Bristol Sycamore HR14
Serial Number:
XJ918
Period:
Post-WWII
Collection Ref: 84/A/1168
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, Transport & Training
The Sycamore has the distinction of being the first British-designed
helicopter to fly. During the 1950s Sycamore crews helped pioneer many
of the helicopter techniques commonly used today in air-sea rescue and
troop transport work.
By 1944 the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment had decided that
gliders were most suited to the transportation of large numbers of troops.
They therefore released the group of designers which had been working
on helicopter projects to the Bristol Aeroplane Company, allowing Bristol
to set up a Helicopter Department. By 1947, the company had built the
prototype of the Sycamore, which made its first test flight in July of
that year.
The Sycamore entered RAF service in 1953 and operated in a variety of
roles. As well as equipping nine RAF squadrons, the aircraft was also
bought by Australia, Germany and Belgium. Together with the Westland Dragonfly
the Sycamore proved the importance of helicopters for transporting troops
and supplies into harsh terrain which is inaccessible to fixed-wing aircraft
and road vehicles. During the campaign against Communist guerrillas in
Malaya (1948-1960) these helicopters were invaluable for carrying patrols
into the jungle and their ability to evacuate casualties from small clearings
proved a great morale booster.
