What is the world speed record for a helicopter?
A chopper was converted from Westland’s own Lynx AH.1 demonstrator to the only Lynx 800 in an attempt to break the helicopter world speed record. Carrying the registration G-LYNX, it broke the record on 11th August 1986 with a final speed of 249.09 mph (kmh). The Westland Lynx in question was specially modified to achieve the 400.55kmh speed, including special rotor blades (British Experimental Rotor Programme (BERP)) with flares at the tips, it was fitted with a WG-30 tailplane and even the exhaust of the two LHTEC T-800 turboshaft gas turbines were re-aligned to give the residual thrust in the correct direction, aiding forward speed. I believe it was even painted matt black (although I’m not sure why!).
