The History of Westland Aircraft Limited

Bill McNaught


Region:
South East
Notice Period:
Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
Type:
Retirement hobby
Fee:
Paid: £45 plus modest travel expenses
Category:
History
Updated:
9th August 2018
Tagged:
Aviation | Flying | History

The history of Westland Aircraft covers the 70 years from its inception by ‘ironmongers’ Ernest and Percival Petter in 1915, though its fixed wing design and production period ending around 1948, and finally its far sighted decision to initiate helicopter production. It concludes with the infamous ‘Westland Affair of 1986 which has led to major changes in ownership. The talk will also include some of my own reminisces from 25 years with the company.

Views: 1274 | Enquiries: 4

About Bill McNaught

I started work in 1961 as a Westland Helicopters engineering apprentice spending 25 years with the company before moving on to manage a number of other aviation and defence companies. Following retirement in 2008 we moved back to the West Country but in 2014 moved again to Saltdean, just outside Brighton. I have worked for the Prince’s Trust, been Chair of Governors at a local Academy, and sat on numerous committees. Currently I am Vice President of the Probus Club of Seaford, Chair of the 5 Deans U3A. My other interests include genealogy and presenting talks on ‘fascinating historical characters’ which over the years I have given to a variety of organisations including Probus, the WI and U3A. All my talks are fully illustrated using powerpoint slides.


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