Once a familiar sight and sound in Hampshire’s skies, the Army Air Corps’ Westland Lynx AH7 was finally retired from service on 31st July 2015. This example, ZD280, has been loaned to Farnborough Air Sciences Trust.

The Lynx is a British multi-purpose twin-engined military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants. The Lynx went into operational usage in 1977 and was later adopted by the armed forces of over a dozen nations.

The Lynx is a fully aerobatic helicopter and is fitted with the RAE/Westland BERP (British Experimental Rotor Programme) blades. These blades are the world’s most advanced and enabled a specially modified Lynx to set the airspeed record for helicopters at 400.87km/h (249.09mph).

Technical Specifications

Crew : 2-3
Capacity : 8 troops
Length : 15.24m (50ft 0in)
Rotor Diameter : 12.8m (42ft 0in)
Height : 3.67m (12ft 0in)
Engine : 2 x LHTEC CTS800-4N turboshafts
Power : 1,016kw (1,362shp)
Maximum Speed : 324km/h (201mph)
Service Ceiling : 3,230m (10,600ft)
Empty Weight : 3,277kg (7,795lb)
Loaded Weight : 5,300kg (11,750lb)
Range : 528km (328 miles)