LONDON.- The RAF Museum announced the transfer of Bristol Sycamore HR.14 XL824 to the Bristol Aerospace Centre

The Bristol Sycamore was the first British-designed helicopter to serve with the Royal Air Force. Produced by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, it was employed on search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare duties.

The Sycamore entered service with 275 Squadron of the RAF in April 1953, and went on to serve with nine squadrons in total. It was used during the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) for deploying Army foot patrols into the jungle. The type was used by the Royal Air Force Central Flying School for pilot training.

This particular example served with No. 284 Squadron in Cyprus during the late 1950’s before returning to the UK in the mid 1960’s. Following a brief stint at the Central Flying School, it was allocated to the RAF Museum in the late 1960’s. It was then loaned out to Manchester Air & Space Museum for public display between 1982 and 2008. Since then it has been in RAFM storage facility at MoD Stafford.

Ian Thirsk, Head of Collections RAF Museum: “We are very happy for the team at the Bristol Aerospace Centre and cannot think of a more appropriate recipient for the Sycamore. As a new organisation celebrating the UK’s rich aviation heritage we would also like to wish them the best of luck and look forward to working together in the future.”

Lloyd Burnell, Project Director at Bristol Aero Collection Trust, said "We are delighted that the RAF Museum has elected to gift its Bristol Sycamore HR.14 to the Bristol Aerospace Centre, which will provide a fitting home for the helicopter as part of our extensive collection of Bristol aerospace products.The Bristol Aerospace Centre is a new £16 million industrial museum and learning centre at Filton, one of the birthplaces of the UK industry, and is due to open in Spring 2017. We already have significant financial backing from corporate and other partners and were recently awarded a £4.7 million grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund. We look forward to continuing to build upon our strong relationships with the RAF Museum as we deliver the project"