The Helicopter Museum.

Press Release 17th February 2008

Sycamores and Larks

After 20 years on loan to The Helicopter Museum (THM) Weston-super-Mare, a locally built oldtimer has departed for pastures new in Brussels. But it’s not all one way. Coming the other way is an example of the world’s first production jet-powered helicopter and another first for the UK aviation museum scene.

The helicopter leaving Weston on 21^st February is a Bristol Sycamore Mk.14 (XG547), one of the first built at Weston-super-Mare when production was transferred from the Filton factory in 1956. Purchased in the mid 1970s from the Royal Air Force by THM founder Elfan ap Rees and registered G-HAPR, the aircraft has been on display at the museum since it opened in 1988.

It’s departure won’t leave THM without an example of this famous local helicopter however, as the museum recently took possession from the Bristol Industrial Museum of another Weston-built Sycamore, XL829, which has replaced the previous aircraft in the main display hangar.

Meanwhile the Royal Military Museum in Brussels has been seeking a Sycamore Mk.14 for many years, as three aircraft were operated by the Royal Belgian Air Force during the late 1950s – early 1960s. All were unfortunately lost in accidents.

The availability of XG547 was therefore of much interest to the Military Museum aviation curator, Etienne Reunis, and a deal with Mr Ap Rees was quickly done, exchanging the Sycamore for a Royal Belgian Army SA318C, Alouette 2 helicopter. (Serial A-41).

Developed by Sud Aviation (now Eurocopter) at Marignane in France during the early 1950s, the Alouette became the world’s first helicopter to enter production powered by the jet turboshaft engine. The aircraft also set numerous records and one variant, the SA315B, still holds the absolute world altitude record for helicopters after climbing to 12,442 metres (40,820ft) on 21 June 1972. Large numbers were built, both for military and civil use, and the type has long been on the ‘wants’ list of THM but unaffordable.

The example acquired by Elfan ap Rees is in first class condition and was actually built just over 40 years ago in 1967. Powered by the Turbomeca Astazou 11A engine, it served with the Belgian Army in a reconnaissance and training role before being retired in 2005. The helicopter arrived at Weston on 19^th February and is already on display.