Classic Helicopters Still Doing The Fandango!

[SASless]

Recently I learned of some classic helicopters being operated in the UK by private owners, trusts, and museums.

I have always enjoyed seeing Warbirds out flying and putting on Air Displays......one that stands out was the Mustang and Spitfire that performed at Redhill one year.

It is good we have people that will provide youngsters the chance to see aviation history where it should be done....within arms reach and also in the air.

In my early days in the UK I spent much time at the Shuttleworth Collection and other such venues, fell in love with Duxford, enjoyed meeting the Skeeter Crew, and in later years had a passing connection a certain Huey that is flying.

I have always held to the old saying that you helicopters are different....as at airfields you see old helicopter pilots but no old helicopters flying.

Now I. hear there are Whirlwinds, Wessex, Sea Kings, and even a Lynx flying.

I can imagine what an Open Day might be like to see some old Hillers and Bells mixed in with those other aircraft.

In the USA we have many operators of Hueys and a few Cobra's....at one time we even had H-34's, an H-21, and a H-25 with many light Bells and Hillers scattered throughout the County.

Notably missing are the CH-37, CH-3, CH-53, and CH-47's....as it takes some very deep pockets for those War Birds.

I was privileged to fly a lot of different helicopters....from the Bell 47 to the CH-47 and found some to be wonderful machines to fly and to see them still out and about brings back a lot of memories.

Now that Covid Mandates are going away....perhaps it is time to take a trip back to the Uk and take a wander about the Realm and catch some of the Open Days and Museums.

There is a Reunion being planned for some Old Gits that I am thinking about attending which adds to the notion of a UK Trip.

One place I was acquainted with In the USA is the Olympic Air Museum in Olympia, Washington.

https://olympicflightmuseum.com

[JohnDixson]

There is a former USMC S-51 that was flown in the Korean War, now completely refreshed to USMC original paint etc. Owned and flown by a former SA test pilot Alex Anduce. At least it was as of a couple of years ago.

[[email protected]]

You'd be very welcome back in the UK Sasless and a visit to Historic Helicopters in Chard, Somerset should be on the itinerary.

[ApolloHeli]

There's a Huey (https://www.huey.co.uk/) flying around in the UK as well - I haven't seen it myself, but heard of it from mutual connections

[SASless]

Crab,

That would be a very interesting visit....in their display of the SAR Sea King....do they have Recliners and Lounge Chairs for use by Visitors so they can feel like SAR Pilots?

[SASless]

Apollo,

The Owner and all of his Team that have made that such a success deserve a lot of credit.

Seeing those names on the Cabin Doors and knowing the story behind them adds a very special touch to it all....as does how she got. her name on the nose.

[diginagain]

There is a Wasp at North Weald

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEJm04BXPLg
And a Lynx AH7 now that XZ179 has receive a Permit to Fly.

[Hughes500]

I know personally Phil who owns the Huey which is based at Wesham near Blackpool. I am driving up to see him tomorrow to renew his ratings

[315B]

There are many Alouettes still flying. Sn1003 is the oldest, first built in 1956.
It was airworthy up until 2018 and is quite possibly being rebuilt, if it hasn't been returned to an airworthy state already.
Personally I would love to see a Saunders-Roe Skeeter back in the air someday.
I'm sure the OH-6 is considered a classic by todays standards, many of which are still air worthy.

[[email protected]]

do they have Recliners and Lounge Chairs for use by Visitors so they can feel like SAR Pilots? yes, you can even have an afternoon nap there to make it truly authentic:)

[Tickle]

Might be a Scout and / or Wasp too, seen videos of them on display.

[NutLoose]

SASless, you can go fly in the Huey, see

https://www.huey.co.uk/

I am also surprised no one has mentioned this to you.

The Helicopter Museum (http://www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk/)

;)

http://www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk/cockpitdays.htm

also

https://www.historichelicopters.com/Pages/1/Home.html

https://www.facebook.com/NavyWessex/

They operate Wessex, Whirlwind, Sea KIngs and Lynx


..

[SASless]

Nutty,

Thank you for the information in your post. I would certainly enjoy a ride in the Huey and the Hughes 500 they have. A ride in the Sea King and Wessex would also be a hoot. If I go there I shall look for the Recliner with Crab’s name on it and take a nice Kip in an effort to be a real SAR Pilot.

Here is a new one on me.....in Windsor Locks, CT.

"Located adjacent to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, the Museum is the largest aviation museum in New England.
The New England Air Museum houses over 80 aircraft in three large hangars and outdoor display area, as well as an extensive collection of engines, instruments, aircraft parts, uniforms and personal memorabilia. Plan a visit today to check out exciting aircraft, displays, exhibits and programs that are perfect for all ages!"

They have an amazing array of aircraft....and all looking very good.

My next Walkabout is going to be dedicated to seeing Museums and flying aircraft collections....and my real favorites.....Battleships....my two favorites are the USS North Carolina (BB-55) and the USS Constitution.

[[email protected]]

And a Lynx AH7 now that XZ179 has receive a Permit to Fly. Second only to 616 which has been flying since Nov 21 for airtest and on Permit to fly since the beginning of Jan :ok:

[SASless]

I would be terrified to fly in a Lynx with Crab....he might want to turn the thing upside down with me in it (intentionally.....which makes me wonder about his sanity....and not his flying ability).

While flying the BO-105 and BK-117....with visions of Zimmerman and his aerial displays in mind.....I could never get up the courage to do a Roll or Loop in them.

We did have one Aircraft, an S-58T (very similar to Wessex)....while departing a Rig one dark and foggy night, encounter a bit of a problem and the Cabin Attendent reported having stood on the Cabin Ceiling for a bit....but that was not intentional on the Pilot's part.

[[email protected]]

Sadly Sasless, not allowed to do any of that upside downy stuff, the permit to fly won't allow it and anyway the engineering penalties are high for those manoeuvres, even if we could actually record the stress with a g-meter as we did in the military days.

It is still a sports-car of a helicopter to fly though:ok:

[NutLoose]

Do you remember the Poster that the MOD put out that had the lynx jet pipe area on it, complete with the chopped down oil can to catch the oil scavenging out of the said jet pipe.

[[email protected]]

Do you remember the Poster that the MOD put out that had the lynx jet pipe area on it, complete with the chopped down oil can to catch the oil scavenging out of the said jet pipe. they still do that, even when they have been lovingly restored:)

[thechopper]

That might be worthwhile a visit

[Two's in]

Do you remember the Poster that the MOD put out that had the lynx jet pipe area on it, complete with the chopped down oil can to catch the oil scavenging out of the said jet pipe.

Who knew if you mounted the engines 3 degrees nose up when on level ground they would drain oil? (What's that? Everybody knew?) Many a pristine aircraft dispersal has been sullied by the RR Gem "design feature". Hard to think of a Lynx Mk 7 being a classic helicopter, I must be getting old or something.

[meleagertoo]

Bell47 to Chinook.
Aah memories! My first two types. Talk about sublime to the ridiculous! But both remain firm favourites.

[megan]

Two of my Vietnam units crew chiefs, Geoff Carr and Peter Olesko, have breathed life into a UH-1H which they operate out of Redwood City, CA with the aim of,

1. To preserve the history of the Huey Helicopter.

2. To honor the memory of the men who served in the 135th Assault Helicopter Company and all Vietnam Veterans.

3. To serve our nation’s Veterans impacted by PTSD and other invisible wounds of war through comradery and contact with EMU 309, our Huey Helicopter.

Don't know if they are still on the lookout, but were after a UH-1C to restore to gunship status. I'm sure they would welcome a heads up if anyone reading is in the know of a possible candidate.

Huey Vets | Official website of EMU, Inc (http://www.hueyvets.com/)

[Palma]

.
"Personally I would love to see a Saunders-Roe Skeeter back in the air someday."

Unfortunately, the CAA will not allow Skeeters to fly with their original blades - manufacturing new blades would be very expensive.....

[315B]

Unfortunately, the CAA will not allow Skeeters to fly with their original blades - manufacturing new blades would be very expensive.....
Thank you for the info Palma.
I was thinking it might have been possible after seeing the Bristol 171 as restored by redbull getting flight approval. According to an infographic on their site she first flew in 1957!
Perhaps if as much attention was devoted to a Skeeter it could similarly receive a potential exception ..with new blades of course.