Westland Lynx AH.7

First flying in 1971, the Westland Lynx to this day holds the international speed record for a helicopter at 249.09mph, new designs have gone faster but are not classed as a traditional helicopter. The landing skid equipped version of the Lynx entered service with the Army Air Corps in 1979 as the AH.1 and were regularly upgraded into the AH.7. The AH.7 served as the Army’s anti-tank helicopter for the latter half of the cold war and throughout the 1990s, seeing service in both Gulf Wars. The Lynx AH.7 was replaced in the anti-tank role in 2005 by the Apache and was eventually retired from support roles in August 2015.

Headquartered in Somerset, Historic Helicopters were founded to preserve, protect and operate a unique fleet of historic military helicopters. Their fleet includes the Wessex and Lynx AH7 XZ616. XZ616 was retired from military use 2015 after serving with 657 Squadron Army Air Corps since its delivery. XZ616 successfully flew again during January 2021.

Historic Helicopters will be brining XZ616 to RAF Fairford to provide support for the show over the weekend and will not be on static display.

Photo Credit: Tom Jones