Westland Centenary 2015

2015 marked the 100 Year Centenary of the Airfield at Westlands. On July the 12th Agusta Westland held a Friends and Family Day. Many of the buildings on site were open , including the flight shed and the AW101/189 and AW159 final assembly lines aswell other areas such as the transmissions Repair and Overhaul department and the Dynamic Composite Component so the families visiting got a real insight of the history and Day to Day goings on within the huge Agusta Westlad complex.

A wide range of westland Helicopters and Aircraft  were on show both static and in the air. 

From the Supermarine Spitfire and Sea Fire built at Westland in the 1940s through to Todays revolution Agusta Westland AW609 Tiltrotor. 

Where it all started

The Westland Aircraft Works were built due to the First World War and the need for naval aircraft. The first aircraft to be built at the Works was a Short 184 seaplane and left on January 1, 1916, by horse and cart. The fourth ever aircraft built at Westland, took part in the Battle of Jutland. It was piloted by Frederick Rutland from Weymouth ‘Rutland of Jutland’ and successfully reported by radio the movements of the German Fleet.

Several Westland Aircraft followed including the Westland Wapiti in 1927, Westand Dragonfly in 1948, Westland Whirlwind in 1952, Westland Scout  in 1960, Westland Sea King in 1969, Westland Lynx in 1971  and the EH ( AW) 101 in 1987. 

The last few Decades 

My Father started working at Westands in 1980. Its this connection why im interested in Aviation Today. Many Generations of the Pittman family have and still work at the Agusta Westland facility in Yeovil. Its this Westland facility and sub departments along with the nearby Naval Air Station at Yeovilton that keeps the Yeovil and surrounding area thriving.

I have witnessed in particular the EH101 Merlin progression from Pre Production testing right through to Today's exports.

Looking to the Future, Agusta Westland are starting to build the AW189 at Westland in Yeovil. 

This will be the 1st civil Aircraft to be built on site since 1987.

In the gallery below you can find a selection of photos from the friends and family Day.

d for naval aircraft. The first aircraft to be built at the Works was a Short 184 seaplane and left o