The Royal Ceylon Air Force, the predecessor of the current Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), operated two Westland-built versions of the Sikorsky S-51, between 1956 and 1972. This immaculately restored example with serial CH-501 is on display in the excellent SLAF museum in Ratmalana and was first reported here in March 1993.

DND photo.

A very interesting photo as this British Navy Dragonfly carries an RCAF squadron code PX. That is the code for the CEPE - Central Experimental and Proving Establishment. The polar bear badge is for the Climatic Detachment of the CEPE. This Dragonfly arrived at Namao, the base of the Climatic Detachment on 22-Sep-1953. It arrived back in the UK 14-May-1954. DND photo.

VX959 has been preserved at the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Sold after withdrawal from Royal Navy in 1970 to Twyford Moors Helicopters in Southampton, then went to the FAAM until acquired by the British Rotorcraft (later Helicopter) Museum in November 1973, registered as G-BRMA on 15 June 1978 and cancelled on 30 March 1989 as permanently withdrawn from use. Now displayed under cover.

SOC and sold to Twyford Moors Helicopters on 5th May 1970. To the Fleet Air Arm Museum by road 15th June 1974 and here seen as a static exhibit at Shuttleworth's Naval Aviation Display 6 weeks later. The code '97'is on the open hatch below the rotor head. Registered to the British Rotorcraft Museum (later International Helicopter Museum) Weston-super-Mare as G-BRMA in June 1978 and current in 2024 as WG719.

Demonstration at the 1956 general fair in Milan. Ex G-ALMB, MM80118. Photo from: Fondazione Fiera Milano

Now preserved in a large tent to shelter it from the elements.

Supplied as military aid by Britain when Yugoslavia broke away from the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc. Photo from: National Library of Australia

With the Board of Trade fire training school. Last served at RAE Bedford, SOC 25th September 1962. To South Humberside Preservation Society June 1976. Eventually to Diving School, Capernwray, Nr Carnforth, Lancs April 1996 and submerged for underwater training.

Ex Culdrose Station Flight, then stored at Blackbushe for a while. After the closure of Torbay Aircraft Museum it was sold at Sotheby's auction on 19 October 1988 to Caernarfon Airport. Stored at Aeroventure for possible restoration in the future.

An ex-Royal Navy machine that spent most of its operational life with A&AEE and RAE. It was withdrawn by 10 June 1960, and used for ground instruction as 7703M at RAF Weeton and later at St Athan. Moved to the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop on 24 April 1978. Registered as N9987Q on 30 November 1981 to be displayed as "0020" at the Venezuelan Air Force Museum, but instead it went to Cornwall Aero Park/Flambards in Helston, Cornwall as "WG754/CU-912". When Flambards closed it went to Culdrose to be dismantled and shipped to the Royal Australian Navy museum at Nowra on 16 February 2000.

Sold on 5 May 1970 to Twyford Moors Helicopters, Southampton, then went to the FAAM in June 1974 until acquired by the Rotorcraft (later Helicopter) Museum in 1978, and registered as G-BRMA. It is now displayed at Weston-super-Mare under cover.

Built originally as a Dragonfly HR1, f/f Sept.1950. Delivered to its first unit, 705 NAS on 15th Nov.1950. During its service life it underwent two upgrades, to HR3 in March 1953 and to HR5 in Nov.1956. After serving with several different units, it arrived with Culdrose Station Flight by Feb.1966. SOC June 1970. By August 1974 it was stored at Culdrose for the FAA Museum.

The last of an order for nine aircraft from Westland's production line. Photo from: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee