A Visit to the American Helicopter Museum

“Cool! A flying banana!” That was the first thing we said as we drove up to the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center in West Chester, Pennsylvania. To some, West Chester is known as the birthplace of the Commodore Vic-20. To others, it’s the original home of Sharples Tubular Cream Separators; as everyone knows, these were the centrifugal separators of choice for millions of farmers in the early 20th century. But to hardcore aviation geeks like us, West Chester is the place with all the cool helicopters.

[@get2dachoppa249]

Here because this place was talked about on the Aviation Geeks Podcast.

[@johneastman1905]

How refreshing to view a video that is very well scripted and put together, well done sir.

[@jimschroeder16]

How could you forget, THE infamous QVC studios neighbor the property, just 1000 feet away.

[@belgeode]

OMG I would be in HEAVEN in a place like that. In PA no less? I live in Pittsburgh so that is not too too far from me.
Heck, EAA, hire me so I can go to these cool places for business haha!

[@MonostripeZebra]

All the usual suspects in all the same places.. ;=)

[@HELIPORTVIDEO]

Nice video!

[@hovanti]

I haven't been there since '98; I think it's time to go back...

[@jamesfrost7465]

Wonderful. Did the 21A Piasecki Retriver fly any time during the Vietnam war? I'm working on a display and I really need to know. Thank you.

[@lenswork4]

I learned to fly at Brandywine Airport, which is adjacent.

[@Nlangkirby135]

Believe it or not, I volunteer at the American Helicopter Museum and I am proud to be a part of the museum.

[@Nlangkirby135]

The museum recently was gifted a S-76 from the now closed Sikorsky plant based in Coatesville.

[@JeffGraves]

I am not sure I believe it, but only because I do not know you

[@Nlangkirby135]

@@JeffGraves well, to be honest... it wasn't a real airworthy s-76... it is a fully functional mockup. And true... you don't see the names of the volunteers at the musuem website. But it is true i volunteer at this musuem... but covid-19 has temporarily suspended volunteering at the museum.

[@jamesfrost7465]

Hoy, it's a wonderful collection. I'm working on a Vietnam helicopter display for my work place. I'm tracking down as many of the Vietnam war helicopter models I can find. I'm waiting on the flying Banana and a few others. I'm currently building the 21A Retreiver 1/48 scale model now. Question please. Did the 21A Retriever fly any time in the Vietnam war? I would love to include both Piasecki desings for this display but only if she flew in the war. Thank you, I'm a nautical museum curator myself and you know we must be exact. Thank you again.

[@odlopoelsolrac5067]

wish I could