Bristol was also involved in helicopter development, with the Belvedere and Sycamore going into quantity production.

On 15 December 1955, RAF Bristol Sycamore helicopter XG501, crewed by Flight Sergeant P. A.

* Bristol 171 Sycamore helicopter

In 1954 the fixed wing aircraft had been joined by a flight of Bristol Sycamore helicopters for Search and Rescue duties.

The main gearbox and rotor of a Bristol Sycamore helicopter

British European Airways ' Bristol Sycamore | Bristol 171 Mk 3A at London Gatwick on the scheduled passenger service from Birmingham in 1955

Bristol Sycamore HR 14 helicopters of No. 275 Squadron RAF arrived on 9 October 1957 before being re-equipped with the Westland Whirlwind HAR 4 in March 1959 with the HAR 2 version being added in August 1959, however on 1 September 1959 the squadron was disbanded.

650 marines and 23 tons of equipment were flown in ten Westland Whirlwind Mark 2s of 845 Naval Air Squadron from the deck of the HMS Theseus, and six each Whirlwinds and Bristol Sycamore HC. 12s and HC. 14s off HMS Ocean's embarked Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit ( JEHU ) ( Royal Air Force ).

On 1 September 1959, the Bristol Sycamore Flight of No. 228 Squadron at RAF Aldergrove became No. 118 Squadron in Transport Command.