PILOTS shared their memories of a cherished chopper as it was welcomed home to Portland.

The Westland Lynx XZ250 helicopter was unveiled at Portland Marina in front of servicemen and women, local dignitaries and members of the public.

It has been loaned to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Lynx helicopter and the site’s former role as the Royal Naval Air Station HMS Osprey.

Dean and Reddyhoff, the company behind Weymouth and Portland’s marinas, hosted the ceremony.

A driving force behind the helicopter’s homecoming was Joanna Dean, wife of John Dean of Dean and Reddyhoff.

She said: “One day John and I said ‘wouldn’t it be lovely to have a helicopter here?’ “I said ‘come on boys, we want a helicopter’. I was told that I’m a persistent woman. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it back here. I was over the moon.

“I’m absolutely delighted, it’s fabulous.”

Lieutenant Chris Chambers, lead display pilot of helicopter display team the Black Cats, has many treasured memories of flying the XZ250.

He said: “This helicopter definitely features in my log book. The last time I flew it was in a display at Guernsey Air Show.

“It’s quite strange seeing it stripped out. If you look inside it, it seems strange.”

The helicopter completed its service life after 32 years and eight days and accumulating 7,667 flying hours with 702, 815 and 829 squadrons and nine ship’s flights operating around the world.

Mike Ryan, Lynx Helicopter Force Commander, was based at the naval air station on Portland between 1997 and 1999.

He said: “I was on one of the last flights out of Portland in early 1999. I have very fond memories of flying from here.

“It’s very apt that on the 40th anniversary of the Lynx helicopter it has come home to this environment.”

The Lynx was formally unveiled of its battle ensign by Commodore Paul Chivers OBE RN, the Commanding Officer of RNAS Yeovilton and Lt Cdr Russ Clark, a Lynx Observer who flew the aircraft, as well as being husband and coach of Olympian Sailor Lt Cdr Penny Clark.

Commodore Chivers said: “This Lynx is a reminder to all visitors to the marina of the Royal Navy’s connections to Portland and the Fleet Air Arm’s activities around the world.”

The Portland Marina Gate Guardian will remain in place throughout the Olympics in 2012 as a reminder of the long association of the Fleet Air Arm with Portland.