Savoia
Secondly, why was the Whirlwind so much lighter on the controls compared to the Wessex?
No ASE in the Whirlwind therefore no stick trim to fight against. Take out the stick trim and they were virtually the same. As to noise I think the Seaking is the quietest - but it is all a matter of degree..............
Those who flew the WW10 and 9 would tell you that they had the sweetest and lightest control feel of the lot - just don't let go of the stick.....!
D