A local museum is calling on members of the public to help them create a fleet of woollen helicopters as part of a new campaign.

The Army Flying Museum, based in Middle Wallop, wants to use the knitted and crocheted creations as part of a series of art installations, called ‘Sky High,’ which will launch later in 2021.

Helicopters can be based around the museum’s own collection of rotary aircraft, or can be made to a custom design, with the museum saying that they “be any size or colour, and the brighter the better.”

The Army Flying Museum, which opened in 1987, is no stranger to knitted invasions of its site, having organised ‘Magnificent Mini Medals’ to commemorate Remembrance Day last year, with woollen poppies and medals submitted to the museum by members of the public.

Patterns for the helicopters can be found on the museum’s website, and once complete, they can be dropped off at the museum following the end of lockdown or posted to them directly.

The helicopters will be displayed around the museum’s collection, which include workhorses of the British Army such as the Lynx, as well as those from other forces around the world, such as the Bell Iroquois and the Aérospatiale Gazelle.

The new campaign, ‘Heroic Helicopters’, is one of a number of different installations for ‘Sky High’. Other installations include a graffiti art project and the sewing and embroidery of military jackets. These jackets are based on Army Uniforms including those from units such as the Royal Engineer Balloon Section and the Glider Pilot Regiment.

The crocheted creations will go on display at the museum once lockdown has ended, with the museum looking to have over 1000 to go on show.

More information about the project, and how to get involved, can be found by clicking here or by emailing outreach@armyflying.com