend is Fathers Day with quite a few flights booked already.Just hope the sun shines a bit.
Working up too for the Stars of Time event at the end of the month…Dr Who,James Bond etc etc …should be great fun.Was that really a Dalek I saw today in the hangar…oh yes it was!
By: Tin Triangle - 10th June 2011 at 20:25
Me too: when not at university it’s my local musem, and I’m always interested to see what’s going on.
By: ian_ - 10th June 2011 at 19:37
Thanks for the updates Heli1. Always enjoy a visit to your museum and looking forward to your cockpitfest.
By: Arm Waver - 10th June 2011 at 19:09
As will I – Having been to the museum and helped at Helidays for a few years in the past I think it is an area often overlooked.
Looking forward to the next instalment
By: Seafuryfan - 10th June 2011 at 09:27
Heli1, great idea of a dedicated thread to THM. Helicopters traditionally dont have as many fans as heavy metal but we are still out there. I shall read your updates with interest.
Regards,
SFF
By: heli1 - 8th June 2011 at 12:37
Will it..wont it…The Museum has been asked to loan out the stretched Lynx 3 for Yeovilton Air Day and now we have to see if we can get it out and back in after relocating the Mi-8.Otherwise we may have to delay the move until mid July.Other smaller moves will go ahead on the 18th anyway. Expect rain that day !
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June 7, 2011 at 11:37 am