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Royal Hill, LISBURN, BT27 5UW

Houses on the Gravelhill Road near the Maqze Racecourse.

A minor road running from the Moira Road. The Gravelhill Road http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=62235978 is one of the roads leading to Down Royal racecourse Image (behind me).

One of the European Heritage events held in various locations in Northern Ireland WESSEX HC.2 Helicopter Manufacturer: Westland ​ Operating Life: 1964-1992 ​ Registration: XR517 Served with: 72 Sqn Northern Ireland, 60 Sqn The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under licence by Westland Aircraft (later Westland Helicopters), initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force. ​The Wessex was built at Westland's factory at Yeovil in Somerset.

One of the European Heritage events held in various locations in Northern Ireland Buccaneer S2B, XV361 The type was designed by the Blackburn company and first flown during the 1950s as the NA. 39, to meet a Royal Navy requirement for a strike aircraft to operate close to the speed of sound at very low level - hence its rugged construction. This particular example, XV361, was the last of a batch of 30 of the S.2 version ordered in 1966 and delivered in March 1968 to the RN where it served on HMS Eagle and HMS Ark Royal. In 1978 it was one of about 60 Buccaneers modified for service with the RAF where it was based at Lossiemouth in Scotland and employed in the anti-shipping role In 1983 it was one of six Buccaneers temporarily detached to Cyprus to support the Army on UN peacekeeping duties in Lebanon. The type eventually equipped five RAF squadrons. XV361 having served with Nos 12 and 208, when the RAF decided that the Buccaneer era was at an end, the No 15 Sqn marking was applied to XV361 in 1994 merely as part of the farewell celebrations. Subsequently XV361 was bought by the Society and flown to RAF Aldergrove on 5 April 1994 (from where it was planned to take it by road to join the aircraft collection at Langford Lodge) but 13 days later it was flown there. In the process a record was established, the flight of 92 seconds' duration being the shortest normal flight ever by a Buccaneer. Buccaneers were among the RAF aircraft deployed to Saudi Arabia in January 1991 to take part in Operation Desert Storm, the United Nations military action to liberate Kuwait from its illegal occupation by the armed forces of Iraq. Named "banana jets" in service parlance because of their vaguely banana-shaped appearance, the specific role of the Buccaneers was to provide secondary laser designation of targets for Tornados - which were not so equipped at the time - as well as to designate targets similarly for their own bombs, to regain for the RAF the pinpoint accuracy lost because of the tactical change from low to medium-level bombing. One of the "Buccs" which took part was XW547, named Guinness Girl, from No 12 Squadron. Her commander, Ulsterman Squadron Leader Norman Browne, spearheaded a number of highly successful attacks on vital targets in Iraq and Kuwait. For his part in the action, Norman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. With his wife Irene, Norman travelled from the squadron's base at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland in October 1991 to talk to the Ulster Aviation Society about his contribution to Desert Storm.

One of the European Heritage events held in various locations in Northern Ireland The Shorts SD-330 was based on the company's successful Skyvan design. With sales potential for a larger aircraft, Shorts began to look at the possibility to stretch the basic design to satisfy the needs of regional airlines. The first aircraft were delivered to Time Air of Canada in August 1976 and the type soon proved itself to be a reliable and cost effective airliner. In 1982 a military version was announced and in 1984 the United States Air Force placed an order for 18 aircraft, which was called the C-23 Sherpa. A further development for the civil market led to the larger Shorts 360. Together, these were the last company-designed aircraft to be built before Shorts became part of the Bombardier group. This aircraft G-BDBS was the second prototype making its maiden flight on 8th July 1975. It joined the flight test program visiting the USA in 1976, before becoming the company demonstrator travelling to Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and the Middle East. In 1982 it was converted into the prototype Utility Tactical Transport variant but was changed back to its original configuration and used by Shorts as a company transport until 1992. In October of that year the Aircraft was donated by Shorts to the Ulster Aviation Society.

One of the European Heritage events held in various locations in Northern Ireland A replica Ferguson Flyer on display The original aircraft was built in 1911 by Co. Down inventor Harry Ferguson, best known for his inventive and pioneering work with agricultural tractors, was the first person to design, build and fly his own powered aircraft in Ireland. Pilot William McMinn, flew the aeroplane briefly (but successfully) from the Ulster Gliding Club’s airfield at Bellarena, near Limavady – the same location used by Harry Ferguson just over a century ago.

http://www.downroyal.com/

One of the European Heritage events held in various locations in Northern Ireland The SA316 Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by Sud Aviation and later manufactured by Aérospatiale of France. A successor to the Alouette II being larger and having more seating, it was originally powered by a Turbomeca Artouste IIIB turboshaft engine. ​Recognised for its mountain rescue capabilities and adaptability, the first version of the SE 3160 prototype flew on 28 February 1959.

One of the European Heritage events held in various locations in Northern Ireland The 18A Gyroplane, created by Air & Space, is an intriguing piece of aviation technology that can be found on display at the Ulster Aviation Society. As a type of aircraft that utilises a rotor to generate lift and a propeller for thrust, the gyroplane is a rather unique hybrid between a helicopter and an aeroplane. The 18A model was designed to be lightweight, compact, and easy to manoeuvre, making it a popular choice for recreational flying.

One of the European Heritage events held in various locations in Northern Ireland XX637 c/n BH120/307 first flew 23/09/1974 and delivered to Royal Navy EFTS Church Fenton 10/10/1974. After being gifted to the Ulster Aviation Society it was decided that the aircraft would be repainted as XX613 Coded A as a tribute to Squadron Leader Robb Burges, who tragically lost his life whilst flying a Bulldog on a training flight with a member of the Queen's University Air Squadron, who survived the crash on 16/10/1992.