Seen at the ATC HQ in Southampton , a number of cheering cadets watching the unloading of a Fairey jet Gyrodyne which they are to have on loan from the Fairey Aviation Company for an indefinite period for training purposes . It cost the eighty enterprising cadets sixpence to own the 瞿500 000 vertical take-off jet aircraft . For the price of two three penny stamps the boys of 424 ATC Squadron wrote two letters to the Westland Aircraft company when they discovered the plane - the only helicopter of its kind in the world - was lying idle and forgotten in a hanger , and asked if they could borrow it . The cadets have the Gyrodyne but it is unlikely they will be allowed to fly it because the Air Ministry will not grant the certificate . 19 July 1961