This twin-rotor helicopter served the RAF between 1961 and 1969. Originally, the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy also planned on buying the type, but later abandoned those plans. Roles were troop transport, medevac, and flying crane. Only twenty-six were built; the type was regarded as clumsy and expensive. None the less, it was actually a capable aircraft, capable of night and bad weather flight. A special linkage in the transmission allowed the helicopter to make a safe descent in the event of one rotor failing.
The Belvedere was used during the evacuation of Aden, and proved invaluable during the “Malay Crisis” in Borneo. It also saw service in British protectorates in Africa.

Original Author: Jason W. Henson