Gyrocopters Saved
A Campbell-Bensen B.8M gyrocopter, G-ASNY that has been on loan at the museum for more than fifteen (15) years was recently bequeathed to the museum in the will of the late gyrocopter collector, Roger Light. This complete airframe has been displayed in Hangar 1 since it arrived here in April 2009.
Additional actions by the museum trustees and its volunteers has also safeguarded a significant collection of other gyrocopter airframe structures, engines, parts and assorted spares.
During several visits to north-west England, the items have been carefully gathered together and moved into storage at the museum.
Work is already underway to sort the items out and to produce an inventory of what has been recovered. All items are in a good condition and early indications suggest that there are at least two nearly complete machines, with three additional main-frame structures.
The museum trustees have agreed with the executor of the Roger Light Estate that eventually these gyrocopters should be made available for disposal to other suitable aviation collections across the UK.