Talk about long lasting threads... 2004 >> 2012? Wow
Never having flown the Wessex but have flown its cousin the S58T I can only say that the aircraft has a charachter to it that the other 11 types I have been lucky enough to get under my belt have lacked.
That aircraft was nice to fly just because it was. No APs, No SAS, just bare bones basic helicopter with a style all its own. Climbing up the side to sit "up top" is just a unique feeling.
The aircraft was just different. Not fast (used to get the start of retreating blade stall at 115 knots in the summer sometimes). Not sexy, unless you like Miss Piggy. Just different.