Helimeet in Eastleigh 3rd August 2008

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In 1948, the Cierva Skeeter was designed and built in Eastleigh in Hampshire and made her maiden flight here. The Cierva company moved on and became Saro and eventually Westlands. The Skeeter meanwhile, was the first British designed and built helicopter to enter service and  several “parts” were subsequently used in the Wasp and Scout. The design team can trace its lineage from the 1948 designs through to the modern day.

To commemorate this significant event in helicopter history, we are holding a “helimeet” on the 3^rd August at Fleming Park in Eastleigh and we have 4 skeeters attending (by road unfortunately) and a number of other helicopters flying in.

This will be a free, open event for members of the public to attend.

Timetable

• 09:30 Helicopter Arrivals
• 11:00 Formal Opening
• Black Knights Parachute Drop - time dependant on conditions
• Army Air Corp Band
• 16:00 Official handover of Skeeter to the Solent Skies Museum
• 16:30 Fly out

Helicopters attending so far

• Four of only 25 Skeeters left in the world now confirmed attending!!!
• Scout
• Wasp
• Sioux
• Alouette
• Bell Jet Ranger 
• MD500E
• Two R22's
• Gazelle
• Squirrel
• The Hampshire Air Ambulance
• Complete harrier cockpit for visitors to sit in

• Our thanks to our supporters below

• For more information contact helimeet@eastleigh.gov.uk
• How Helicopters work video!

Press Release 07/03/08 - Historical Hover Remembered

An Eastleigh built helicopter, the Skeeter, first flew from the Airport in 1948. It was used by the Army Air Corps as an observation helicopter, and by the Army throughout the 1950s.

To mark the diamond anniversary of its first flight the Council is organising a Helimeet with the Army Air Corps on Fleming Park on Sunday 3^rd August.  Three of the historic aircraft together with examples of more recent helicopters will be lined up on display.  See the next edition of the Borough News for more details of this fascinating event.