In 1926 the membership of the Royal Aeronautical Society was 1,049 and the Society was celebrating its 60th anniversary. On 18th October of that year, the Westland Aircraft Society was formed; two months later becoming the Yeovil Branch on 14th December 1926. One of the main objectives of the fledging Branch was to hold lectures for Ground Engineers to meet the examination syllabus published by the Air Ministry. Seven years later, on 21 March 1934, Col Pritchard, the Secretary of the Society, wrote to Victor Gaunt, the Yeovil founding Hon Secretary: "I really must congratulate you all upon the excellent show you always put up in every way. The Yeovil Branch is the envy of all other Branches and the standard to which they aim." This spirit lives on in Yeovil with a strong local committee and the desire to provide members and aviation enthusiasts with a focal point to develop professional knowledge and interest. In 1946, Westland decided to specialise in helicopters and over 2,500 have been built in Yeovil, more than 80% of the UK helicopter production. The Branch enjoys strong support from the company, now Leonardo, reflecting the mutual benefit that is available.