The Bristol Type 171 Sycamore is an early helicopter developed and built by the helicopter division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. The name refers to the seeds of the sycamore tree, Acer pseudoplatanus, which fall with a rotating motion.[2] It has the distinction of being the first British helicopter to receive a certificate of airworthiness, as well as being the first British-designed helicopter to be introduced by and to serve with the Royal Air Force (RAF).[2]
Typically capable of seating up to three passengers, the type was often used as a transport for both passengers and cargo alike. In RAF service, the Sycamore was normally used in the search and rescue and casualty evacuation roles. The type proved the value of rotorcraft to easily traverse inhospitable or otherwise inaccessible terrain; the Sycamore made valuable contributions to British military activities during the Malayan Emergency, the Cyprus Emergency, and the Aden Emergency, in addition to other operations.
In addition to its British military service, various models of the Sycamore were produced and operated by a number of users, including overseas military operations and civil customers. Civilian operations typically involved transportation, mountain rescue, and aerial survey work. In 1959, production of the Sycamore ended after 180 rotorcraft had been completed.[1]
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The Bristol Type 171 Sycamore is an early helicopter developed and built by the helicopter division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. The name refers to...
he acquired his first complete helicopter, a BristolSycamore Mk.3. In 1974, ap Rees purchased a Bristol Belvedere and formed a volunteer group to restore...
were recovered by divers and sold for scrap. On 15 December 1955, RAF BristolSycamore helicopter XG501, crewed by Flight Sergeant P. A. Beart and Sergeant...
1972, and an Aérospatiale Gazelle, Westland Scout, Westland Lynx, BristolSycamore, the Saunders-Roe Skeeter, and a replica of the rotabuggy. The exhibit...
RAF Valley. 15 February 1955 - June 1955 - HQ at RAF Thorney Island BristolSycamore HC.12 'A' Flight June 1955 - June 1956 - HQ at RAF Thorney Island Westland...
aircraft, of which 440 were jet-powered. The flypast was led by a BristolSycamore helicopter which was towing a large RAF Ensign, while the final aircraft...
under the wings of the Sunderland flying boat. Bentley BR2 Bristol Jupiter Bristol Mercury Bristol Hercules XVIII Curtiss OX-5 Daimler-Benz DB 605 Gnome Monosoupape...
Squadron from the deck of HMS Theseus, and six each Whirlwinds and BristolSycamore HC.12s and HC.14s off HMS Ocean's embarked Joint Experimental Helicopter...
Ansett-ANA helicopter division operated the Bell 47J Ranger, Bell 206, BristolSycamore, Sikorsky S-61 and Sikorsky HH-52 Seaguard. Ansett Worldwide Aviation...
launched its first combat sorties three days later, when 8 Squadron sent nine Bristol Blenheims to bomb an airfield at Assab in Italian Eritrea, across the Red...
was the base of "B" Flight, No. 275 (Air Sea Rescue) Squadron flying BristolSycamore HR.14. helicopters. In April 1956 the airfield was selected as the...
helicopters from No. 22 Squadron. The flight was initially equipped with the BristolSycamore until their replacement by the Whirlwind HAR.10 in 1955 which in turn...