Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare (not for 56k)

VEGAS · Post by **VEGAS** » 08 Feb 2007, 17:05

Hi all,

been visiting family down in Somerset and thought I'd pop into the International Helicopter Museum at Weston-Super-Mare. What a fine collection of aircraft and extremely friendly staff. Well worth a visit if your anywhere near the place. Here's a selection from my visit this week. Enjoy!

This was like she had just rolled out of the factory.

Sadly all that remains of this unique Aircraft.

The mighty frelon. An absolute monster. Immaculate inside.

Beautiful!

Note the detachable passenger pod.

This beast speaks for itself

World record holder

Work in progress. Apparantly 18 months from completion.

Thanks to all the staff for their time during my visit. True gentlemen.

Vulcan_to_the_Sky! · Post by **Vulcan_to_the_Sky!** » 08 Feb 2007, 17:18

Some interesting stuff there, thanks for sharing.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 08 Feb 2007, 17:40

Nice pics Eddie

Is the Rotordyne section genuine or a cross section mock up or the type they used to make then to get an idea of the finished product.

I say that because supposedly the only reaming bits were parts of the rotor...but maybe more turned up after being hidden away somewhere

The Super Frelon I think was the only civil one :think:

Garry

VEGAS · Post by **VEGAS** » 08 Feb 2007, 17:52

Garry Russell wrote:Nice pics Eddie

Is the Rotordyne section genuine or a cross section mock up or the type they used to make then to get an idea of the finished product.

I say that because supposedly the only reaming bits were parts of the rotor...but maybe more turned up after being hidden away somewhere

The Super Frelon I think was the only civil one :think:

Garry

Hi Garry,

According to the staff the section is the real thing from the Aircraft. Here is another shot, this time with the workings of the massive rotor assembly to show the sheer size of the mechanics. :shock:

jonesey2k · Post by **jonesey2k** » 08 Feb 2007, 18:02

Some nice shots there.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 08 Feb 2007, 18:08

Thanks Eddie

A massive structure there to carry that load :shock:

Garry

VEGAS · Post by **VEGAS** » 08 Feb 2007, 18:41

Some further shots..

Prototype WG30 (check out the interior!)

The Russian Whirlwind?

The Super Frelon cockpit (taken behind perspex screen, sorry!)

jamesstables · Post by **jamesstables** » 08 Feb 2007, 18:50

Its a nice collection they've got down there. I'll have to go one day (I'm slowly working my way down the list!).

But I'm still confused as to why they sent the first production whirlwind which was in restorable condition to the fire dump at colerne?

thehappyotter · Post by **thehappyotter** » 08 Feb 2007, 18:54

Looks like a good afternoon out, cheers Eddie.

kit · Post by **kit** » 09 Feb 2007, 23:35

They have a Rotodayne rotor blade there too. The last time I was there, maybe 2 years ago, it was lying on the floor between the fuselage section and the wall. The tip jet is surprisingly small for something that made such a DIABOLICAL noise!

I say that because I was a victim of the noise in the '50s. Fairey had so many complaints about the racket while the 'Dyne was flying from White Waltham that they transferred flight testing to RAF Benson where I was living at the time. Apparently Forces families' hearing was expendable.... :k:

My wife and I went to the Museum the day that Hind D was delivered. She asked 'What are those black rod things sticking out from under the cockpit for?' :roll: