Bristol 171 Sycamore Mk.3

Bristol 171 Sycamore Mk.3

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01/31/2008. This five-seat general purpose helicopter was registered as
G-ALSX in November 1950, made its first flight on April 30, 1951. Powered by a single 550 hp Alvis Leonides LE 23 HM nine-cylinder radial air-cooled piston engine, it was used as a company demonstrator. It also performed aircraft carrier landing trials on HMS Triumph in 1951 and it also played a significant part in the relief work after the Dutch flood disaster of February 1, 1953.

In January 1958 it was sold to the Williamson Diamonds Limited of Tanganyika (united with Zanzibar in 1964 and became Tanzania) and was registered VR-TBS. It was returned to the manufacturer in 1960 and took up its former registration G-ALSX in March, being registered to Westland while the Bristol helicopter interests were taken over by Westland. Thereafter it was allocated the 'Class B' marking G-48-1.

In 1969 it was acquired by the British Rotorcraft Museum at Weston-super-Mare, and subsequently displayed at Staverton, Duxford and back at Weston-super-Mare. In April 1991 it was delivered to the Apprentice Training School at Westland for restoration and is presently displayed in its original paint scheme of 1951.


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01/31/2008. This five-seat general purpose helicopter was registered as G-ALSX in November 1950, made its first flight on April 30, 1951. Powered by a single 550 hp Alvis Leonides LE 23 HM nine-cylinder radial air-cooled piston engine, it was used as a company demonstrator. It also performed aircraft carrier landing trials on HMS Triumph in 1951 and it also played a significant part in the relief work after the Dutch flood disaster of February 1, 1953. In January 1958 it was sold to the Williamson Diamonds Limited of Tanganyika (united with Zanzibar in 1964 and became Tanzania) and was registered VR-TBS. It was returned to the manufacturer in 1960 and took up its former registration G-ALSX in March, being registered to Westland while the Bristol helicopter interests were taken over by Westland. Thereafter it was allocated the 'Class B' marking G-48-1. In 1969 it was acquired by the British Rotorcraft Museum at Weston-super-Mare, and subsequently displayed at Staverton, Duxford and back at Weston-super-Mare. In April 1991 it was delivered to the Apprentice Training School at Westland for restoration and is presently displayed in its original paint scheme of 1951.