Sadly,clambered all over the Predannack wrecks some time ago and nothing relevant in them. A lot of the sonar stuff was taken out for the Sea Kings but so far have been unable to find any scrapped HAS marks of those. The ones at Sultan appear to defy disposal to the likes of us….and finding boxes marked sonar among the surplus stores of A and G or other dealers seems only to turn up nuts and bolts!

The QH-50D DASH , serial DS1482,arrived at last today from California and was safely unloaded in the restoration hangar. It will need to be reassembled although apart from the main rotor blades and some of the electronics it is substantially complete.
The first drone helicopter in the world to enter service,saw operations in the Vietnam War and this example is one of only two on display outside the United States.

Latest on QH-50D is that it is due into Liverpool Docks on 21st this month so should be at the museum for reassembly by beginning of October. Whilst the cost shipping it from California to the UK has been covered by a US helicopter company we have to pick up the shipping agents rip off cost of it clearing customs and being delivered to Weston. Collecting it ourselves appears to be ruled out due to the added cost quoted for them to take it out of the container and load it on a flatbed….It’s only about 500kg but you’d think it was 10 tonnes !

THM has enjoyed the best August in visitor numbers since opening 25 years ago and celebrated with the last of the month’s Open Cockpit Days by allowing visitors into the Hind cockpit….a rare treat for visitors. Sadly however our collections officer was taken from us only days previously due to a sudden heart attack. Stacie hadn’t been in post very long but previously was a volunteer with us on the front desk so her loss is widely felt. She was great with children and adults alike as all who met her can testify. A real shock.