Westland 30 Series 100

Registration: G-BKGD/G-BKBJ
Country of origin: UK
Built: Yeovil, England, 1979
Manufacturer: Westland Helicopters
Constructor's Number: 2
Engine: Two 1135shp Rolls-Royce Gem 41-1 turboshaft engines

Type: Civil transport helicopter

Note: Delivered to British Airways Helicopters for trials and operated in the North Sea for offshore oil and gas rig support and by British International Helicopters on the Penzance / Scilly Isles ferry service. On display outside the Helicopter Museum building..

Details: The WG-30 marked a concerted effort by Westland to enter the civil helicopter market, using the engines and rotor system of the Lynx to save development costs, married to a new boxy fuselage able to carry 17-20 passengers.

Production of 40 aircraft was initiated, but high operating costs, a lack of power and short range made the design unattractive. This led to a serious financial and political crisis, known as the 'Westland Affair' in 1985-86, before production was abandoned in 1988.

G-BKGD was the second WG-30 prototype, built at Yeovil and delivered to British Airways Helicopters (BAH) in October 1982. It was initially based at North Denes near Great Yamouth to service the gas drilling industry in the southern North Sea. It subsequently spent three years on the Penzance/Scilly Islands scheduled passenger service before being finally withdrawn from use in April 1993.

On transfer to The Helicopter Museum in 1995, G-BKGD was intended for use as an engine running demonstrator but remained in storage until 2010 when it was loaned to City of Bristol College, who conducted engineering training for a number of major companies within the aircraft industry

G-BKGD returned home to The Helicopter Museum on 30 July 2015 after five years on loan. It is currently displayed outside in front of The Helicopter Museum in British International Helicopter's colours.

Performance:
Max Speed: 222 kmh/138 mph
Empty Weight: 3167 kg/ (6982 lb)
Range: 750 km (466 miles)
Capacity/Load: 21 persons / 2435 kg (5368 lb)
Power: 2x 1,135 shp Rolls-Royce Gem 41.1 turboshafts