03/06/2026
June’s Helicopter Spotlight: The Westland Lynx 🚁
A British icon. Designed and built by Westland Helicopters, the Lynx first flew in 1971 and entered production in 1977.
It went on to serve the armed forces of over a dozen nations across anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, maritime attack, and battlefield utility roles.
A few things that make it stand out:
The Lynx was the world's first fully aerobatic helicopter. It could loop. It could roll. For a military helicopter, that was remarkable.
In 1986, a specially modified Lynx known as G-LYNX set the FAI absolute world speed record for helicopters at 400.87 km/h (249 mph) over the Somerset Levels. We think that record still stands today.
The Royal Navy formally retired its Lynx fleet on 23 March 2017, with a final flypast by four HMA.8 aircraft from 815 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton.
It’s been a key helicopter in our past too! Our MD Bobby, said: "The Lynx was a big part of my world during my time in the Royal Navy and a helicopter I will always love." A proper British helicopter. One that earned its strong reputation.