Caterham builds a seven out of parts from a Puma HC2

Caterham has unveiled a Seven 360R, created to pay tribute to the Puma HC2 helicopter.

The special car has been built from the aluminium skin taken from the aircraft's tail boom and doors, so most of the body panels of the car actually sports the actual external finish on the helicopter, while the remaining panels come finished in a matching NATO Green.

Caterham states that the vehicle also sports the aircraft's quilted soundproofing, here used to line its door panels and tunnel top, and additionally forming the padding for its carbon fibre seats. The Seven 360R also gets a unique satin black dashboard, to match the Puma's military grade switchgear. This dashboard also houses the aircraft's navigation clock. Finally, the car now gets a three-stage ignition sequence, mirroring those found in helicopters, for added drama at every startup.

Assembly of the car was a joint effort between Caterham and serving personnel from RAF Benson, and the names of all those involved in this project are featured on its bonnet.

The special Caterham Seven 360R will go under the hammer to raise money for injured servicemen and women in the U.K. It will go on display at the British Formula One Grand Prix. Puma HC2 support helicopters are used for a variety of combat roles including tactical movement of troops and weapons, as well as the extraction of casualties on the frontline. They are also employed for humanitarian and disaster relief operations.