The Lynx is a British multi-purpose Rolls-Royce twin engine military helicopter. It was designed and built by Westland Helicopters in Yeovil for both sea and land-based warfare. The Lynx prototype made its maiden flight on 21st March 1971. The naval Lynx flew close to five years later on 10th February 1976, going into operational usage in late 70’s as a fully agile aerobatic capable helicopter.
Early Army versions of the Lynx were equipped with skids whilst those used by the Navy were fitted with wheels for landing on decks of warships. The blade design incorporated a honeycomb sandwich structure made out of composite materials. The Lynx was said to be far easier to service and maintain than other comparable types.
The Lynx features a two-person cockpit for a pilot and observer, sat side by side with the addition of a third person as door gunner for the British Army. Behind the cockpit the cabin is accessed through two sliding doors either side of the fuselage, which can accommodate a maximum of ten people.
The Lynx had a diverse service career. Some were operated with the British Task Force during the Falklands War in 1982. Others moved troops to oil platforms in 1991 during Gulf War I. Some, were later used during the NATO peacekeeping intervention in Serbia and Kosovo; before later been sent to Afghanistan in 2014. The type retired from service on 23rd March 2017, following a final flypast by four Royal Navy Lynx helicopters from 815 Naval Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton.
Built back in 1978 with the code number WA033, this Lynx helicopter initially flew in the UK as a trails unit using the registration G-17-21. It was then purchased by the Qatar Ministry of Interior and delivered to the Qartari Police carrying the serial QP-31. The airframe was in store at Fleetlands, Hants for a number of years, where it was used as a training aid.
Westland Lynx HC.28 QP-31 arrived at the museum on 18th December 2018, after Hutchinson Engineering Services of Weston, Notts, completed the helicopter’s long-move north from its previous south coast location. The helicopter was generously donated to the museum by its former owner Andy Rawden.
This has always been a long-term rebuild project with parts being acquired from many different locations; this rebuild work continues as and when items become available
Photo credit: Jan McGeachie
