Image: 100 years of the RAF MOD 45163720

Size of this preview: 788 × 599 pixels. Other resolutions: 316 × 240 pixels | 5,500 × 4,184 pixels.

Original image ‎(5,500 × 4,184 pixels, file size: 8.89 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg)

Description: A Sycamore helicopter of 103 Squadron based at Nicosia, Cyprus, flies over St Hilarian Castle near Kyrenia on the north of the island in July 1961. The Bristol Type 171 Sycamore was an early helicopter developed and built by the helicopter division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. The name refers to the seeds of the Sycamore tree, which fall with a rotating motion. It has the distinction of being the first British helicopter to receive a certificate of airworthiness, as well as being the first British-designed helicopter to be introduced by and to serve with the Royal Air Force (RAF). Typically, capable of seating up to three passengers, the type was often used as a transport for both passengers and cargo alike. In RAF service, the Sycamore was normally used in the search and rescue and casualty evacuation roles operations. The type saw combat service with the RAF during the Cyprus Emergency where it provided air mobility to the security forces and the Aden Emergency, in addition to other operations. In December 1971, the last of the RAF's Sycamores were officially retired. Some of these images have had some dodging and burning done and have been retouched to remove detritus and dust and scratch marks only* Organization: RAF Object Name: CMP-1169 Category: MOD Supplemental Categories: Aircraft, Equipment, People, Historic Keywords: Cyprus, Bristol Sycamore, Helicopter, Black and White, B&W, Cold War Era, Historic Aircraft, RAF, Royal Air Force, Historic, Equipment, Aircraft, RAF Nicosia, RAF 100 Country: Cyprus
Title: 100 years of the RAF MOD 45163720
Credit: Photo http://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/fwbin/download.dll/45153802.jpg Metadata source: http://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/fwbin/fotoweb_isapi.dll/ArchiveAgent/5042/Search?FileInfo=1&MetaData=1&Search=45163720.jpg
Author: Air Historical Branch-RAF
Permission: Images are downloadable at high resolution, made available at http://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk for reuse under the OGL (Open Government License).
Usage Terms: Open Government License version 1.0
License: OGL v1.0
License Link: http://NationalArchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/1/
Attribution Required?: Yes

Image usage

The following 2 pages link to this image:

All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise.