Westland Belvedere HC1 - RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK
N 51° 35.845 W 000° 14.263
30U E 691311 N 5719878
This Westland Belvedere HC1 helicopter is located in the "Historic Hangars" at the RAF Museum in Hendon, London.
Waymark Code: WMNJ3W
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/21/2015
Views: 3
The RAF Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm with admission being free. Car parking is available but there is a charge. The nearest underground station is Colindale about a 10-15 minute walk away or a number 303 bus passes both the tube station and museum. The co-ordinates posted are for the entrance to the "Milestones of Flight" hall/exhibition entrance.
The RAF Museum's website tells us about the Westland Belvedere:
The Belvedere was the Royal Air Force's first twin engined, twin rotor helicopter to enter service. During its operational service Great Britain began the slow and sometimes painful task of withdrawing from its Empire and this aircraft was involved in many of those operations in the Middle and Far East.
During it service life this aircraft served both in Singapore and then Aden before returning to Singapore. While operating in the more inaccessible parts of Borneo indigenous tribes nicknamed the Belvedere helicopter 'the Flying Long-house' as it so resembled their huts.
The history of this helicopter can be seen here.