Westland Wessex

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Museum exhibit Westland Wessex

The Westland Wessex is a turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft, initially for the Royal Navy, but later for the RAF. The Wessex was built at Westland's factory at Yeovil in Somerset.

The name Wessex had also been used for a fixed wing light transport of 1930, a modification of the Westland IV.

Contents

1 History
2 Variants

2.1 Military
2.2 Civilian Models

3 Service
4 Users
5 Specifications (Wessex HC.2)
6 References
7 External links
8 Related content

History

The first Wessex, a HAS.1 flew in 1958, and they entered anti-submarine duties in 1961 with the Royal Navy. It was the first helicopter to have a free power turbine.

The design was adapted in the early 1960s for the RAF to become a general-purpose helicopter capable of troop-carrying, air ambulance and ground attack roles. In contrast with the turbine HAS.1, it used turbo-shafts. It was first used by the RAF in 1962, and did not finally retire until January 2003, being the main transport helicopter until the introduction of the Aérospatiale Puma. The bright yellow RAF machines used for air-sea or mountain rescue duties became especially famous and saved many lives.

The Navy pressed the development of the HAS.1 into the improved HAS.3, coming into service in 1967. It saw embarked service on the County Class destroyers.

Wessex helicopters were also used by the Queen's Flight of the RAF to transport VIPs including members of the British Royal Family, from 1969 to 1998. Those Royal helicopters were designated HCC.4 and were essentially similar to the HC.2 but with an upgraded interior, additional navigation equipment and enhanced maintenance programmes. A later version used by the Royal Marine Commandos was the HU.5.

Some ex-RAF Wessex helicopters continue flying in the Uruguayan Air Force and Naval Air Arm.

Variants

(production numbers after names)

Military

Wessex HAS.1: 140

RN utility, anti-submarine warfare, later air-sea rescue only

Wessex HC.2: 68

RAF Troop carrier

Can carry up to 16 troops.

Wessex HAR.2: 6

RAF search and rescue version

Wessex HAS.3: 46 (43 converted from HAS.1)

RN anti-submarine

Improved avionics with a radome on the rear fuselage.

Wessex HCC.4: 2

helicopters of the Royal Flight equipped for VVIP transport

Wessex HU.5: 101

RN service troop transporter, carried 16 Royal Marines

Wessex HAS.31: 27

Royal Australian Navy anti-submarine warfare model.

Wessex HAS.31B:

Updated anti-submarine warfare model for the Royal Australian Navy.

Wessex 52: 12

military transport version for the Iraqi Air Force.

Wessex 53: 2

Military transport version for the Ghana Air Force.

Wessex 54: 1

Military transport version for the Brunei Air Wing.

In RN service the armament carried was:

Pylon mounting (selection from)
*4 Aerospatiale SS-11
*2 Aerospatiale AS-12 Anti-shipping missile
*2 x 7.62 mm L7 GMPG machine guns.
Fixed mounts
*Depth charges or lightweight torpedoes.

Civilian Models

Wessex 52: 12
Wessex 53: 2
Wessex 54: 2
Wessex 60

Civilian version of the Wessex HC.2. 20 built.

Service

No. 18 Squadron RAF
No. 22 Squadron RAF
No. 28 Squadron RAF
No. 60 Squadron RAF
No. 72 Squadron RAF
No. 78 Squadron RAF
No. 84 Squadron RAF
No. 103 Squadron RAF
No. 700 Naval Air Squadron
No. 706 Naval Air Squadron
No. 707 Naval Air Squadron
No. 737 Naval Air Squadron
No. 771 Naval Air Squadron
No. 772 Naval Air Squadron
No. 781 Naval Air Squadron
No. 814 Naval Air Squadron
No. 815 Naval Air Squadron
No. 819 Naval Air Squadron
No. 820 Naval Air Squadron
No. 826 Naval Air Squadron
No. 829 Naval Air Squadron
No. 845 Naval Air Squadron
No. 846 Naval Air Squadron
No. 848 Naval Air Squadron

Users

Australia, Brunei, Brazil, Ghana, Iraq, United Kingdom (RAF, FAA), Uruguay

Specifications (Wessex HC.2)

References

Michal Ovcacik & Karel Susa, Westland Wessex: Rotary Wiings Line, 1st edition 1998, 4+ Publications, Prague Czech Republic, (in English) ISBN 8090255906.