An old friend who operated the Wessex and the Puma, said the Puma's biggest problem was that it wasn't soldier-proof.
Back in 1971 when I was on 33 Sqn. when the Pumas started flying we were subjected to this non stop mockery from 72 Wessex Sqn. of how our Pumas would fall apart once the Army started jumping in and out. The first aircraft, XW204, arrived at the end of April and is still in service with the same squadron; nearly fifty years later.
Soldier proof. How long was the Wessex in front line service?