Lynx Helicopter Glamping Pod Heating, RAF Wainfleet

The Goal

At the former RAF Wainfleet site in Lincolnshire, local farmer and site owner Will Roughton set out to convert a decommissioned Westland Lynx military helicopter into a fully functioning glamping pod.

The aircraft — once used by the British Army for more than 40 years — is being repurposed as a unique holiday attraction alongside a renovated 1970s control tower and three restored RAF bunkers.

He needed a compact, reliable heating system that could keep the small internal space warm in colder months, fit within the aircraft structure, and operate efficiently for holiday let turnover.

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Our Solution

Through our subsidiary Heatmat, Heatcom Group specified a 150 W Combymat electric heating system ideal for the tight, curved interior of the helicopter body.

The system included:

• 3.0 m² of 150 W Combymat, delivering a total output of 450 W
• 6 mm foam insulation
• 6 mm plywood sub-base
• Electrical conductive tape for secure fitting
• A WiFi-enabled NGTouch thermostat, allowing remote control by the owner

The heating mats were installed over foam insulation to reduce heat loss, with laminate flooring planned as the final finish.
The WiFi thermostat gives Will the ability to adjust temperatures remotely based on guest arrival times — a key advantage for glamping operations.

The materials were supplied by 7Core Electrical Wholesale (Skegness) and installed by Homestead Property Lets Ltd.

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The Result

The helicopter pod now features a warm, comfortable interior space that highlights the original cockpit controls and houses a sofa-bed, mini fridge, and TV.

Heatmat’s system provides:

• reliable warmth in a small, highly unconventional space
• low running costs
• remote management via NGTouch WiFi
• suitability for holiday accommodation cycles

Heatcom Group — through Heatmat — has supplied underfloor heating for many unique glamping-style structures, including shepherd huts, cabins, holiday homes, and bespoke installations like this one.