Caterham and Royal Air Force unveils one-off sports car built from parts taken from a decommissioned helicopter.
The sports car is built using the skin, interior and other components from a Puma HC2 helicopter that served in several war zones.
The Caterham Seven 360R was built to raise money for “injured service men and women and will be auctioned off.
Caterham and the Royal Air Force (RAF) have unveiled a one-off Caterham Seven 360R sports car built from parts taken from a decommissioned Puma HC2 helicopter.
Based on the Seven 360R, the one-of-a-kind sports car is built using the skin, interior and other components from a retired Puma HC2 helicopter that served in several war zones.
Painted in matching NATO green, the Seven’s exterior aluminium skin and the rear bulkhead of the vehicle was taken from the aircraft’s tail boom and doors.
Inside, its unique dashboard features military grade switchgear from the aircraft, which boasts a helicopter-style three-stage ignition sequence.
The car’s battery under the bonnet was created from the helicopter’s ammunition box, which once carried 50kcal bullets.
Powering it is a 180-hp 2.0 Ford Duratec engine that allows a 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph (209 kilometres per hour).
Assembly of the car was carried out by Caterham and serving personnel from RAF Benson, who were all involved throughout the 2 weeks long build process.
Bob Laishley, CEO of Caterham, said:
“When the RAF approached us about this project, we jumped at the chance to be involved. Firstly, because it was an interesting build process for us as it’s the first time in our history that a Seven has been made from old helicopter parts.”
Caterham said that the Seven 360R was built to raise money for injured service men and women, adding that one-off car will be auctioned off through the internet classic car auction site, Collecting Cars.
“It was a true team effort as well, with engineers from the RAF supporting us throughout the build. But, more importantly, it’s great to know that any proceeds from the auction will go to incredibly important causes.”