Bristol Sycamore MK.3 (WA577)
NAHR category - Significant
Aircraft History
The Bristol Sycamore was the first postwar British commercial helicopter and flew for the first time in July 1947. The Mk.1 aircraft was powered by a P&W Wasp Junior engine. Design trials led to a Mk.2 version in 1948 powered by an Alvis Leonides engine which gave a more accessible, simpler and lighter engine installation. This engine was used in all other variants of the aircraft.
The civilian version (Mk.3) had the capacity to carry four passengers with a large baggage bay in the tail of the aircraft. During 1950 the definitive version of the Sycamore was introduced and could be fitted with a hydraulic winch and rear blister door to facilitate the carrying of two stretchers. The aircraft was well suited to to Search and Rescue, Air Liaison and Air Ambulance work and it was in this role that the aircraft served with the British, German, Belgian and Australian armed forces. Production of the Sycamore came to an end in 1959 with 178 aircraft being produced. The Sycamore was the first helicopter to be used in an air to surface television transmission.
WA577 History
This was the third production Sycamore and used for development trials by the Ministry of Supply. It was allocated the civil registration G-ALST in June 1949, but this was not taken up, and it was cancelled in November 1950. It saw service with the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Boscombe Down, and in January 1953 was handed over the Royal Air Force to serve with 194 Squadron in Malaya. After it was withdrawn, it became a ground instruction airframe with No.4 School of Technical Training (SoTT) at St Athan, where it was allocated the maintenance number 7718M. After a period of time with the 492 ATC Squadron at Shirley, it was acquired by the North East Aircraft Museum in the early 1980's.
WA577 in NEAM storage hangar no.2 (not open to the public)
Credit : Malcolm Clarke
WA577 in 1950