Is there a helicopter museum in England, and if so can you give me its details I d like to visit over Easter.

Asks martin

A. Yes there is only one in England and it is in Weston Super Mare. Its address is: The Helicopter Museum, Weston Super Mare, Somerset BS22 8PP. Telephone: 01934-635227. Website: www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk

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Q. Is the museum open over Easter

A. Yes it is open all year round from Wednesday to Sunday, and daily throughout Easter and the school summer holidays. From November to March it is open from 10am-4pm, and from April to October it is open from 10am-6pm. It is closed on 25 and 26 December, and on New Year's Day.

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Q. How much does it cost to get in

A. Admission charges are �3.75 for adults and �2.75 for children over 5. Under 5's are admitted free of charge. Senior citizens are admitted for �3.25. Family tickets are also available and cost �11 per day (for 2 adults and 2 children).

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The museum also has a children's play area, caf� and gift shop.

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Q. What does the museum's collection of helicopters consist of

A. It is the largest museum of its kind in the world, with a huge collection of helicopters from international locations.

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The current collection consists of over 80 helicopters. The exhibition is split into four sections: British, Eastern European, European and American helicopters.

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The British section includes the following helicopters:

Campbell Cougar, G-BAPS, C/n. CA.6000 (donated in 1978); Cierva Rotorcraft Grasshopper III, G-AWRP, C/n. GB-1. (dates back to 1969 and acquired by the museum in 1993; Watkinson CG-4, BAPC128 (completed and donated in 1977); and the Murray M-1, BAPC60 (built in 1954 and donated in 1995).

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The Eastern European section includes the following helicopters:

Kamov Ka-26 "Hoodlum", D-HOAY, C/n. 7001309 (built in the Soviet Union in 1973, it has been recently restored and will be back on display throughout 2002); Mil Mi-4 "Hound", 9147, C/n. 09147 (another Soviet aircraft that dates back to 1951, it was purchased by the museum in 1992); and the WSK-Swidnik SM-2, 05 (built in 1961 in Poland, purchased by the museum in 1991).

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The European section includes the following helicopters:

Bolkow Bo.102 Helitrainer, D-HMQV, C/n. 6216. (Built in Germany in 1960, acquired by the museum in 1981); and the Sud Aviation SA321F Super Frelon, F-BTRP, C/n. 116. (Built in 1967, donated in 1991.

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The American section includes the following helicopters:

Bell 47H, G-AZYB, C/n. 1538 (built in 1956); Brantly B.2B, G-OAPR, C/n. 446 (built in 1965, purchased by the museum in 1989) and the Piasecki HUP-3 Retriever, RCN 622/51-16622,C/n. 51. (Built in 1954, donated in 1991).

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New additions to the museum for 2002 include the Sue Cullum Toy Helicopter Collection, the Royal Helicopters used by the Queen, Interactive talk boxes in three languages; and surf aviation websites in the Internet Corner.

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Q. Does the Helicopter Museum have anything else to offer the visitor throughout the summer

A. The museum also hosts a number of special events throughout the year. These include:

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(a) Pleasure flights - available at 12.30 on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday - and on the following days throughout the year: 5 & 6 May (Bank Holiday); 2 & 3 June (Bank Holiday); 7, 14, 21 and 28 August; 18 August, 25 & 26 August (Bank Holiday); 29 December (Christmas Special).

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(b) Open cockpit days are held on the second Sunday of each month - these give visitors the chance to access the cockpits and controls of selected helicopters - and have it all explained by an experienced guide. Open Cockpits will run from 10am-6pm on 10 March, 14 April, 12 May, 9 June, 14 July, 11 August, 8 September and 13 October.

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(c) Flight Simulation Show - 28 April 2002. From 10am-4pm. This event will allow you to fly a PC-based helicopter.

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(d) Helidays - three day fly-in over the seafront at Weston Super Mare, with exhibition flights featuring military and civilian aircraft. 27-29 July 2002.

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Q. How long has the museum been open

A. Officially as a public museum since 1978, but the collection was initially started by the aviation writer and historian Elfan Ap Rees in 1969 when he began to build up a collection of rotorcraft documentation and artefacts. He acquired his first complete helicopter in the same year, a Bristol Sycamore Mk.3.

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The museum moved to Weston Airfield in the early 1980s, and became a limited company and registered charity in 1981. In 1988 it signed an agreement with Westland Helicopters for the current site of a permanent museum, consisting of 4.5 acres of land on the south-eastern edge of the airfield. This site was officially opened in 1989 by Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

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By Karen Anderson