 NELSAM is an English registered charity.The North East Land, Sea and Air Museums traces its origins back to the formation of the North East Vintage and Veteran Aircraft Association (NEAVVAA) , which started meeting in March 1974 at the Sunderland Airport, which had been RAF Usworth.In March 1975 the group purchased a Westland WS-51 Dragonfly helicopter from a scrapyard and this became its first aircraft.