As a kid in North Devon I used to love seeing the RAF SAR Wessex from RAF Chivenor land in Rock Park, Barnstaple to offload casualties (usually surfers!). The noise and smell was awesome.
Some years later, I was working on the Gas rigs off the North Norfolk coast and used to be flown there and back in a Wessex. Very cramped, full of people and cargo so zero chance of a smooth exit in the event of an accident.
My perfect job in the RAF would have been rear crew in an SAR Helicopter, but it wasn't to be.
Great machine and would love to see it fly again.