Last Friday the Wight Aviation Museum Team had the great pleasure of hosting a “Skeeter Presentation Lunch” for all those involved in the donation and preservation of the museum’s latest and largest display, a Skeeter Helicopter, XL765 which was used by the British Army as a two person aerial reconnaissance aircraft and was designed and built at Saunders-Roe, in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, in the 1950s.
Special guests
The special guests at the lunch were John Phillips and Adrian Brimson, who previously owned the Skeeter before donating it to WAM for preservation and display.
The WAM team, led by Jonathan Lamb and Paul Carey, have worked hard over the winter closed period to get the Skeeter ready for display.
Assisted by a number of volunteers
They were assisted by a number of volunteers. Of special mention should be Nigel Johnson who arranged the transport, which included a lorry from Steve Porter Transport to bring it from Melksham to Sandown, and Red Funnel for the ferry.
Also Pete Allen who built specially designed display frame, with steel donated by The Forge and his team Jon Fitness and Geoff White, from the Isle of Wight Bus Museum, who helped him to mount the Skeeter on it. Terry Ryan of White Eagle Signs did the lettering.
Island’s rich aviation heritage
Helen Blake, chair person of WAM enthused,
“The WAM team, along with the others, worked really hard to create an interesting and nostalgic display of the Skeeter, which looks just like it is actually taking off!
“It’s always great to be able to display an element of the Island’s rich aviation heritage in the museum.”
Visit the museum
Keep an eye on the WAM Website and the Sandown Airport Website for information about other events throughout the summer.
As usual the museum will be open to all visitors on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00 to 15:00 each day.
Find out more
For more information email “WAM Opening” to [email protected] or phone or text to 07949 704052 or visit our Website.
