The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England, is one of the largest collections of helicopters in the world. It is dedicated to preserving the history of rotary-wing aviation and offers visitors a chance to explore a diverse collection of helicopters, both military and civilian, along with a range of aviation-related artifacts.

The Helicopter Museum

Locking Moor Road

Weston-super-Mare

Somerset BS24 8PP

United Kingdom

www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk

helimuseum@btconnect.com

+44 1934 635227

April – October

• Wednesday – Sunday 10:00 – 17:30

November – March

• Wednesday – Sunday  10:00 – 16:30

Closed Christmas, Boxing and New Years day

Admission fee

Gift shop

Located 3 miles from Weston-super-Mare sea front and well sign posted from all roads into and out of the town.

Aircraft collection

G-TIGE MM81205/GdiF-128 XT190 MM80927/CC-49 G-BVWL G-BWCW OO-SHW G-WLLY G-NORM G-REVS 66-16579 – – G-BIGP – D-HMQV G-ATFG G-OAPR G-ALSX XL829 XG452 XG454 XG462 G-BAPS G-AXRA G-ACWM/AP506 G-AWRP G-AXFM G-AZAU – G-EHIL/ZH647/PP3 G-OIOI/ZJ116 F-WQAP XE521 XJ928/G-AOUJ 05-1482 – XV798 G-ASTP 67-16506 – G-WBAT D-HOAY G-PASA G-PASB 81+00 G-ORVB/BPS-3 2007 SP-SAY 9147 618 96+26 BAPC60 RCN 622 G-OTED XL811 G-ARVN 145872 S-881 S-882 S-886 A-41 F-OCMF 1058/CDL G-AVKE FR41 BAPC128 VZ962 WG719 ZE477 G-LYNX XP165 XV123 XT148 XT190 XS463 XT443/422 XM330 XM328/PO-653 XV733 XW839 ZS782 G-BGHF N114WG G-ELEC G-HAUL BAPC153 G-AOZE G-AODA XD163 XK940 XR486 – 05

Aerospatiale AS332L Super Puma Agusta A109A-IIGdF Agusta-Bell 47G-3B1 Sioux AH Mk.1 Agusta-Bell AB206C-1 Jetranger Air and Space 18A autogyro Barnett J4B Bell 47H-1 Bell 206B-2 Bell 206B-3 Bell 206B-3 Bell UH-1H Iroquois Benson B.6 Gyroglider Bensen B-8M Gyro-Boat Bensen B-8M gyrocopter Bensen B-8M Gyro-Copter Bolkow Bo.102 Helitrainer Brantly B.2A Brantly B.2B Bristol 171 Sycamore Mk.3 Bristol 171 Sycamore HC Mk.14 Bristol Belverdere HC.1 Bristol Belverdere HC.1 Bristol Belverdere HC.1 (nose) Campbell Cougar Campbell Cricket Cierva C-30A Cierva Rotorcraft Grasshopper III Cierva Rotorcraft Grasshopper III Cierva Rotorcraft Grasshopper III Cranfield Vertigo EH Industries EH101 EH Industries EH101 Merlin Eurocopter SA365N Dauphin Fairey Rotodyne Y sections Fairey Ultra-Light Helicopter Gyrodyne QH-50D Dash Hafner R II Hawker Siddeley Harrier Gr.1 Hiller UH-12C Hughes YOH-6A Cayuse Husband Modac 500 Hornet Julian Cd Wombat Kamov Ka-26 “Hoodlum” MBB Bo.105D MBB Bo.105D MBB Bo.105M McCulloch J-2 Gyroplane Mil Mi-1 “Hare” Mil Mi-2 Mil Mi-4 “Hound” Mil Mi-8P Mil Mi-24D “Hind” Murray M-1 Piasecki HUP-3 Retriever Robinson R22HP Saunders Roe Skeeter AOP Mk.12 Servotec Grasshopper II Sikorsky CH-37C Mojave Sikorsky UH-19B Chickasaw Sikorsky UH-19B Chickasaw Sikorsky UH-19B Chickasaw Sud Aviation SA 318C Alouette 2 Sud Aviation SA321F Super Frelon Sud Ouest SO1221 Djinn Thruxton Gadfly HDW-1 Vertol/Piasecki H-21C Shawnee Watkinson CG-4 Westland Dragonfly HR Mk.1 Westland Dragonfly HR Mk.5 Westland Lynx 3 Westland Lynx 800 Westland Scout AH Mk.1 Westland Scout AH Mk.1 Westland Sioux AH.1 Westland Sioux AH.1 Westland Wasp HAS Mk.1 Westland Wasp HAS Mk.1 Westland Wessex HAS Mk.1 Westland Wessex HAS Mk.3 Westland Wessex HCC Mk.4 Westland WG-13 Lynx Westland WG25 RPH Sharpeye Westland WG30 Series 100 Westland WG30 Series 100 Westland WG30 Series 200 Westland WG30 Series 300 Westland WG33 Westland Widegon 2 Westland Whirlwind 3 Westland Whirlwind HAR Mk.10 Westland Whirlwind HAS Mk.7 Westland Whirlwind HCC Mk.12 Westland Wisp WSK-Swidnik SM-2

Overview:

• Location: Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England.
• Established: 1989, originally as a place to preserve and display the history of helicopters.
• Focus: Showcasing the development and use of helicopters throughout history, with an emphasis on their role in military, rescue, and civilian operations.

---

Exhibits and Highlights The Helicopter Museum:

1. Helicopter Collection:

• The museum boasts over 80 helicopters and related exhibits, making it one of the largest collections of its kind in the world. Notable aircraft include:
  • Westland Wessex: A British utility helicopter used by the Royal Navy and other services.
  • Westland Lynx: A modern British military helicopter with a distinguished service history.
  • Bell 47: The famous helicopter featured in the popular TV show MASH*.
  • Sikorsky CH-53: A large military transport helicopter.
  • Harrier GR5: Although primarily a jet, the museum also features a number of VTOL aircraft, which are related to helicopter technology.

2. Military Helicopters:

• The museum has an extensive collection of military helicopters from different countries and periods, including:
  • Sea King : Large military transport helicopter used by the UK and the US military.
  • Lynx AH1 : British military helicopters with advanced weaponry systems.

3. Civilian Helicopters:

• A selection of civilian helicopters, including models used for air ambulance services, offshore oil rigs, and other civilian purposes.
• Some helicopters are used for private transport, showcasing the growing role of helicopters in everyday life.

4. History and Development of Rotary-Wing Aviation:

• The museum offers a deep dive into the evolution of rotary-wing aviation, from early experimental models to modern-day helicopters.
• Interactive Displays provide information on the engineering, design, and technology behind helicopter development.

---

Significance:

The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare is a unique and comprehensive destination for those interested in aviation history, technology, and the fascinating world of helicopters. It offers a hands-on experience with some of the most iconic helicopters, along with in-depth historical context and modern-day relevance.

Photos Rob Vogelaar