> On 01/04/2014 08:06, Ramsman wrote:
>>> On 31/03/2014 18:11, Claus Gustafsen wrote:
>>>> Well I agree that the Buffalo isn'r a pretty plane, it still looks
>>>> better than the Barracuda to me.
>>>> But the brittish did produce this (it seems to me) much overlooked
>>>> beauty: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westland_Whirlwind_(fighter)
>>>> Claus
>>>
>>> Hi Claus,
>>>
>>> I live a couple of miles from where the Westland Whirlwind was built.
>>>
>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6idJ3tF00Og
>>>
>>> http://www.britishpathe.com/video/whirlwind-fighter-squadron
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Thank you for posting those Ricardo. First time I've seen Whirlwinds in
>> flight. Such an elegant aircraft. I first came across it as an Airfix
>> kit way back when. Two bob at Woolies, I think.
>>
>> By the time I started work at Yeovil, Westlands were well into the
>> helicopter era, in fact I was involved in the computer side of Sea King
>> production.
>>
>
> Hi Peter,
>
> Ah yes, those Airfix kits that contributed so much to our youth. I
> remember the anxious waits for Woollies to put the latest Airfix
> offerings on sale, pocket money clutched in hot little hands.
>
> Strange to relate, helicopters were never Westland's forte in that they
> only became involved by government decree, at which time they took over
> Bristol's extensive work in that field. However, their subsequent
> expertise has made them world contributors.
>
> Here's a few Bristol bits at the Helicopter Museum at Weston.
>
Yet another exclusive Airfix kit! I've still got an unmade one in the
loft (along with many other kits).
Westland also took over Fairey and Saunders-Roe/British Hovercraft
Corporation, and of course there were the contacts with the French.
Too many stories to of my time in Yeovil to relate here, mostly happy
ones, especially those involving beer, rugby and/or sex, but not
necessarily in that order!
--
Peter
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