Westland Wessex HC2 XR517 Ulster Aviation Society
I'm over at the Ulster Aviation society outside Lisburn. This is the
Westland Wessex HC2 XR517 a tireless workhorse of a vehicle.
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 Choctaw, developed under license by Westland Aircraft (later Westland Helicopters), initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force. The Wessex was built at Westland's factory at Yeovil in Somerset.
An American-built Sikorsky HSS-1 was shipped to Westland in 1956 to act as a pattern aircraft. It was re-engined with a Napier Gazelle turboshaft engine, and first flew in that configuration on the 17 May 1957. The first Westland-built Wessex XL727, a Wessex HAS.1 first flew on 20 June 1958, and they entered anti-submarine duties in 1961 with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. The Royal Navy's anti-submarine examples (HAS Mk.1, HAS Mk.3) also used the Gazelle engine.
The design was adapted in the early 1960s for the RAF, and later Royal Marines, to become a general-purpose helicopter capable of troop-carrying, air ambulance and ground support roles. In contrast with the HAS.1, it used twin Bristol Siddeley Gnome engines. These marks (HC.2, HCC.4, HU.5) had a single large exhaust on each side of the nose, the Gazelle-powered examples having a pair of smaller exhausts on either side.
XR517 first flew in January 1964 and was issued to 18 Squadron and coded G. In 1968 it was transferred to 72 Squadron and from 1971 until 1992 was based at RAF Aldergrove first carrying the code AN. After its service in Northern Ireland it returned to England with 60 Squadron at RAF Benson. It was acquired by the Society in 2004 from Dick Everett of Shoreham and trucked from there to Langford Lodge.
For 32 years, from 1969, Wessex helicopters of 72 Squadron were based in Northern Ireland in the role of assisting the civil power and supporting the security forces.
In addition, it had a search and rescue function. It could carry 16 fully-armed troops or lift a 4000 pound underslung load
VAMPIRE Trainer Ulster Aviation Society Lisburn
I'm down at the Ulster aviation society hanger just outside Lisbure and here is a very 'cool' looking Vampire Trainer with its' split tail end.
Vampire T.11 WZ549
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engined fighter of the Second World War, the second jet-powered aircraft commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the War (the first being the Gloster Meteor), although it was not used in combat.
The Vampire served with front line RAF squadrons until 1955 and continued in use as a trainer until 1966. It also served with many air forces worldwide, and set several aviation firsts and records. Almost 3,300 Vampires were built, a quarter of them under licence in other countries. The Vampire design was also developed into the de Havilland Venom fighter-bomber as well as naval Sea Vampire variants.
UAS Open Day August 2012 — The Boys of '42 — Ulster Aviation Society
Short documentary showing the preparation for the last UAS Open Day back in August 2012. The theme of the event was the Tribute to the Boys of '42 showing a little bit of the history of RAF Long Kesh / Maze Long Kesh site from WWII back when there were thousands of GI's and US Air Force personnel of the Advance Composite forces.
August 2012 was the last time the Society were able to take the Buccaneer out of the hangar too (big doors seized up after that through lack of use, and lack of future Open Days).
Video & Sound: ADAM DOUGLAS
Producer & Director: STEPHEN RILEY
Narrator: CHRIS MOORE
Ulster Aviation Society Production © 2013
Short SB4 Sherpa Ulster Aviation Society Lisburn
I'm down at the massive hanger and all things repated to aircraft Ulster aviation society premises outside Lisburn.
Here is a unique aeroplane. It is the Short SB4 Sherpa.
Short SB4 Sherpa
In 1947 Shorts submitted a bomber design to meet the V-bomber requirement B.35/46 for the best possible performance at the highest altitude. The design (PD.1) was essentially the Short Sperrin fuselage with a new tail and what was described as an 'aeroisoclinic wing'. Handley Page and Avro's designs for the requirement were both accepted and contracts were received to build small-scale powered prototypes to explore the handling characteristics. Shorts decided to keep up to speed with their own concept at their own expense and set about constuction of a one third scale glider of the PD.1 called the SB.1. The aircraft was also the first to be wholly designed and built in Belfast after Shorts transfer from Rochester and construction was to be as inexpensive as possible.
With the damage to the SB.1 assessed and the wing and tail found to be repairable a decision was made to continue the project. Tom Brooke Smith however objected to making any further flights in the machine as a glider, so a new fuselage was designed incorporating two Turbomeca Palas turbojets mounted to the rear of the wing, and a fixed tricycle undercarriage was also added.
The rebuilt monoplane now designated SB.4 was flown at Aldergrove on October 4th 1953. Although limited to 250mph and 5000ft altitude the aircraft demonstrated good handling qualities and the following year was was demostrated at the S.B.A.C show at Farnborough under the new name Sherpa, an acronym of 'Short & Harland Experimental Research Prototype Aircraft', and also maybe a reference to the then recent conquest of Everest.
Throughout its test program, results were analysed and information aquired, but the concept probably proved to be slightly dissapointing in practice, and manufacturers were learning how to build conventional wings that behaved satisfactorily at high sub-sonic mach numbers. There were several further aero-isoclinical proposals from Shorts, one for the Supermarine Swift with an aeroisoclinical wing, and a design for the NA.39 Naval Stike Bomber. A requirement that was eventually won by the Blackburn Buccaneer.
The concept of the 'aero-isoclinic' was a swept wing in which the angle of incidence would remain constant from root to tip. It's most striking feature however was that the wing tips comprising of about one-fith of the total wing area, could pivot and acted as the control surfaces.
In July 1951 the SB.1 was taken to Aldergrove for it's initial flights, to be towed by a Short Sturgeon aircraft. On the second flight the whole program suffered a setback when the glider piloted by Tom Brooke-Smith, was forced to cast-off the tow line before gaining much height and crashed on the runway. Tom Brooke-Smith was injured and resumed flying six months later. For the SB.1 however, with the fuselage a total wreck it's chances for becoming airborne again probably seemed slim.
On completion of the Flight test program in 1956 the Sherpa was given to the college of aeronautics at Cranfield for research and remained airworthy until 1964 when the engines became time expired. It was then transferred to the Bristol College of Advanced Technology as an instructional aircraft, and in May 1966 was presented to the Skyfame Aircraft Museum at Staverton.
When Skyfame closed in 1979 the fuselage found it's way to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. The three parts of the wing had by then unfortunately gone missing, and the fuselage remained in storage there for many years until it was decided to restore it, with the work being undertaken by the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS) based in Rochester. In 2001 MAPS put out a request to any organisations that might be able to supply them with a pair or Turbomeca Palas engines and by chance the original Palas engines from the Sherpa had been stored at Shorts Belfast for many years before being donated to the Ulster Aviation Society. Several phone calls and a few months later an RAF Puma from 230 Squadron Aldergrove arrived at Langford Lodge to collect the Engines and take them to Rochester for installation in the restored Sherpa.
With restoration work complete the aircraft was then offered on long term loan to the Ulster Aviation Society by the IWM, and joined the Ulster Aircraft Collection, at Long Kesh in 2008.
Ulster Aviation Society visit by Orangefield Presbyterian Ch MOB
Sorry about the video quality. I am a complete amateur and this was all videoed at a rush. In the circumstances it was the best I could do.
After checking out the Ulster Aviation Society website, 47 men from our MOB group at Orangefield Presbyterian Church, met up at the former WWII airfield at Long Kesh, Halftown Road, 1 mile or so from Sprucefield, Lisburn a few miles down the road from Belfast. We had arrived for a rearranaged, pre booked, £5 guided tour of the Societies massive aircraft hanger. This hanger was literally stuffed with aircraft/helicopters/lorries most with a local connection. This fascinating tour lasted 2 hours and the time rolled in very easily. ( Wear warm clothing because it is cold in the hangers.)
If you are interested in the local history of flight, radio, engines, N Irelands' contribution to the 2nd WWar and beyond, or you just like looking at real aircraft of all descriptions and even being allowed to climb on board, then this is a must do visit.
Trip highlights- the replica Spitfire, the Phantom, the Buccaneer, the Wessex helicopter, the Warbird WildCat, the Canberra, and the Shorts 330. Also the fact that the trip is dekliverd by passionate guys who actually salvage these aircraft by working on them as a labour of love.
Ulster Aviation Society - Open Day Highlights
Ulster Aviation Society – Open Day Highlights features just some of the many types of helicopter which have visited over the past three Open Days. Featured in this video are the Robinson R44, Westland Seaking, RAF Gazelle, RAF Puma, Eurocopter, Hughes 500, Sikorsky, Agusta Westland and the Bell 47.
Musical entertainment was provided by The Swing Gals and a fantastic Silver Band.
Other Out and About videos can be viewed at
Canberra PR-9 arrives at Ulster Aviation Society
The Heritage Lottery Fund purchase of the Shorts Canberra PR.9 was a watershed in the Ulster Aviation Society's history. This documentary gives a history and shows the journey and installation of the mighty Shorts bomber into the main hangar at Maze Long Kesh, and the event to mark its arrival.
PHANTOM FG.1 007 documentary F-4 move from Leuchars to UAS
20-minute documentary about the Ulster Aviation Society's Phantom FG.1 007 (was XT864) acquisition from RAF Leuchars in Scotland, its subsequent disassembly and transportation to their hangars in Lisburn, Northern Ireland; then re-assembly, restoration, and new paint scheme in fabulous Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm) colours as Phantom 007. Phantom F-4K.
Production Editor: Mark J. Cairns © 2017
Writer & Director: Stephen Riley © 2017
Ulster Aviation Society is a charitable association. N. Ireland Charity No. NIC100128
Canberra PR9 moving to UAS Maze Long Kesh in 1993
Peter Cooper filmed the day in 1993 when the Short Canberra PR.9 came to Ulster Aviation Society's new hangars at Maze Long Kesh, Lisburn, Northern Ireland.
Production Editor: PETER COOPER
Copyright © 1993 Peter Cooper
Puma helicopter Ulster Aviation Society
I'm at the Ulster Aviation socity hanger down outside Lisburn and here is a Puma helicopter.
I'm not sure whether this is a Aérospatiale SA 330 RAF HC1 Puma or a Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma. I suspect it is the former.
The Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally built by Sud Aviation of France, and continued to be made by Aérospatiale. It was also license-built in Romania as the IAR 330; an advanced, unlicensed derivative, the Atlas Oryx, was made in South Africa. The Puma was a commercial success and was quickly developed into more advanced models such as the AS332 Super Puma and AS532 Cougar, manufactured by Eurocopter since the early 1990s. These descendants of the Puma remain in production in the 21st century.
Role Utility helicopter
National origin France
Manufacturer Aérospatiale
First flight 15 April 1965
Introduction 1968
Status Active service
Primary users French Army
Royal Air Force
Romanian Air Force
Lebanese Air Force
Produced 1968–87
Number built 697
Variants IAR 330
Atlas Oryx
Developed into Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma
Denel Rooivalk
The Puma has seen combat in a range of theatres by a number of different operators; significant operations include the Gulf War, the South African Border War, the Portuguese Colonial War, the Yugoslav Wars, the Iraq War, and the Falklands War. The type also saw popular use in the civilian field and has been operated by a number of civil operators.
The first two Pumas for the Royal Air Force were delivered on 29 January 1971, with the first operational squadron (33 Squadron) forming at RAF Odiham on 14 June 1971. The RAF would order a total of 48 Puma HC Mk 1 for transport duties; during the Falklands War, an additional SA 330J formerly operated by Argentine Naval Prefecture was captured by British forces.[53] The Puma became a common vehicle for British special forces, such as the SAS, and has been described as being good for covert tasks. RAF Pumas have been based early on at RAF Odiham, and later at RAF Benson; during The Troubles it was also common for a detachment to be based in Northern Ireland as well. In British service, the Puma has seen active duty in Belize, Venezuela, Iraq, Yugoslavia, and Zaire. Britain has frequently dispatched Pumas on disaster relief and humanitarian missions, such as during the 2000 Mozambique flood and the 1988 Jamaican flash flood; and to conduct peacekeeping operations in regions such as Zimbabwe and the Persian Gulf.
During the climax of the First Gulf War, the Puma proved decisive in rapidly mobilizing and deploying troops to prevent Iraqi troops intending to sabotage the Rumaila oil field. From the beginning of the Iraq War, between 2003 and 2009, RAF Pumas would be used to provide troop mobility across the theatre
FAIREY GANNET Ulster Aviation Society
I'm at the Ulster Aviation Society aircraft hanger outside Lisburn.
This is a Fairey Gannet aeroplane.
It was noted for its' distinctive double folding wing.
Used during the Cold war perod as a submarine tracker and destroyer. This one was based at Eglington.
The Fairey Gannet was a British carrier-borne aircraft of the post-Second World War era developed for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA) by the Fairey Aviation Company. It was a mid-wing monoplane with a tricycle undercarriage and a crew of three, and a double turboprop engine driving two contra-rotating propellers. The Gannet was originally developed to meet the FAA's dual-role anti-submarine warfare and strike requirement. It was later adapted for operations as an electronic countermeasures and carrier onboard delivery aircraft. The Gannet AEW was a variant of the aircraft developed as a carrier-based airborne early warning platform.
Hangar Happenings 001 - PUMA Helicopter prepared for Portrush Air Waves airshow
In preparation for Portrush Air Waves 2018 airshow at the start of September, the Ulster Aviation Society' volunteers took out the big helicopters through the small, roller door at hangar 1.
Here, our mighty PUMA HELICOPTER XW222 is towed gently behind a vintage Ferguson TEA-20 Tractor by hangar volunteer, John Weir into our compound for a test lift by haulier in lieu of the journey to the North coast. Aided by Ray Spence, the late Harry Munn, Alan Chowney and Alec Phillps.
'Hangar Happenings' will show short insights into the enthusiam, dedication, skill, care and the pace of life at the Ulster Aviation Society in Maze Long Kesh, Lisburn.
More information from:
Production Editor: MARK J. CAIRNS
Copyright Ulster Aviation Society © 2018
Ulster Aviation Society is a charitable association. N. Ireland. Charity No. NIC100128
WW2 Grumman F4F WildCat at Ulster Aviation Society
Here we have a Grumman F4F Wildcat from WW2. It is a true WarBird.
Ray Burrows chairman of the Ulster Aviation Society and our tour guide here says that this airoplane is the museums' most important asset.
Role Fighter aircraft
National origin United States
First flight 2 September 1937
Introduction December 1940
Retired 1945
Primary users United States Navy
United States Marine Corps
Royal Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
Number built 7,885
This actual plane flew and fought in the 2nd W War. Ray can fill you in on the story when you visit. Living history at its' finest.
The Grumman F4F Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft that began service with both the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy (as the Martlet) in 1940. One of the main features of the F4F-4 were the Sto-Wing-design folding wings, a Grumman patented design. First used in combat by the British in Europe, the Wildcat was the only effective fighter available to the United States Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater during the early part of World War II in 1941 and 1942; the disappointing Brewster Buffalo was withdrawn in favor of the Wildcat and replaced as units became available. With a top speed of 318 mph (512 km/h), the Wildcat was still outperformed by the faster 331 mph (533 km/h), more maneuvrable and longer ranged Mitsubishi A6M Zero. But the F4F's ruggedness, coupled with tactics such as the Thach Weave, resulted in an air combat kill-to-loss ratio of 5.9:1 in 1942 and 6.9:1 for the entire war.
Lessons learned from the Wildcat were later applied to the faster F6F Hellcat. While the Wildcat had better range and maneuvrability at low speed, the Hellcat could rely on superior power and high speed performance to outperform the Zero. The Wildcat continued to be built throughout the remainder of the war to serve on escort carriers, where larger and heavier fighters could not be used.
'I would still assess the Wildcat as the outstanding naval fighter of the early years of World War II ... I can vouch as a matter of personal experience, this Grumman fighter was one of the finest shipboard aeroplanes ever created.
— Eric M. Winkle Brown, British test pilot
IRA East Tyrone Brigade Tet offensive against RUC & Army barracks December 1985 & January 1986
The early stages of the IRA's Tet offensive in East Tyrone & North Armagh against British Army & RUC Barracks. The campaign began on 7 December 1985 with a guerrilla attack on Balleygawley barracks which was totally destroyed by an IRA bomb placed inside the barracks when an IRA unit took over the station & 2 RUC killed. Four days later on 11 December the same unit mortared RUC Tynan barracks in Tyrone injuring 4 RUC officers. On the 19 December Castlederg RUC barracks in Tyrone was wrecked by a mortar shell injuring 7 RUC officers. On the 1 January 1986 the IRA killed 2 RUC officers in a booby-trap bomb attack in Thomas Street, Armagh. Plus Ian Paisley has a few words for Maggie.
Visit to Ulster Aviation Society museum
QAVS 2min Ceremony only - Ulster Aviation Society 50th Dinner - Sept 2018
The TLDW (Too Long Didn't Watch) 2-mins version that just shows UAS Chairman, Ray Burrows receiving the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Crystal, and Tour Guide Co-Ordinator/Ex-Chairman, Ernie Cromie receiving the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Citation from the Lord Lieutenant of County Down, Mr David Lindsay, at the UAS 50th Founders Night Dinner, at the Island Hall, Lagan Valley Island Lisburn on Saturday 29th September, 2018.
The full 30mins ceremony including speeches is also available here:
Production Editor: MARK J. CAIRNS
Video Copyright Ulster Aviation Society © 2019
Ulster Aviation Society is a charitable association. N. Ireland. Charity No. NIC100128
Copyright Ulster Aviation Society © 2019
Ulster Aviation Society is a charitable association. N. Ireland Charity No. NIC100128
Sponsored by: Woodgate Aviation, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Belfast International Airport.
Hunting Jet Provost T3A XM414 Ulster Aviation Society
I'm at the Ulster aviation Society hanger just outside Lisburn and here we have a Jet Provost T3A XM414
Designed from the outset as an 'ab initio' trainer to replace the piston-engined Provost from which it was developed, the Jet Provost served with the RAF in three different 'Marks' i.e. the 3, 4 and 5. the latter having a completely redisigned nose and pressurised cockpit.
It was a side-by-side two seat trainer powered by a single Bristol Siddeley Viper 102 turbojet rated at 1750 lbs thrust. It was developed as a private venture and was first flown on 26th June 1954.
Eight Mark 1's were ordered for evaluation, the last machine serving as the prototype Mk2. however, the Mk3 version was the first to be ordered in quantity and eventually some 200 aircraft were ordered to equip the RAF's Flying Training Schools.
Later in its career whenever Hunting became part of the British Aircraft Corporation - BAC developed the type into a multi-role combat aircraft known as the 'Strikemaster' and enjoyed considerable overseas sales in Saudi Arabia, South Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, Botswana, Singapore, Kenya, New Zealand, Ecuador and Sudan.
XM414 finished its operational service with No. 7 FTS based at Church Fenton in Yorkshire in 1988 after which it was sent to No. 1 School of Technical Training at Halton where it received the Maintenance Number 8996M. It remained at Halton for a number of years until it was purchased by Castlereagh Borough Council for a project known as The Flight Experience Workshop (The FEW). When the project folded XM414 went into storage at the Castlereagh Hills Golf Club premises.
In 2003 the UAS was approached by Castlereagh Borough Council and asked if it would be prepared to look after the aircraft on 'long-term' loan, the aircraft having been on loan ever since.
XM414 still carries the markings of its last service with the RAF, No.7 FTS.
IRA Lisburn Charity Run Attack (1988)
On 15 June 1988 an unmarked military van carrying six British Army soldiers was blown up by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (Provisional IRA) at Market Square in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. The explosion took place at the end of a charity marathon run in which the soldiers had participated. All six soldiers were killed in the attack - four outright, one on his way to hospital and another later on in hospital.
Lisburn hosted the headquarters of the British Army in Northern Ireland. Four of the dead were from the Royal Signals regiment whilst the other two were from the Green Howards and Royal Army Ordnance Corps regiments respectively. A booby-trap bomb was hidden under the Ford Transit van in which the soldiers were travelling, and was designed in such a way that the blast had gone upwards to cause maximum damage to the vehicle. Eleven civilian bystanders were injured, including a two-year-old child and 80-year-old man.
Short SA.4 Sperrin British Bomber
The Short SA.4 Sperrin (named after the Sperrin Mountains) was a British jet bomber design of the early 1950s, built by Short Brothers and Harland of Belfast. It first flew in 1951. From the onset, the design had been viewed a fall-back option in case the more advanced strategic bomber aircraft, then in development to equip the Royal Air Force's nuclear-armed V bomber force, experienced delays; the Sperrin was not put into production because these swept-wing designs, such as the Vickers Valiant, were by then available.
As their usefulness as an interim bomber aircraft did not emerge, a pair of flying prototypes were instead used to gather research data on large jet aircraft and to support the development of other technologies, such as several models of jet engines. The two aircraft completed were retired in the late 1950s and ultimately scrapped sometime thereafter.
Ulster Aviation Society Buccaneer delivery flight
Description
Delivery of the Ulster Aviation Society Buccaneer to Langford Lodge in April 1994, flight time 94 seconds.