The South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum houses some very rare helicopters, albeit in cramped conditions making photography difficult. Only the ninth Whirlwind to be built by Westland, XA870 first flew in May 1954 and was initially allocated for RN service in the Far East but was found to be unsuitable. It then spent much of its service life in these colours aboard HMS Protector and was notable for the rescue of scientists from Roux Island in Antarctica in 1956. A few days after taking this shot I discovered the wrapper from the 1960s Airfix kit of XA870 during a clear-out, long since forgotten!

One of several aircraft resident at Lee-on-Solent with the Air Engineering School.

This Whirlwind was delivered in July 1954 and served mainly with the Royal Navy Ice Protector Ship HMS Endurance. After retirement it was used for ground instruction at Lee-on-Solent as A2543 and is now on display at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum/Aeroventure.

Seen in the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, Aeroventure which is well worth a visit