The exciting prospect of seeing this fly in a few years' time is now a reality, with this currently next in line once the long-term restoration of Whirlwind G-BVGE is complete.

This was permanently withdrawn from use in November 2002 and it became an exhibit at this museum. In September 2015 it was removed from display and moved to Northampton-Sywell as part of celebrations for its previous operator, Sloane Helicopters. It is now under restoration, hopefully to airworthy condition

Scan from a print

It was the first Westland-Sikorsky S-51 and registered in 1948 as G-AKTW. In 1953 it became the first Westland Dragonfly 1A for the RAF as XD649. After evaluation it was restored to civil and became the type/version as above. In 1958 the registration was changed to G-APPR with Bristow Helicopters and here on lease or for demo purposes with BUA. In 1962 it was exported as 5N-ABV and reportedly destroyed during the Biafra War.

Photo must have been taken in April 1959. On 8 April, G-ANLW made the first flight into the Westland Heliport on the Thames in Battersea. The official opening was on 23 April. Fulham Power Station in the background. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

The Westland Widgeon was an unsuccesful development of the WS-51 Dragonfly. Along with two Vertol 44s, G-ANLW topped up the Sabena helicopter fleet during World Expo 1958 in Brussels. The World Expo logo is on the nose.

New livery since the previous 1989 database photograph.

Westland's runabout at Heathrow South

Built in 1957. Served in Nigeria as 5N-ABW.