Somerset has played an important part in the history of British aviation. Aircraft have been built in the county since the time of the First World War and the county’s airfields played an important part during the Second World War. The growth of Westland, at Yeovil and Weston Super Mare, has seen Somerset become a world-renowned centre for the design and construction of rotary-wing craft. Before their reliance on helicopters, Westland made such famous aircraft as the Lysander and Whirlwind, as well as the Wapiti and Wildebeast. Airports at Weston Super Mare and Whitchurch became important for passenger travel while the Royal Naval Air Service’s Yeovilton airfield is also home to the Fleet Air Arm Museum and Weston to the Helicopter Museum. In times past, the aviation industry was important to the county and today, while still important, aviation heritage brings many tourists to Somerset. Colin Cruddas tells the story in words and pictures of the airfields, manufacturers and aircraft that were made or flown over the county of Somerset.
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