FlyPast 03.2018

March 2018 FLYPAST 75

Behind the scenes

A structure used by Yorkshire

Water as a garage for its vehicle

fleet has been turned into a

versatile workshop and store for

the museum. During my visit, Bristol

Sycamore HR.14 XE317 was being

worked on. A bespoke jig had been

created to allow the helicopter’s

tail boom to be rotated, greatly

enhancing access while maximising

floor space.

A number of shipping containers

hold airframes, engines,

sections and parts

pending restoration when time

permits.

When the Doncaster site was first

occupied by SYAM, the volunteers

could not have envisaged filling all

the buildings and the hard-standing

areas. The collection has since

expanded so much that they could

easily make use of an area twice

the size.

Inside some of the containers

around the complex are a Percival

Prentice, a DH Venom and the

gondola from 1976-built Skyship

500 airship G-BECE. Talking of the

stores, Alan Beattie smiled and said

that SYAM has: “Lots and lots of

other bits!”

The museum occasionally stages

‘back lot’ tours, allowing visitors

access to the workshop and an

insight into its rarely seen gems.

Rotary club

Inside the main hangar, it becomes

apparent that the volunteers

have tried to incorporate as many

displays as possible in the space

available, but it does not feel

over-crowded. When the group

took occupation of the site they

discovered a metal-framed building

that had been erected inside the

hangar. There was much discussion

about this, but the temptation to

rip it down and

March 2018FLYPAST 75

worked on. A bespoke jig had been

created to allow the helicopter’s

tail boom to be rotated, greatly

enhancing access while maximising

floor space.

A number of shipping containers

hold airframes, engines,

sections and parts

have tried to incorporate as many

displays as possible in the space

available, but it does not feel

over-crowded. When the group

took occupation of the site they

discovered a metal-framed building

that had been erected inside the

hangar. There was much discussion

about this, but the temptation to

rip it down and

“The original monoplane, fl own by Frenchman Léon Delagrange, established a

world speed record of 49.9mph (80.3km/h) during his time at Doncaster”

Above left
The magnifi cent Blériot replica, prior to its
installation in the ‘Early Aviation Hall’.

Top
Whirlwind HAR.1 XA870 in the colours of
Antarctic ice patrol ship HMS ‘Protector’.

Top right
Part of the display room prepared by the
Yorkshire Helicopter Preservation Group.
The largest model is of the Fairey Rotodyne
compound transport helicopter of
1 9 5 7.

Above

Building 21 contains a host of aircraft

cockpits including a Valetta, Pup, Jet

Provost, HS.125, Beverley and (right)

Jetstream.

Above right

Part of the Great War exhibition in Building

21.

Below

Falklands combat veteran Scout AH.1 XV139

on its ‘cairn’. The SAMA memorial is to the

right.

The largest model is of the Fairey Rotodyne

Above

Building 21 contains a host of aircraft

cockpits including a Valetta, Pup, Jet

Provost, HS.125, Beverley and (right)

Jetstream.

Above right

Part of the Great War exhibition in Building

21.

Below

Falklands combat veteran Scout AH.1 XV139

on its ‘cairn’. The SAMA memorial is to the

right.

Above

Building 21 contains a host of aircraft

cockpits including a Valetta, Pup, Jet

Provost, HS.125, Beverley and (right)

Jetstream.

Above right

Part of the Great War exhibition in Building

21.

Falklands combat veteran Scout AH.1 XV139

on its ‘cairn’. The SAMA memorial is to the

right.