Sorry all but the H-21 being wrapped up today under tarps pending later reassembly and restoration…..really need a bigger hangar! Meanwhile new research has revealed more correct details of its history. It was actually built n early 1957, under a direct contract with France so was never allocated a US serial. In French service it began as F-MAAY with ALAT but was loaned to the Navy from mid 1958 to April 1960 as 31F-6 before returning to ALAT as F-MBEE and then F-MARB….the marks it carries now (‘ARB’).The one gap we still have is its Vertol build number.

Moving aircraft around today to make space for Wessex 3 to come out from restoration bay. This machine ,XM328, almost finished,just needs struts for port torpedo pylon to complete. Skeeter and Haner R2 now relocated,and space being created to improve access to the Sycamores.
Decision now made to paint Belvedere in situ as too difficult to move outside….its like playing chess !
Meanwhile all of Piascki H-21 now in UK and due to be moved to Weston on or about 29th. This aircraft has an interesting history ,having been delivered to the ALAT in Algeria(then a French colony) in 1955 and flown there until 1962 in action against the Algerian rebel forces. It’s French serial is known to be FR41 but researching its original US identity as believed to be one of a number transferred from a US Air Force or Army order.
Any suggestions ?

Second half of H-21 loaded at Grenoble today for museum. Once both halves are together in UK they will be brought to the museum together,later this month. First Flying Banana in UK.

Expecting the n ew Piasecki H-21 to arrive at the Helicopter Museum before the end of January but much restoration needed before fit for display. Also a certain big cat arriving in December has taken up the last available indoor space so the museum will have to store it outdoors until it can get another building erected.Looking at a l-o-n-g Romney Shed for now.
Great photo exhibition unveiled today for the Winter period and new Play Area helicopter being readied as a fatigue test airframe….if the kids can’t wreck it,no one will!
Next challenge will be to extract the Belvedere from the main hangar annex ready for installation of rear main gearbox and head and painting. This should be a photo op as the Sycamore and Alouette at least will also have to be moved into the open air for a couple of days whilst we reorganise.
The museum will try and give warning on its website and here when that happens.

Skeeter XL767 left the museum today enroute to Kraków and the Polish Aviation Museum. Meanwhile getting ready to welcome a replacement aircraft for display next week. The Museum is also preparing for the Belvedere move and the import of our Piasecki H-21 ,once we have a handle on the cost.