The Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton

A general view of Hall 1, it contains a display about the development of naval aviation from the early days of airships and fabric-covered wooden biplanes to modern jet aircraft and helicopters.

A replica of a Short S.27, an aircraft similar to this made the first take off from a moving ship in 1912.

Sopwith Baby N2078 built by the Sopwith Aviation Company in 1916.

Supermarine Walrus L2301 is a composite aircraft, constructed using the fuselage and engine of Walrus L2301. Built in 1939, this aircraft never flew in British military service. It was delivered to the Irish Air Corps, which flew it during World War 2, when it carried the Irish designation N.18. On 9 January 1942 N.18 was stolen by four Irish nationals who intended to fly to France to join the Luftwaffe. However, they were intercepted by RAF Spitfires and escorted to RAF St Eval; the aircraft and its occupants were returned to Ireland. It has been on display since 1964.

A more head on view of the Walrus with its wings folded back. and the single Bristol Pegasus VI 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 750 hp.

Westland Dragonfly HR5 VX595 is an early rescue helicopter built by nearby Westland under licence from Sikorsky based on their S-51. It was introduced in the Fleet Air Arm in 1950 and withdrawn in the late 1950's.

The very familiar shape of the Westland Wessex. This is a HU.5 variant XS508 and was used as a troop carrier and could carry 16 Royal Marines. The Wessex was introduced in 1961 and was retired in 2003 when the RAF finished flying them.

For storage on board ships the main rotors folded back. It was also used for search and rescue flights.

Three of the four helicopters in Hall 1 are in this view, the Lynx nearest, the Wessex and the Sea King.

Westland Lynx HAS.3 XZ699 is displayed with its main rotors folded back and the tail folded. The design was introduced in 1978 and retired by the Navy in 2017 and the Army in 2018.