SOUTHPORT AIRSHOW 2015: WESTLAND SCOUT

Like many other people at airshows, I always enjoy seeing veteran  aircraft, especially ones I remember seeing as a youngster, usually on TV or as an Airfix kit.

The Westland Scout helicopter is one example. I must have made half a dozen of these aircraft as Airfix kits during the sixties.

So, seeing the real thing at Saturday's airshow was a real buzz. Watching it hovering above me reminded me of times years ago when I'd have more plastic cement on my hands than the kit.

The Scout AH 1 was a land based general purpose helicopter, primarily used by the Army Air Corps throughout the sixties and seventies. A navel variant was also developed called the Wasp.

The Scout  also featured in the 1982 film, 'Who Dare's Wins', which starred  Lewis Collins.