Westland Lynx - ZB500/G-LYNX

[Julien]

Westland Lynx, ZB500/G-LYNX, C/n. 102. Following initial orders placed for the Lynx AH Mk.1 by the Army Air Corps and the Qatar government, Westland built their own demonstrator and trials aircraft. Built in 1978 at Yeovil, Somerset as a 9-seat military battlefield attack-utility helicopter powered by two LHTEC T800 turboshaft engines, it first flew on 18th May 1979 and continued to carry the civil registration for non-military demonstration flights. Following these flights it was stored for two years, before being reworked in mid 1986 for an attempt on the Helicopter World Speed Record. On completion of the modification work G-LYNX was flown again on 1st August 1986 and, following several trial runs, made the actual record attempt on 11th August over a measured 15 km (9.3 mile) route on the Somerset levels. The final speed, verified by the FAI, was 400.87 kph (249.09 mph) a 9% increase over the previous record. In 1991 the aircraft was modified for flight tests but by mid 1992 the helicopter was again placed in storage. Following an approach from the Helicopter Museum in late 1994, Westland agreed to transfer the aircraft for display and it was moved from storage to the museum on 19th January 1995. G-LYNX remains the World Speed Record holder today.Info from The Helicopter Museum Pics mine.