World’s Largest Helicopter Museum Seeks Volunteer Assistance

Marking its 35th anniversary, a helicopter museum is seeking additional volunteers to assist with the upkeep of its exhibits. Located in Weston-super-Mare, The Helicopter Museum houses over 100 rotary-wing aircraft, making it the globe’s most extensive collection. These volunteers contribute to the restoration of the aircraft, a significant number of which have seen service in military operations globally. The museum’s origins will be recounted by its founder, Captain Elfan Ap Rees, on 3 November, coinciding with the anniversary celebrations. Captain Ap Rees began collecting helicopters in 1969 after he was presented with the chance to purchase a Bristol Sycamore, which was the inaugural aircraft he had piloted. “I collected seven or eight helicopters in fairly rapid succession and then had to look for somewhere to put them,” he stated. “The obvious place was the factory in Weston, where they were building helicopters.” He added, “I started to realise that whilst the Fleet Air Arm Museum and the RAF Museum were collecting helicopters of interest to them, there were quite a few others that were falling between the cracks, so to speak, and nobody seemed to be interested.” In the 1980s, he successfully convinced the former Westland Helicopters, a company that designed, manufactured, and repaired helicopters in Weston, to lease four acres of airfield land at a nominal rent. “Initially the collection was British helicopters from different manufacturers, but eventually, as I was by then working in the industry, I was able, through my contacts, to get helicopters from all over the world,” he explained. He further noted, “One of my favourites is the Russian attack helicopter, the Hind, which is a fearsome beast and we managed to get one from East Germany, which is on display and very popular.” The Hafner RII Revoplane, constructed in 1931, represents the museum’s oldest exhibit, while the EH Industries EH101 Heliliner is its newest. A restoration initiative is presently in progress for a twin-rotor helicopter, known as the “Flying Banana” due to its distinctive kinked fuselage. The background of this French aircraft, which saw deployment during the Algerian War of Independence, will also be presented on 3 November. Attendees of the anniversary festivities will also have the opportunity to explore the Russian Mi-8 helicopter. This aircraft was leased by Pinewood Studios and depicted flying again with CGI assistance in the movie Black Widow, featuring Scarlett Johansson in the cockpit. “When it came back to us it was still in the colours they used for the film, so we’ve kept it like that for the time being out of interest,” stated Captain Ap Rees. He also mentioned, “The restoration area is manned by volunteers.” He concluded by saying, “People who might be interested in coming along to help don’t need any special knowledge, we can help with that, they just need the enthusiasm to have a go.”