Members of the Team gave odd days to the project when they could, whether it was one day per week, one day every two weeks or one day per month, some eventually becoming so dedicated that they have gone on to form the Yorkshire Helicopter Preservation Group (YHPG) when a second helicopter was obtained on loan from the same source as the first two Dragonflys.
The aim of the group is to obtain and preserve Helicopters, compile an archive of manuals, books, memorabilia and also a store of parts for future projects.
At present the YHPG maintains the Dragonfly and is restoring two Whirlwind Mk 10’s, one of which is “live” and a Hydraulic Training Simulator.
Dragonfly Restoration Team; Ray “Mac” McElwain Owner and team leader
Mike Fitch Engineer 1995-1998
Jonathon Fitch “Apprentice” 1995-1997
Lee Norgate Instruments 1995
Steve Hague Engineer & Photographer 1995-1998
Alan Beattie Engineer 1997-1998
Dave Stewart Machining & Plating 1996-1998
Dave Merrikin Glazing 1998
Graham Breeze Engineer 1998
Ernie Cranston Engineer 1998
Many thanks go out to the businesses who sponsored the project by providing services and free materials.
If you would like to help the restoration efforts of the YHPG with funding, aircraft, parts, archive material or providing materials you can contact the Group on e-mail ; ray.mcelwain@talk21.com or write c/o Yorkshire Air Museum. Halifax Way, Elvington, York, England.
The Dragonfly Restoration Project has also helped to complete other Dragonflys by suppling FREE parts to, Aviodome Museum, Holland
The Helicopter Museum, Weston Super Mare, England.
Royal Navy, RNAS Portland, The first production model now in the FAA
Museum. (RAF owned) and
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. (World Naval Base)
The remaining parts are to be used as an exhibit at YAM (centre framework, engine, gearbox and rotor head display) and to help with the rebuild of a further Dragonfly, presently on hold for lack of volunteers (anyone local interested?), at the North East Aircraft Museum, Sunderland, England
Ray McElwain; Born; 6th October 1936, Isleworth, Middlesex
Educated; Blue School, Isleworth, Spring Grove Grammar and Smallberry
Green Secondary Modern School, Isleworth.
On leaving school at 15, worked in a small engineering factory for 9 months until joining B.O.A.C. at London Airport as a Messenger with Stratocruisers & Constellations Fleet,
January 1954 Joined the RNVR on 1840 Squadron, Channel Air Division as a Junior Naval Airman, Leaving the Navy as an NAM(E) 1 in 1957, returned to B.O.A.C. to continue trade training as an improver until qualifying as a Ground Engineer on Stratocruisers, Constellations, DC7C’s and Britannias (Engines).
On leaving BOAC became the first English man to be employed by Findus Frozen Foods in the UK.
From 1970 to 1996 was in the Silk Screen Printing and Sign business until selling out and retiring.
Other hobbies have included Scouting (from an early age), at one time becoming an Assistant District Commissioner (Air Activities), Long distance walking, Karate, often sitting on the British Karate Control Commission, Playing the Bagpipes with the Speedbird (British Airways) and Knightsbridge Pipe Bands, Flying (Private Pilots License), giving many young Scouts in the “Seventies” their first taste of flying, Cruising all the English Canals on a Narrowboat and is interested in Railways and the Industrial Heritage of Britain.
| Links:- | |
| YHPG | |
| Yorkshire Air Museum | |
| Chatham Dockyard | |
| The Helicopter Museum | |
| FAA Museum |