What is it about the Wessex that makes people so fond of it?

[Savoia]

Lol! Excellent! :D

"Quite right Your Royal Highness, nor indeed any version of the Wessex! But I'm a great fan!"

While we're at it - please can you tell me what the 'Wessex bit' is that I've highlighted in your photo.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fwf6LB-uuvc/TqqftZqgz1I/AAAAAAAAFmE/IEJ-Li_gKjM/s799/Wessex%252520Bit%252521.jpg

ps: Which squadron ties are you and PC wearing?

[bast0n]

Savoia – those covers run down both sides of the Wessex 5 just below cockpit level. You will note that unlike other marks of Wessex the forward end is open as an intake. In the lesser marks this square tube carries electrical cables that the well known maker of garage doors that made the Wessex various did not know where to put and run devious bits of kit like Asdic! In the 5 however the tubes act as an intake to a very small ram air turbine that provides current to a coffee maker in the forward end of the main cabin, crewman for the use of, to serve his master up the front. In the tropics the electricity can be diverted to a small fridge that slots in place of the coffee machine. If you do not fly in balance you get cold coffee or warm beer. The photo below shows an in the field repair to the coffee maker.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Wessexenginefailures01.jpg

The tie we are wearing is the FAA tie that the Fly Navy Heritage Trust sells to raise boodle to keep all sorts of things running. It is available online through the FAA Museum shop.

[Thud_and_Blunder]

bast0n, that has to be a future contender for the caption-competition thread - please!

[John Eacott]

The tie we are wearing is the FAA tie that the Fly Navy Heritage Trust sells to raise boodle to keep all sorts of things running. It is available online through the FAA Museum shop.

Of course, a proper Wessex driver gets the ZigZag tie from the FAAOA (http://www.fleetairarmoa.org/catalogue/products.asp?CatID=3) :p

Coffee maker, eh? We'd just ring the steward in the galley down the back for lunch, much easier than all this landing in paddocks stuff ;)

[Savoia]

Bast0n, thanks for that explanation.

My 'stab in the dark' had been a ram air duct for the passenger cabin although I was naturally curious as to the length of the 'appendage'. That it served as a conduit for wiring etc. suggests there can't have been much extra space or an easy route from the nose to the cabin?

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mhRfQYPpcEk/Tq-fCyozXuI/AAAAAAAAF9o/KTSqJ8VDcFA/s512/A%252520Royal%252520Navy%252520Wessex%252520helicopter%25252 0of%252520No%252520845%252520Naval%252520Air%252520Squadron% 252520picks%252520up%252520a%252520British%252520Army%252520 patrol%252520in%252520Borneo%2525201964.jpg
Royal Navy Westland Wessex of 845 Naval Air Squadron winches aboard members of a British Army patrol in Borneo in 1964

[Savoia]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X_axv0joQQ4/TrJJ4aRUKwI/AAAAAAAAGEA/Unl30iGleDA/s512/ww1.jpg
ROYAL NAVY WESSEX SIBU AIRSTRIP, SARAWAK, 1965: A crippled Navy Wessex helicopter hovers above a landing pad while its damaged under-carriage unit, weighing 300 lbs, is removed, repaired and replaced by a repair team in 8 minutes. Piloted by Lieut John Foster, RN, the left undercarriage wheel snapped on landing near the Indonesian border, the pilot promptly put the aircraft into a climb and flew back to Sibu airport, and hovered while his passengers disembarked and the repair team went into action.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4UpNcNQQnSw/TrJJ6Qj_xNI/AAAAAAAAGEE/Midv_bcz-00/s574/ww2.jpg
ROYAL NAVY WESSEX ABOARD HMS ALBION, 1962: Flight deck scene as Royal Marines of 41 Commando embark on a Wessex helicopter. HMS Albion prepares for her tour of the Far East in 1962 during trials and work-up as the Royal Navy's second commando carrier assigned to relieve HMS Bulwark. The Marines here pictured were participating in Exercise 'Double Take' which involved training operations from helicopters, carriers and landing craft

[Nigel Osborn]

John had a lovely Swedish wife who made the best lobster/crab dish I've ever had, all freshly caught that afternoon!!

[CharlieOneSix]

A few months ago a relative of a friend was dismantling an old chest of drawers he had bought years before at a car boot sale in Hawick, Scotland. He found some dusty old 35mm monochrome negatives tucked away in the back and I scanned them for him. The grainy photo shown here is of a Fleet Air Arm anti-submarine Wessex HAS Mk1 depositing an underslung load and after some research the story behind the photo has become clearer – helped by locations shown in the other negatives. The harp insignia just behind the port oleo shows this to be a Wessex of 815 Squadron.
http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l543/CharlieOneSix/Wessex302.jpg

The Radfan Mountains are located 60 miles north of Aden. In 1964 the new republican government in adjacent Yemen, backed by Egypt's President Nasser, was actively fermenting trouble in the Sultanate of Upper Yafa, which was one of the Western Aden Protectorate states that was refusing to join the Federation of Saudi Arabia.

It became clear that a campaign was being waged against the Federation of Saudi Arabia, mainly by the Yemen and Egyptian-backed Radfan tribesmen. Their main objective was to attempt to close the main road from Aden to Yemen's frontier town of Dhala. However, the campaign mounted by British personnel, with Federation troops, quickly and effectively defeated the tribesmen.

The Wessex in the photo above is '302' XM873 of 815 Naval Air Squadron which with other 815 Wessex left the aircraft carrier HMS Centaur on 22 May 1964 to go on detachment to the Radfan hills north of Aden. The purpose was to undertake the junglie role in support of 45 Commando, 1st Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, and the East Anglian Regiment. 815 had previously been in the Radfan in January that year in support of a similar task - Operation Nutcracker - and all the antisubmarine role equipment was once again removed from the Wessex to allow transportation of troops.

Based at RAF Khormaksar, the squadron flew daily to Thumier. The normal routine was for RAF Hunters to soften up a rebel stronghold with rocket and cannon fire, followed by a mortar bombardment, and then, when enemy heads seemed to be scarce the Wessex flew in advance troops to secure the site.

The photo of XM873 must have been taken at some point in the 19 days between leaving Centaur and when it was written off in the Radfan on 10 June 1964 when a sudden wind veer just prior to touchdown at an elevation of 5000ft caused it to bounce several times. The tail section parted and the aircraft rolled over 5 times into a 150ft deep gully at Wadi Misrah on the Radfan Plateau. The crew, pilots Bob Wilkins and the late Paul Kingston, and the Observer Bryan Naylor were all OK but four East Anglian Regiment soldiers were injured (Privates Holden, Ide, Casserley and Muglesoone) and one, Private Fox, was killed. XM873 was struck off charge on 11 September 1964 having a total of 670.40 flying hours.

A month after they had disembarked, 815 returned to Centaur on 22 June 1964 having flown 300 hours of operational tasks, transported 2500 troops, moved 400,000lbs of stores, and flown 25 casevacs.

[Savoia]

Brilliant investigative post C16! :ok:

[Savoia]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w47pHiCEJ1k/Tr4Exk1ZQuI/AAAAAAAAGPo/vjY2GxjxmHw/s512/Royal%252520Navy%252520845%252520Naval%252520Air%252520Squad ron%252520Westland%252520Wessex%252520-helicopter%252520aboard%252520HMS%252520Bulwark.%252520These %252520helicopters%252520wee%252520used%252520to%252520carry %252520commando%252520troops%252520and%252520the%252520ship% 252520had%25252016%252520of%252520these%252520copters.jpg
Westland Wessex of 845 Naval Air Squadron Westland Wessex based aboard HMS Bulwark. These craft were used to carry commando troops and were part of a 16 ship complement of aircraft

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nf1z0snGG4w/Tr4Ewd8I6KI/AAAAAAAAGPs/OY4f7VIwegc/s720/Westland%252520Wessex%252520helicopter%252520lands%252520on% 252520board%252520HMS%252520Triumph%252520%252528A108%252529 %252520while%252520docked%252520at%252520Mombassa%25252C%252 520Kenya%25252C%252520in%252520December%2525201971..jpg
Westland Wessex lands on board HMS Triumph (A108) while docked in Mombasa, Kenya, in December 1971

[[email protected]]

Just visited a very sad Wessex graveyard at Carasco airport in Montevideo. The Fuerza Aerea Uruguay stopped flying them a few years ago due to shortage of spares and 5 of them have been towed round the back of a hangar and left to rot - 2 more are gate guardians. I will post pictures when back in UK and the FAU guys are going to find out the original tail numbers from the maintenance documents.

[Fareastdriver]

Show up quite well on Google Earth. The five hulks beside a hanger and the two gate guardians. One to the Northwest of the red roofed buildings and the other to the South near a DC3 beside the road. Somebody has conveniently posted a photograph of this Wessex. I believe that all seven were the remnants of 28 Sqn when Hong Kong was transferred back to the PRC in 1997.

[bast0n]

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/TwicetheKit.jpg

I know it is not the Wessex but it was done by people with a similar sense of Jungly humour!!

D

[Savoia]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dYXuUw9grVw/TsHpvCcYPII/AAAAAAAAGTo/JFyKEMzJvrA/s512/RoyalNavy-FleetAirArm-1963-1.jpg

The blurb reads:

Pilot this Wessex helicopter and you are handling a weapon of front-line defence and attack. You search out the enemy at sea and land Commandos with their equipment. You’re around to see the jet squadrons off from carrier deck and back. You take part in reconnaissance and communications, ship-to-ship transport, air-sea rescue. Each task is its own challenge to your proven ability, initiative, toughness. Essential qualities, these demanded by the vital exacting job of flying in the Royal Navy.

You can join the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot or observer between 17 and 26 with a least an ‘O’ level GCE or equivalent in English, Maths and three other subjects. Basically there are two terms of service either a pensionable engagement to 38 if you are between 17 and 22 or one of 12 years without pension if entry age is 22 to 26. Both of those can be terminated at 5 (helicopter pilots only) 8 or 12 years. Respective gratuities are £775, £1,500 and £4,000. There will be opportunity too for officers to apply for a permanent commission. For further information about life in the Fleet Air Arm write to: Captain G. C. Mitchell, Officer Entry Selection, VR/11, Admiralty, London, SW1

[Nigel Osborn]

Gee, I never knew I had all those qualities!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fareastdriver]

Nowadays you would need a degree in something or other to join as a pilot.
‘O’ level GCE or equivalent in English, Maths and three other subjects.
The standard of 'O' levels in those days is the standard that degrees have dropped to now.

[Savoia]

The standard of 'O' levels in those days is the standard that degrees have dropped to now.

Lol! Oh dear, you're probably not far from the mark, sadly!

Further up the page we see evidence of a RN Wessex which suffered the collapse of its port landing gear during landing. The pilot, Lt. John Foster, aborted the landing and returned to the craft's operating base where a wheel change was effected within 8 minutes (so we are informed) while Lt. Foster nursed the Wessex through a low hover - bravo!

In Australia in 1974 a RAN Wessex suffered a similar fate (see below). The cockpit voice recorder (in those days a duty performed by a member of the Royal Australian Signal Corps) captured the conversation (originally recorded in shorthand) between the Commander and his Co-pilot:

Cmdr: "What a f**king pain!" "Can't those bloody Pommies learn to put these things together properly?"
P2: "You're right Cap." "What are you gonna do."
Cmdr: "Well I don't want to f**k about with the thing, what's your suggestion?"
P2: "Well Cap we're not that far from my girlfriend's place and, as you know, she works with Qantas and has a couple more Shiela's stayin with her."
Cmdr: "And?"
P2: "Well, I was thinking, we could put the bugger on the beach and I could go check-up on me Shiela and see if she and her friends could come down and 'rescue' us." "You know, bring back some of the amber nectar and set-up a barbie!" "Whaddaya think?"
Cmdr: "Its not something the Pommies would do!" "Sounds good to me - let's do it!"

http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/albums/Wessex-N7-222/AMOF_N7_222.jpg
RAN Wessex, Murrays Beach, 12th November 1974

;)

http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/albums/Wessex-N7-222/AC_Recovery_fo_Wessex832.sized.jpg

[Gaspode the Dog]

Doing wingovers all only own at RAF Mona.

The Nav climbing down from the LHS at night in the hover and using the cyclic as a grab handle!

Happy days!!!!;)

[John Eacott]

Gee, I never knew I had all those qualities!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought the 11+ would see you by in your day, Nigel :p

[Geoffersincornwall]

September 17th 1974 - John Tookey was doing his refam on the Wx3 (XM331) prior to replacing me as staff QHI at 737 NAS (RNAS Portland - HMS Osprey).

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6106/6357696851_b3f8e3c02e_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6221/6357697267_0bab5c3c17_z.jpg

I stood by with fingers crossed watching him do it all by himself for the first time and took these piccies.

G.

[Nigel Osborn]

John

They didn't have the 11+ in my time!:D

[bast0n]

Nigel,

11 plus was not taught in private schools, so that is why you were not given the chance to fail it:)

I seem to remember also that if you were on the Flypro all the cabs went and hid - as in the photo below...............................:O

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/BulwarkAlbion2.jpg

[Upland Goose]

Baston. A rotary heaven or haven. What a picture ! UG:ok:

[Savoia]

Bast0n you'll forgive me for asking what may seem obvious to others but .. which vessel was this please?

[bast0n]

Savoia

The mighty HMS Albion seen here entering Aden

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/BulwarkAlbion5.jpg

[[email protected]]

Very sad to see

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i387/22sarboy/uruguay136.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x768/img_3761_515d51d83c6a61f62680e7aec1d9393a8dc26a91.jpg


http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i387/22sarboy/IMG_3757.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i387/22sarboy/IMG_3755.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i387/22sarboy/IMG_3752.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i387/22sarboy/IMG_3751.jpg

This was the only one with a visible tail number - definitely in my logbook
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i387/22sarboy/IMG_3484.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i387/22sarboy/IMG_3483.jpg

[pstjgw]

They look in good condition - what a pity that a lack of spares caused them to be grounded.

The pictures brought back many memories, prompted especially by the wooden collective grip, the SSLs and the huge torgue meter!

It was a great aircraft to fly. :D

What a pity Westlands marketing and support was so poor. If they had been on the ball the S-58T would never have made it.

[Geoffersincornwall]

Now this is a man's Wessex, single engine and no drab colours. Ark SAR seen in the plane-guard position on Ark Royal circa 1970, probably Smudge (Keith) Smith at the controls.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6040/6368179413_24914fc874_z.jpg

and this is an 824 Sea King about to land as soon as the planks were on-board the ship would turn hard-a-port and Flyco would say "land the plane guard, Sea King to Fly3" and we would dash in to land in our tiny parking spot behind the island before the deck became a sloping moving gust-ridden hell.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6093/6368180289_87bb3b3418_z.jpg

Of course mini carriers like Albion would have been fun but life on board a proper carrier like Ark was a whole different kettle of fish. Sea Kings flew the plane guard whenever our Mk1 Wessex were 'indisposed' and that was amazing. The Phantoms of full re-heat made such a racket that you could not even feel the noise and vibration from your own machine.

G.

[John Eacott]

Geoff,

6 Spot: what a delightful place to land, and later we were relegated to the starboard wait, out of sight & out of mind!

Chris Johnson was Flight Commander of Ark SAR in these photos:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1353-1/SAR+Wessex+landing+on+3+spot+Ark+Royal.jpg

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1296-2/Ark+Wessex+1+landing.JPG

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1299-2/Ark+Wessex+I+on+bucket+course.JPG

This one was on Eagle, taken from the LSO platform:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1355-1/SAR+Wessex+touch+down+Eagle+from+LSO+spot.jpg

RFA Resource often wandered around after us, hoping that some of the Pinger gloss would rub off upon them. They were even allowed to play in our games, just to encourage them: one attempt during a Helicopter Gymkana:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1346-2/Resource+Wessex+V+on+gymkhana.JPG

Although Humphrey from Hampshire had to show them how....

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1337-2/Hampshire+WIII+on+high+line+tx.JPG

Having one donk in the Wx 1 was an issue when it went cough, but CJ was a pinger by trade and was able to provide a re-useable airframe after the landing. Just :p

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1863-1/Ark+SAR+crash.jpg

[Geoffersincornwall]

The highlight of my Wx3 time was the night we were tasked to assist a frigate (at Portland) that was doing a night IFR (in flight refuelling) task during a CASEX (simulating a submarine attack). The brief was to hook up then simulate fuelling. All was well until the skipper of the frigate announced that now he was free to manoeuvre he would be taking avoiding action on a suspect submarine contact. He then proceeded to 'tow' us around at high speed into wind, cross wind, down wind, and all on a dark night. It was almost comical but when we finished I can reassure you that I was completely knackered!! Never again! If you ever hitch your helicopter to anything that moves be sure you know where you are going.

G. :}

[John Eacott]

Leaving Honky Fid, we gave a bit of a fly past with a gaggle of Sioux leading the way:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1330-1/Forming+up+for+Hong+Kong+fly+past+Wessex+_amp_+Sioux.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1800x1191/hong_kong_fly_past_behind_wessex_sioux_over_harbour_edit_2ad 733360c763d50f03056eeadaab0cc817641ca.jpg


And when leaving Singapore, we found an amazing number of jungly cabs following us :ooh:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1293-1/826+Sea+Kings+with+Wessex+mass+fly+past+Singapore+over+HMS+T riumph.jpg

as we trotted past Triumph before heading back west, where events overtook us and we had to (gasp!) help out those chaps on Albion :hmm:


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/600x399/wessex_transfer_albion_to_arethusa_indian_ocean_3159ddabd031 e169df22261b56b82ec84b64514d.jpg


an earlier shot of Albie One, just for Bast0n

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/pprune/Albion%20or%20Bulwark.jpg



More later: to be continued....

[Savoia]

Crab, Geoffers, Jeacott .. thanks for making this a special day on the Wessex thread. Thoroughly enjoyable! :D

[WASALOADIE]

Crab

I was part of the original team who went out to Carrasco to introduce the Wessex (RAFWATT). I can look through my logbook and give you the original registrations vs FAU registrations if you want.

To be fair, the aircraft were all in a pretty poor state when they arrived in Uruguay, all in need of minor or major service. There was evidence of corrosion and they were subject to being parked outside almost permanently and had water ingestion everywhere. The Urugauayans had little experience really with rotary engineering (anything more advanced than UH-1 was complex to them). Myself and the RAF pilot only flew a few of them out of the original 6.

Trying to explain the workings of the Mk1A computer was almost impossible. The spares they had were all that was left when the Sqn disbanded in HK, these had been run down to essential items. There were no spare igniter plugs, no bearings of any sorts, lots of plexiglass window mouldings and items seldom used. They tried to strip an engine in nothing more than a rusting nissen hut (the MT engineering hut) without specialist tools.

When we arrived in country, they had commenced a major and already removed the main oleo radius arm bearings without replacements to go in so the a/c was Christmas treed and on jacks.

The only other things that really worked straight out of the box were the simms rainmaker buckets.

Our engineers (2) had their work cut out.

[John Eacott]

For Bast0n, the Fleet fly past on leaving Singapore: HMS Albion

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4599-2/Fly+past+HMS+Triumph+paying+off+Singapore_001.jpg

For Geoffers, the Port wait, with the relative wind obvious from the stack gas and the SK on 6 Spot! The SAR Wessex, of course, has 3 Spot as the stiff wing aren't going anywhere until he gets out of the way ;)

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4602-2/Ark+Royal+waiting+for+land+on+from+port+wait+01.jpg

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4606-1/Ark+Royal+waiting+for+land+on+from+port+wait+02.jpg

Ark's upper hangar was a little more jumbled with a mix of types (Wx, Gannet, Sea King and F4K) but again, the SAR Wessex is spotted just ahead of the F4 on the waist cat

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4604-1/Ark+Royal+upper+hangar+through+aft+lift+well.jpg

[[email protected]]

Wasaloadie - yes. they told me they had lots of problems with the fuel computers and were surprised when I told them it was the same engine and computer in the Sea King.

Would like to know the tail nos if you get a few minutes with your log book.

They are still using the winching kit from the Wessex that you brought with you! The wet fit floor in the Dauphin is a bastardised Wessex one!

[bast0n]

For John Eacott!

Call that a flypast?

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Jubileereview01.jpg

and don't forget the Rusty B

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Bulwark02-1.jpg

and for Geoffers in Oggieland

not all WX5s were drab.................

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Photoscan3508-1.jpg

[John Eacott]

not all WX5s were drab.................


Preceded by the PoW's machine, supposedly bright enough that we wouldn't run into him :p

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4620-2/PoW+Wessex+V+2.jpg

[John Eacott]

A shot here of RFA Regent's WxV doing a bit of Vertrep to/from Lyness

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4612-2/31+Regent+Wessex+vertrep+from+Lyness.jpg

Back to Albie One: we Pingers were around to raise the tone of celebrations at Christmas (instead of ashore in Durban :( ), the Wardroom Chrimbo cake was magnificent but I can't remember the significance of the image. Chinese influence from the chefs and stewards? :cool:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4614-1/Albion+Christmas+01.jpg

Going a little OT, those who haven't been at sea on a grey funnel liner won't appreciate the efforts that go into entertainment: Sods Operas, Flight Deck Races, theme nights are/were a pre PC way of letting off steam without any harm. Flight Deck races, for instance, on Albion

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/4617-2/Albion+Christmas+FD+races+01.jpg

[Gaspode the Dog]

Come on where are the yellow Wessex pictures? You must have some Crab?

Blooming IPad!!!!:ugh:

[bast0n]

Gasping Dog

Here you are...........................

Having an attack of wind methinks.............................:)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/untitled.png

[Savoia]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-arGmPY2OGGs/Ts8g7BGnhAI/AAAAAAAAGfM/4aRfZI_Eje4/s528/22%252520Squadron%252520Wessex%252520Mk%2525202%252520-%252520Training%252520with%252520the%252520Hollyhead%252520I nshore%252520Life%252520Boat.jpg
22 Squadron Wessex Mk2 training with the Hollyhead inshore life boat

[bast0n]

Jubilee review.
The Wessex at Lee on Solent. The rehearsal was so hairy and the weather so bad we could not have done it without a Wessex 3, God bless 'im, guiding us around the Isle of Wight. Aircraft everywhere in low stratus. As a result, over the weekend my wife and I made up Kamikazi headbands for all the squadron pilots and we wore these to the briefing and for the flight. One or two rather crinkly smiles from the senior, non flying chaps present!

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/img064.jpg

[Fareastdriver]

Silver Jubilee

I took the CAS, CinC Air Support Command, AOC 38 Grp plus their hangers on to HMS Vernon for the Navy day. I was shut down on the Vernon helipad and after the show was over the CAS's staff officer ask me if I had any room for another four. I could take them but they could not sit in the Brittania seats.
The reason for the extra was that the Admiral's barge was unable to get in owing to the weather so I ended up with CNS and CIGS as well.
Being RAF and in a Puma I was fully IFR so a quick chat with Southhampton and we punched off. Over to Southern Radar, steers to Farnborough and then the Helilanes for their MOD pi$$up.

Just as well I didn't spear in anywhere; it would have cleared a few promotion bottlenecks.

[TipCap]

Trying to recognise Lee-on-Solent from that pic Dave. Is that looking towards the Argus gate? Was there for 7 years with CG SAR in the late 80's but then all the Wessexes were stored in MOD hangars - just in case they were needed for a force majeur!!

John

[bast0n]

Tipcap

As you can see it is looking straight down the disused, in my day, runway 17.

The usual runway was 23 which ran out of land half a mile to the west of the hovercraft slipway.

Hope this clears the old cobwebs!

This one is of a couple of Junglies coming in over the threshold of 05/23.
The hovercraft hangars and slipway can be seen under the handsome chaps.

David alias TBG

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/jsf_Photo_scan_3721.jpg

[[email protected]]

Interesting formation - is it called anything other than 23-ship same way, same day?;)

[bast0n]

Dear Crab

As someone much wiser than you or I has previously stated, this is probably the only thread on Pprune that has no acrimony or unpleasantness,so from your lowly position in the Queens junior air arm, put up or praise!:ok:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/img992.jpg

Or perhaps..................

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Wessexv.jpg

Let us have a look at the Crabs version - though I suspect no pictures will have been taken on Wednesday afternoons because of sport.....................:O

[bast0n]

Crab

My remarks about sports afternoons was probably a little harsh.:(

There is nothing wrong with playing Lacrosse, especially if you were good at it as I am sure you were. Any pictures of you in the full kit? Showing your little white knees would be a huge benefit to some of us:O

I enclose a couple of the Bulwark tiddleywinks team in Malta whilst we were concentrating on the withdrawal. No smutty comments please Crab! to encourage you to bare all..................:D

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/NavyPhotos72.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/NavyPhotos137.jpg

You must note that alcoholic beverages were banned and only Elderflower cordial was served,(in accordance with the orders from CinC near east at the time who was a King Crab|). That explains the grimace in picture two.David

[LOONRAT]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WiK1P1yRpLs/Tttl_INPDlI/AAAAAAAAABk/sb1stAVpFoE/s720/1969%252520Kyrenia%252520Mountain%252520Pad%252520%252520Cyp rus.jpg

Glad to hear all the 72 Sqn history still intact. Happy memories of being on 72 on my first tour flying the Wessex 63-69. Kevil under canvas, Sennybridge in winter, detachemnts to NI and Cyprus. A great machine to fly and operate. Approaching LP in Kyrenia Mountains during UN detachement 68.

[SASless]

Odd....as a CH-34, S-58T, or any Mark of Wessex....we loved them all! It says something about the basic design....she is a winner no matter how she is dressed!:ok:

[P6 Driver]

I'm not sure what makes the Wessex so loved by so many, but it helped to start my interest in aviation when I flew in one from the Stanford PTA in 1972/3.

As an Army Cadet on a weekend TA exercise, it was straight from the back of a Saracen APC and into the aircraft, at night. I had a seat opposite the cabin door and we were around 50' up before I knew what was happening. I had the opportunity to work closely with the type in later years, and always regarded it as "my" aircraft above all others except the mighty Sioux.

My only regret is that I never found out which aircraft I flew in on that first occasion, or which service it came from. Thanks to all for a very enjoyable thread.

[bast0n]

SASless

This one was the first Wessex FAW 1.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Midair01.jpg

Knocking down the free worlds finest VTO fighter, in IMC, with it's tail wheel.........

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Midair02.jpg

This one suffered from severe corrosion................

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/img977.jpg

What a piece of kit..............:ok:

[SASless]

That is getting entirely too close for comfort....like pants piddling close!:ooh:

[bast0n]

SAS

Yes all true but as wew were in cloud we were blissfully ignorant.........!:sad:

[Sandy Toad]

Couple of Wessex v Formation pix - with a difference. Close encounters with Fixed Wing 2 - slightly safer than your's Bast0n!

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/hankdxb/781Formation.jpg
781 at Lee on Solent 1974 or 75.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/hankdxb/781Formation.jpg

[stacey_s]

Ah! 'The Green Parrots'

S

[bast0n]

Happy Christmas all you Wessex lovers, and a wonderful New Year. D


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Arctic0166.jpg

PS - Pingers, insert holly as appropriate!

[Geoffersincornwall]

This Wx1 made an unscheduled arrival at CU.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6553931341_2317deaf6c_b.jpg

This group of reprobates were at a 'hospitality event' at Lanveoc Poulmic in 1969. Unfortunately Smudge Smith and Paul Hardcastle are no longer with us. Boy what an alcoholic weekend that was and what excellent hosts our French colleagues were. I managed a flight in the piston engine HSS1 which was very interesting.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6553913689_827b297773_b.jpg

A famous formation with two classic Wessi to admire.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6553913089_59a4dfa065_b.jpg

[bast0n]

Geoffers

You can tell that all those chaps in France are pingers - No medals!!

D

[Geoffersincornwall]

We were too good at keeping the enemy at bay to have any contact but when asked to help out we can do our bit. By the way the picture was taken during AFT so a bit difficult to earn a gong at that stage of your career. I think we earned a Legion D'Honeur for the amount of wine and whisky we heroically consumed in the cause of maintaining the Fleet Air Arm's reputation for partying at V-Max.

Two Wessex's lost
During the operation to retake South Georgia bad weather trapped SAS men on a glacier and a Wessex 3 and two Wessex 5's were sent to retrieve them. The first Wessex from H.M.S. Tidespring lifted off as the wind whipped up the snow but the pilot lost his bearing in the snow and crashed, skidding for some 50 yards and finally tipping over. The other two helicopters had now embarked their troops, so they lifted and landed next to the crashed Wessex and took on her aircrew and soldiers. Both aircraft dumped fuel to carry the extra load.

Visibility by this time was practically zero and the wind and snow had not abated. The helicopters lifted off. The Wessex 3, equipped with radar, took off with the Wessex 5 following astern and made their way down the glacier. Seconds later the helicopters traversed a small ridge and the Wessex 5 flared violently and struck the top of the ridge. It rolled onto its side and could not be contacted by radio. The remaining overloaded helicopter returned to the ship, some 30 miles away to the north and disembarked is passengers. The Wessex 3 returned to the crash site but was unable to land. They made contact by radio and confirmed there were no serious casualties.


The Wessex 3 returned to H.M.S. Antrim to wait for a break in the weather. An hour later an opportunity presented itself and the Wessex 3 flew back, embarked the survivors and flew back to H.M.S. Antrim piloted by Lt-Commander Ian Stanley RN, who was awarded the DSO.

Motto - when you need some professional help ask a pinger.

G.

[bast0n]

Geoffers..........

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!

a tiny bite for Christmas! but in truth that was a great bit of flying. (but he needed a looker to achieve the aim and saying nice things about them is going toooo far!)

Happy Crimbo, D

[Geoffersincornwall]

D.

Truth is that Pingers are all frustrated Junglies who would rather spend the night in the bar rather than in a fox-hole. But.... as the closest thing we have to brothers we would always be there for you.

Can't be a comfortable feeling for a jungly to be told he has to fly the crabs' cast offs but I guess the Merlin will be a step up from the dear old Squeeking. We can start a thread for that soon.

G. :)

[John Eacott]

Geoffers,

I was pulled off an IF trip with Mike Lehan to be No 2 (in 569) in that photo: I will try to find the colour copy off a magazine cover :cool:

Just to align SK and junglies, another Far East formation during join up: a little bit straggly from both camps ;)


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x538/helicopter_formation_0b4419e0fcaa01787cd557e60a44684a838b692 8.jpg

[AnFI]

The first Wessex ......lost his bearing in the snow and crashed

the (second) Wessex 5 flared violently and struck the top of the ridge

..... a break in the weather. An hour later an opportunity presented itself and the Wessex 3 flew back, embarked the survivors......

........ awarded the DSO. 'You Brits' crack me up!!

Tea and Medals anyone?

I know - it's all pretty impressive when you've got only 900 hrs - 'the kids today!' :rolleyes:

Wouldn't most people be embarrassed about that sort of screw-up?
Maybe doing something wrong?

(big fan of Wessex btw - how does it's performance/cost compare with a Lynx?)

[SASless]

Now they wuz at War with the Argies you remember.....and there is a certain amount of risk taking done during such periods of unpleasantness.

Mind you the Falklands are such a warm sunny tropical kind of place!

[Geoffersincornwall]

Every story should be placed in the right context. Here is a little more of the story. I'll post the full version of the citation if I can find it. When read I think you will re-assess the dear old Brits and their commitment to the task and to their comrades.

During the operation to retake South Georgia, bad weather trapped SAS men on a glacier and a Wessex 3 and two Wessex 5s were sent to retrieve them. The first Wessex lifted off as the wind whipped up the snow. The Wessex from RFA Tidespring lifted off, but the pilot lost his bearing in the snow and crashed, skidding for some 50 yards, with the Wessex tipping over. The other two helicopters now embarked their troops. They lifted and landed next to the crashed Wessex and took on her aircrew and soldiers. Both aircraft dumped fuel to carry the extra load.

Visibility by this time was practically zero and the wind and snow had not abated. The helicopters lifted off, and the Wessex 3, equipped with radar, took off with the Wessex 5 following astern and made their way down the glacier. Seconds later, the helicopters traversed a small ridge and the Wessex 5 flared violently and struck the top of the ridge. It rolled onto its side and could not be contacted by radio. The remaining overloaded helicopter returned to the ship, some 30 miles away to the north, and disembarked its passengers. The Wessex 3 returned to the crash site, but was unable to land. They made contact by radio and confirmed there were no serious casualties. The Wessex 3 returned to Antrim to wait for a break in the weather. An hour later an opportunity presented itself and the Wessex 3 flew back and embarked the survivors and was flown back to Antrim by Lt-Commander Ian Stanley RN, who was awarded the DSO.

The following night, 23rd April, 2 Section SBS was landed by helicopter. Five Gemini inflatable craft set out with troops of D Squadron's Boat troop aboard and two suffered engine failure. One of the crews was picked up by helicopter while the other crew got to shore. The Antrim group moved in again, on the 24th April, to drop off more troops and in doing so, located and beached the Argentine submarine Sante Fe. The Antrim's small company of Marines was landed following a hasty conference and the seventy-five Marines, SBS and SAS, under naval gunfire support, landed by helicopter. When they reached the settlement of Grytviken, they found white sheets fluttering from several windows. An Argentine officer complained to the SAS that they had just walked through his minefield. At 5:15am, the Argentine commander formally surrendered. The following morning, after threatening defiance by radio overnight, the small enemy garrison at Leith, along the coast, surrendered without resistance. The scrap merchants, whose activities had precipitated the entire war, were also taken into custody, for repatriation to the mainland. To complete the victory, a helicopter picked up a weak emergency beacon signal from the southernmost tip of the island, Stromness Bay. The helicopter homed in on it and found the lost three-man SAS patrol from the missing Gemini. They had paddled ashore with only a few hundred yards of land left between them and Antarctica. No British troops had been lost.

[AnFI]

where else can a young guy have such adventurous fun?

... and the Wessex a beautiful machine to do it in.

(but crashing must make it harder for everyone to perform their missions - why not train to the extremes and know what you can or cannot do?)

[Thud_and_Blunder]

AnFI, the training (think Ex Clockwork in the Norwegian Arctic, for starters) was way up there with anything then available around the world. The crews knew their kit, knew their limitations but also knew that if they did nothing then the untimely demise of the ground troops was assured. They went out, did their best and - ultimately, albeit expensively in terms of airframes lost - achieved their aim.

...ISTR it didn't do one of them any harm, he has so far risen to 3* rank in his parent service (which isn't RN).

[SASless]

A longer account of the South Georgia Operations.....note the comments that contain the words..."Ice", "Blizzard", "Snow", "High Winds". Also important for Helicopter Pilots....they bagged a Sub down there using helicopters!

South Georgia, Operation Paraquat - Falkland War 1982 (http://www.naval-history.net/F32paraquat.htm)

[John Eacott]

Further to SASless' link, there is a first hand account by one of the junglies in Chapter Six, South Georgia (http://books.google.com.au/books?id=kuYjpFPgwT0C&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq=south+georgia+wessex&source=bl&ots=VmgL1wXC_N&sig=U7batyvWbbE9DmGI4lPjfw7Inag&hl=en&sa=X&ei=iUr0TqaaHaeuiQfjhvTRAQ&ved=0CEIQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=south%20georgia%20wessex&f=false) of "No Sea too Rough".

Maybe AnFI would benefit from reading some background before shooting off at the mouth so comprehensively? :hmm:

[llamaman]

The Wessex was once described to me as 'like flying a council house from the upstairs toilet window'. Very apt I'm afraid (sorry old romantics).

[AnFI]

... book ordered, it better be better that the documentary on the subject.

... i have been aware of this exercise for some time - as well as other issues like spelling mistakes on aircraft in the region, B+ in Spanish from Oxfordshire.

All sounds like a lot of fun to me ... though of course i could be wrong ... will read chapter 6 and revert.

But how does the Wessex compare with the Lynx in capability/cost effectiveness?

[SASless]

It was the only helicopter that really kept me safe from the passengers and allowed me to look down on them as Pilots should. No one ever peeked over your shoulder for sure!

[Geoffersincornwall]

The trip up the side of a Wessex should not be taken lightly. If you are wearing a goon-suit then be careful when reaching over to open the transmission platform. A well tailored suit would need you to undo the rear zipper to provide some slack. Not taking this precaution would see you reach over to the support hand-grip and stretch the suit to its limits thus dragging the one foot supporting your weight off the step and leaving you fighting for survival supported by only one hand, followed shortly thereafter by a curse and a yell as you ended up comically piled up in an untidy heap beside your trusty steed.

It was bad form to do this in front of your 'looker' whose confidence in his erstwhile leader could take a nasty knock.

G. :E

[Savoia]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jgSVwMYyU2Q/TvVFXFF_mKI/AAAAAAAAG58/RkbujynEXBo/s640/Wessexful%252520Christmas.png

[bast0n]

Well done Savoia - this is your 1000th post and my favorite Wessex 5 picture.

It was taken near Bardufoss in the late 70s by that fabulous ariel photograher Richard Cooke - a great chap who liked to party! Look up his website and see the wonder of flight.

I know a bit about this picture as I was flying VA. Richard strapped his camera to the rear of a Gazelle of the Brigade Air Squadron RM using a purpose built mount as he had used Gazelles before. He fired the shutter with an air release tube taped to the fuselage.

He had to compose his shots by looking for a good background and then getting his pilot to fly away from it to get the shot he desired, but could not see!

There were one ot two problems as far as the Wessex pilot - me - had. We flew extremely close to the Gazelle, so close in fact that on occasion the Gazelle pilot could feel downwash. (the original photo shows more than Savoias and you can see how close the forward rotor blade tip is to the camera). Also the camera was pointing up with white tape around the lense - if you could not see the tape you were lined up. This meant that to see the camera lined up I was peering down the combing at a steep angle - not comfortable, and as the Gazelle turned or altered speed we had a lot more inertia than him and had to make some fairly sporty control inputs to avoid him. The temperature was below -20c but all three Wessex pilot were sweating like it was Aden in mid summer!

The debrief was suitably alchoholic - we were on duty free and Woods 100% rum is instant happiness!

Great days and some superb shots.

D

[Savoia]

Bast0n, Seasons Greetings!

Its a fine shot indeed and, with the effort involved, a somewhat remarkable achievement.

I've choreographed a number of aerial shoots (both stills and video .. without the benefit of gyrostabilisation) and know how challenging it can be to 'get it right' in a multiple aircraft set up.

Of Norway and Wessex .. I recall the late John 'Chalky' White retelling his tales of icing trials on the Wessex .. to the point where the main rotors began to lose effectiveness. It sounded most brave.

Wessex Memorabilia

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uN-heSkCywg/Tvs7OJXHj5I/AAAAAAAAG8A/S-kUKzY6GLA/s560/7helicopter019a.jpg

This snippet of Wessex memorabilia records the 'International Helicopter Rescue Competition' which was held between 14-18 June 1971 and which was evidently won by "B" crew in a Wessex Mk 1 XP160. The card appears to be signed by 'Powell'.

[CharlieOneSix]

The signature is FCH Powell. Chris Powell died of lung cancer in September 2008. As well as being a Wessex Junglie, amongst other things he was SAR at Lossiemouth on the Whirlwind at the time that Winkle Brown was the Captain there.

[Savoia]

Well I never!

Chris Powell was of course ex-Ferranti and I believe a former Commando role driver in the RN. He went on to fly for Gallifords (G-BAKS) before joining Ferranti in 1976. Evidently he moved to Aberdeen in 79-80 where he became S76 fleet manager with BCalH after Speechless Two (who formerly held this post) moved on to assume the fleet manager's role for the 214ST.

[Fareastdriver]

Chris Powell.

When Bcal was bought out by Bristow he went over the other side and flew the S76 line. He was only on it for a couple of yeras before the Big C got him and I lost trace.

[Cornish Jack]

Savoia - re. the Wessex and icing trials - not Norway but Canada in the mid 70s the A&AEE winter trials included a quadruple prismatic camera filming the rotor blades in flight. The movements recorded caused not a little 'interest' and one comment to the effect that "had I known that was what was going on I'd never have set foot in the :mad: thing!" Remarkably robust bit of kit!

[Savoia]

CJ: Thank you for the clarification. I was almost certain that Chalky had been seconded to Boscombe Down (where my godfather also flew as a test pilot) but had not recalled that these 'trials' had occurred in Canada.

If I remember rightly he mentioned that these events took place at around 10,000ft and that more than once the Nr droop was so severe that they had to effect autorotation during which process, descending into slightly warmer air, they were able to regain sufficient effectiveness on the blade airfoils so as to sustain the auto and ultimately cushion the landing!

As my godfather used to tell me .. he and his kind had to venture beyond the aircraft's boundaries in order to ascertain exactly where they were. No computer modeling in those days!

[sycamore]

Sav..,if you go to the `Rotorheads around the World` thread , post 299 (http://www.pprune.org/3541101-post299.html) ,you will find some photos of the Wessex/Wasp/Gazelle/Sea-King trials we did in Canada from early `69-`76..Chalky was flying a S-K one day in natural icing,at altitude,but generally stratiform cloud,when the main transmission oil-cooler/filter let go,covering the side of the aircraft in oil.Anyway, Chalky flew back to overhead the airfield,with all the crew ready to bale-out(as we always wore parachutes) and nobody believed the g/box would run dry for 30 mins,but it did,and put it back on the runway,calm as ever...

[SASless]

Something like this maybe....

eaE807WKN_8

[Cornish Jack]

SASless - precisely, except that the film showed all four blades via the prisms.
Sycamore - went looking for those photos you mention but couldn't find anything. I'm probably having yet another senior moment:ugh: However, I did find on Page 19 the Pathe newsreel of the Thorney Whirlwind ditching. We were shown that at Thorney as a warning about the perils of failing to check your fuel contents!! (Yep!! they ran out!!) := Boss driving and Grant Scroggins in the back, so the intermediate 2 crew stage between the Sycamore and the 3 crew Whirly 10. Such memories!

They're at RATW Post 299 (http://www.pprune.org/3541101-post299.html)
SP

[filthymutt]

Talk about long lasting threads... 2004 >> 2012? Wow:D

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.

[Cornish Jack]

Thank you SP - got it!:ok:

[soggyboxers]

Wessex in proper commando mode ;) (845 NACS Farnborough 1968)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Old%20Military%20Days/845NACSFarnborough19682.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Old%20Military%20Days/845NACSFarnborough19687.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Old%20Military%20Days/845NACSFarnborough19684.jpg

HMS Bulwark in Harstad, Norway on the first exercise Arctic Express, 1968. This was not without its perils, not from our cold war opponents, but from Norwegian power lines

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Old%20Military%20Days/HMSBulwarkHarstad1968-1.jpg

Exercise Grecian Vase, Cyprus 1969

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Old%20Military%20Days/StrimonRiverCyprus1969.jpg

There haven't been many photos of the Cr@bs Wessex here yet, so here's one at the 1971 Lurgan Tattoo

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/Old%20Military%20Days/LurganTattoo1971.jpg

[soggyboxers]

Some of the Wessex 60 in civil ops

Shell Warri, Nigeria, 1978

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/5N-ALFShellWarri1978-2.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/5NAJOonDeckBKShellWarri1978.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/BristowShellWarri1978-1.jpg

One for the Whirlwind lovers (also Shell Warri 1978

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/BristowS55ShellWarri1978-1.jpg

The S58T was similar (Figuera da Foz, Portugal 1977)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c361/evansniger/GBCTXPortugal1977-1.jpg

[SimonBrown]

Hope this in the right section...and of interest...

For those who don't know me, I'm an underwater photographer with an interest in all things submerged. Some of you may recognise the name from the recent story in Flypast about the Junkers Ju52 in Norway...or maybe not.

Recently I dived at the National Diving and Activity Centre near Chepstow. Sunk as diving attractions are couple of Westland Wessex, one of which is XT607. The conditions in the quarry that day were nothing short of stunning and one of the images I took of XT607 that day can be seen here:-

Westland Wessex XT607 (http://www.simonbrownimages.com/portfolio11.html)

This image is lit with three underwater flashguns, one on the camera and two remote, one being inside the fuselage and the other held by the diver.

Diving in the UK is not always this good...its rare...

The reason for posting is that I'm looking for former crew who would be willing to be interviewed about their experiences with XT607, or to see if anyone out there has any topside images of the helicopter in her heyday, either static or (better) in flight. By way of exchange, I would like to offer former crew a print of XT607 as she is today in return.

Often divers will visit an inland site like NDAC and swim around the attractions, blissfully unaware of their history. I hope that knowing just what XT607 got up to during her career will give a little education and insight into just what these pieces of military hardware did.

Either a PM here on the forum or email simon (at) simonbrownimages.com (replacing (at) with the @ symbol) will be fine.

[Hummingfrog]

Hi Simon

I flew XT607 between March 1980 and July 1982 and apart from an exercise in Germany in Sep 1980 she spent her time in Northern Ireland with 72 Sqn.

HF

[stacey_s]

Nice SB

Worked on all those Bristow 60'S,not sure about the 55 but probally did,I was in Warri 77 for a few months, who is the 'Grunt' coming out of the bush in the 55 shot? looks like Jimmy Peebles, but he was not there at that time unless I'm mistaken,or maybe Martin Holmes, Bills young nipper!! sorry Martin.

Regards

Stace

[bast0n]

Simon

Are you sure that it is not XT670? That one ended up in a lake and I can tell you quite a bit about it.

David.

[hillberg]

The rumble of a Wright 1820 in the S-58 -Love it, Old school in every way.

[Fareastdriver]

Are you sure that it is not XT670?

According to UK Serial Resource Centre XT670 is in the Hermeskell Museum, Germany.

[bast0n]

FED

Oh Bother! I meant XT760 which ended up in a lake round about November 1997.

Sorry.
D

[CharlieOneSix]

Bast0n - no, he's got the correct serial number. XT760 is underwater at the RN Diving School, Horsea Island, Portsmouth, having arrived there by road on 18 November 1997. It actually has the rear fuselage from XT604 which was an HC2.

[SimonBrown]

It turns out I have images of XT760 too...photographed that one in Horsea a few years ago...

Thanks to all with the info...PM sent...

[mphysflier]

Hope you don't mind this contribution - not from a pilot's perspective, but this is what makes me fond of the Wessex:

As a small child in the 1960s I spent several happy family holidays staying at the 'Hearts Content' bungalow at Praa Sands in Cornwall. Always a cause of huge excitement and frantic waving from the whitewashed wall at the front was the sound of an approaching Wessex flying low along the beach on it's way to or from Culdrose, and the mental image sits right there amongst the happy memories of wooden surfboards and raspberry mivvies!

http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt34/mphysflier/wessex2.jpg

Pretty sure I remember Whirlwinds doing a similar thing, too.

[cyclic]

and a Mirror dinghy underneath - them were the days!

[tezzer]

Westland Wessex HC2 XV720 Royal Air Force Helicopter | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westland-Wessex-HC2-XV720-Royal-Air-Force-Helicopter-/180813291595?pt=UK_CPV_Aviation_SM&hash=item2a194fe04b)

[John R81]

OK - £12k for XV720. So, who has the best story to tell about how they would use the aircraft such that a rich philanthropist happening on this thread will feel compelled to buy it for you?

[lsd]

Maybe doing 4 hours of training using XV720 ( 2 instrument sorties, a general handling sortie and a night navex) on 1st JANUARY 1969 could persuade a philanthropist that I was soft in the head and needed expensive rehabilitation!

Honestly can't recall how we celebrated Hogmanay just over the border in Northumberland in those days (can anyone?), but was really gobsmacked to find out from my bog-look that we ran a flying programme so intensive that day - but then we were the 1BR Corps helicopter bulwark against the Soviet onslaught.

And then in 1973 the boss decides we all need to go formation flying on 1st January- only volunteer to come with me was a cadet pilot from the ATC, possibly he needs the philanthropist more than me......

[heli1]

Does anybody know something about the origin of the painting of Wessex 60 G-ATCA by " A. Hindle " that I understand hung in the Bristow board room at Redhill in years gone by?
I believe the artist was a Bristow pilot ??

[batman1960]

G'day all...I am new to the forum, but also have a keen interest in the Wessex. Don;t quit know why, but a great looking aircraft me thinks:) Anyhow here is a pic of RAN Wessex Mk31B at the Eden Wharf in Southern NSW in 1986(RAN Official) This aircraft was evetually destroyed at the fireground at HMAS Albatross in Nowra NSW after being struck off charge. I can remember clearly watching the Wessex at airshows at Nowra in the 70's and 80's. They were quite a fixture here in their day, constantly flying up and down the coast. A real workhorse.


http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j466/eurocoast/Wessex/WessexoverCrookhavenHeadslighthouse.jpg

[Trojan1981]

Is that Eden? Nice shot batman!
Welcome to the forum.

Trojan (Rockus Droppus) :ok:

[batman1960]

No wrong Photo...this is over CrookHaven Heads!:ooh:

[batman1960]

Here it is...

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j466/eurocoast/Wessex/EdenJune301985.jpg

[Shawn Coyle]

Wondering if anyone has any cockpit photos of a Wessex 1? Particularly looking for pix of the two JPT gauges...

[sycamore]

Wx 1 only had one engine.......

[Shawn Coyle]

I know there was only one engine - the one we had at Boscombe when I was there (now at Duxford) had two JPT gauges - a 'normal' one, and a 'surge' one for use when opening the throttle (because the 'normal' one was so heavily damped it showed you yesterday's JPT).
I thought they all had two JPT gauges, but could have been just ours...

[Savoia]

.. because the 'normal' one was so heavily damped it showed you yesterday's JPT.Lol, excellent!

Would dearly love to have flown the Wessex (especially the all-powerful MkV) but thoroughly enjoy reading about all the marks and their exploits.

[sycamore]

Shawn,humble apologies as I have found a photo which shows 2 JPT gauges; if you try `www.futurshox.net` and search there;can also find it on `google`.
Can't remember seeing 2 gauges and I flew the 1 and 3 at BD,Bed ,and F`boro....probably didn't trust you Students,but then after the cartridge and AvPin start....!!

http://futurshox.net/aeroimagestamp-logo.php?dir=planes3&filename=wessex2-cp.jpg

http://futurshox.net/aeroimagestamp-logo.php?dir=planes3&filename=wessex4-cp.jpg

[CharlieOneSix]

This is cropped from a corner of a photo of the instrument panel in the Wessex HAS Mk1 at Duxford. I haven't flown a Mk 1 for well over 40 years but I don't recall two JPT gauges. Having said that, I sat in the cockpit at Duxford for a good 15 minutes and took this photo and never noticed there were two on XS863......

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l543/CharlieOneSix/wxjpt.jpg

This photo of a Wessex Mk3 panel shows only one JPT gauge:

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l543/CharlieOneSix/XS121-panel.jpg

[Shawn Coyle]

Thanx for the pix. 863 was the very machine!!
It ended up at Duxford after the AVPIN starter blew up on the first flight after Christmas leave. Took out not only some of the structure of the airframe, but a chunk of the tarmac too. Too expensive to repair, and it was the last one in service, so off to the museum.
Fortunately for those of us on D Sqn at the time, it was the boss who was flying it, so he couldn't blame us.

[76fan]

Shawn,
Now you have set a real problem. The operational Wessex 1 had only one JPT gauge but I have a dark and very blurred photograph of an ASW Wessex 1 cockpit taken about 1966 whilst in the hover .... the JPT reads 540 deg. and immediately above it is another temperature gauge which reads 3 on an arc which is marked EXH in deg C from 0 to 8 (00)? It appears to have a red line just above 4 and on tape below it reads something like "rear plate". Do I vaguely remember a limit of 410 or 420, or even 416 ?
Apologies, but I don't know how to upload the picture. I just cannot think what it could be .... is there an old pinger out there who maybe has the answer?!!

[sycamore]

S-P,thanks for the edit and pics..B

[Fareastdriver]

sycamore.

How many engines did the one you let me loose in have?

[sycamore]

F-E-D, got a date in mind,to prod the little grey cells...? Where was it anyway ?

[Fareastdriver]

Bedford; 24th Aug 1972.

[truslack]

Sorry for the thread bump, thought this may interest some of you. It appears to be XT469, which has stood in a rich blokes garden for the past few months, until he went bankrupt! Rumour has it she was being taken out to Blackpool.

Apologies for the bad quality of the video, riding while holding a mobile phone to record is quite difficult!

XT469 Westland Wessex - YouTube

[Senior Pilot]

Apologies for the bad quality of the video, riding while holding a mobile phone to record is quite difficult!

:eek: ;)

Quite a dedication to Rotorheads as a first post: well done :ok:

[truslack]

Hey, thanks for the comment, I found the forum while trying to find information about it.

This was the best image I could get, I think I'm right in saying it's XT469?

Photo here (http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/177183_10150954663136028_1797467318_o.jpg)

[Baldeep Inminj]

To answer the original question - what makes those who flew her so fond of her?

It may sound like a cop-out, but the answer is - if you didn't have the priveledge to fly her, you will never know.

She was unbelievably manoeuverable - pull up over a ridge, rack on 140 degrees of bank and pull down the other side then slam her wings level - she loved it. On a SAROP, winching at 50ft - if the winch-op asked for a 6" movement, you could do it - she was so stable in the hover with all the weight (engines and Cbox) in the nose. SH into a rough field - no problem - just zero speed her (with those balloon tyres and massive oleos) in to any site you like - no problem.

Why was she so amazing. Simple. Whilst she may not have been the best in the world at any one thing (and I bet she she was), she was really good at EVERYTHING.

The RAF have not been able to replace her for one simple reason - she can't be replaced. Our modern helo's are bland, specialised and compared to the Wessex - limited. They all do one thing perfectly - she did everything well. I know which I think is better.

[jayteeto]

I dont think Chinook drivers would agree with that.............

[Savoia]

rack on 140 degrees of bank
Oh really. One should love to see that!

[Hummingfrog]

Savoia

rack on 140 degrees of bank

As a display pilot on the old Wessex it was possible to overbank the old girl in a wingover. You had to carefully manage speed control so making sure you pulled up to slow her down - then overbank as you turned in a wingover - as the nose dropped you levelled and pulled out of the dive going in the opposite direction:E

HF

[Fareastdriver]

On a Puma you would have 140 degrees of bank looking up at the Wessex you had just bounced below you.

[Savoia]

Ah well. Some of us have clearly missed out! :(

[Sandy Toad]

I thought the only time Pumas reached 140 Degrees was when they toppled over.....:E

[SASless]

Igor got it very right with that design....and with the two very nice Gnomes in her....the Wessex she was really a good one! The 58T with the Pratt and Whitney PT-6-6's made for a very good ride as well.

[oldbeefer]

140 degrees in a Puma? That'll be Yaw-Roll Divergence then!

[bast0n]

Last time I did not achieve 140 degrees of bank in a WessexI had to change my laundry. I would love to see a photo of it being done..............

Oh - I have found one of me doing it after all.......................:ooh:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/140degreesbank.jpg


PS - a lot of you forgot my significant birthday - but presents still welcome!

[Savoia]

Bast0n, a great shot - as always.

Many happy returns.

Will raise a glass in your honour over lunch!

[SASless]

A few hours of training after the photo was taken....and Bas finally got the grip on hovering.

This video has been posted before....but it does add to the discussion about how the old Girls could dance in the right hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4xZIg6NNkw

[WASALOADIE]

He could teach Mike Lloyd a thing or two about wing overs!

[EESDL]

Hey Sheff - inverted in Walter - never - impossible - photos stay in the attic !:ok:

[SASless]

A dear fellow working at Bristow/Teeside late 70's had a bit of "Unusaul Attitude" recovery practice one night departing a pumping station homeward bound from the Ekofisk. Seems the cabin attendant walked on the overhead for a bit. The aircraft had a major rebuild after severe damage was found to the swash plate knuckles that almost resulted in the loss of the p/c links.

They are tough birds!

[Fareastdriver]

My knuckles used to get damaged in the Teeside Flying Club as well.

[TipCap]

SAS

Wasn't that a S58T?

TC

[Senior Pilot]

SAS

Wasn't that a S58T?

TC

SAS couldn't be trusted with the Wessex, but continues to live in hope ;)

:p

[CharlieOneSix]

Mrs C16 recently gave me a birthday present of this carved wooden model of my favourite mount from 1965. It's totally handpainted - no decals - and the fuselage is 15 inches long. Just superb and it brings back many happy memories.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l543/CharlieOneSix/Nice-Airplanes-Wessex-HAS1.jpg

[soggyboxers]

The Teeside incident was indeed an S58ET and I seem to remember that the unusual attitude was attributed to jack icing. The 58 on the Teeside contract was a bit different because Lawrence B had got his payload sums wrong and part of the resultant aircraft lightening programme was the removal of the bifilars. The 58T was normally smoother than the Wessex, but was much rougher after they were removed.
I'm getting a bit more ancient now and can't remember the name of the pilot, although I can remember his face clearly - a former crab Squadron Leader I seem to remember :confused:

[[email protected]]

They looked so much better all yellow:E

[CharlieOneSix]

Here's one for Crab - a Wessex is beautiful in any colours!

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l543/CharlieOneSix/nice_airplanes_westland_wessex.jpg

[SASless]

The fellow at Teeside was Rip Pearson as I recall.....who always seemed to have the last flight of the day.

Yes....the genius of Lawrence!

I can recall cheating on the sums and being able to offer two passengers. If we had done it the same way the GOM operators did it...we would have loaded up all the seats and gone full fuel....with the limiting factor being the ability to get the aircraft airborne with no consideration of maintaining flight on one engine.

Um is right.....I would have loved to have flown the Wessex but it was not to be.

[Walrus75]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CLr5PgaCSFU/TplF1UQylfI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/cXHb2p-ZTGg/s654/XT772%252520WW%252520Bat%25252078.jpgWestland Wessex HU5 XT772 'Green Parrot' of 781 Naval Air Squadron (for another [better] image of this craft see page 9 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/123915-what-about-wessex-makes-people-so-fond-9.html)) departing Battersea Heliport in 1978 (Photo: Anton Heumann)
Nice to see the RN Ensign on the nose.
Originally posted last october here at post no228 --> http://www.pprune.org/6752024-post228.html

Wasn't she known as "The Admirals Barge"? That particular old dear (don't ask how I remember the tail number, some just seem to stick in the mind for some odd reason) ended up nailed 20 feet up on the inside wall of the SARTU/22 Sqn hangar at RAF Valley as a winching/procedural training aid in '84/'85-ish. The lecky system was re-hashed to roughly correlate with the maintenance manuals. Hyds were provided for the winch from a noisy old Mk2 hyd rig. I'm led to believe that she's no longer there... but even now I still use a small lamp, that I pinched from her, as a makeshift voltage tester :)
Fantastic thread Gents. :ok:

[CharlieOneSix]

.........ended up nailed 20 feet up on the inside wall of the SARTU/22 Sqn hangar at RAF Valley as a winching/procedural training aid in '84/'85-ish.

ukserials.com website agrees with you - it went to Valley on 24/2/84 and if you click on the reg on that site there is a photo of it hanging on the wall!

[Walrus75]

Cheers C16, Oh my, that photo brings back some interesting memories :)

[Sandy Toad]

Walrus - Admiral's Barge was more often used for the fixed wing.
The Heron at Yeovilton was FONAC's (Flag Officer Naval Air Command) Barge.
The Wessex Vs were the Green Parrots. They even had a slot by the cabin door for the appropriate metal flag plate denoting the Flag Rank of the passenger to be dropped into.
Woe betide you if you made a mistake with the number of Balls the Admiral merited!
Sad to see the ultimate fate of XT 772 but I guess if you give something to the Crabs to look after.... :E

[Walrus75]

Ah, cheers for clearing that up ST.

[LilMsJordy]

Hi,
My father is Joseph Holden, the Private Holden that you mention in your post.
I have just started researching into what happened that day, as my father talks very little about it. I'd love to know if you have anymore pictures, or indeed if anyone reading this thread knew my father when he was in Aden.
Thank you so much for posting....
Lindsey

[CharlieOneSix]

Just to clarify Lindsey's post immediately above - it refers to my post about a fatal Wessex accident in the Radfan in 1964 (Post 263 on page 14). I'm in contact with the two surviving crew members out of the three on board - one passed away about 4 years ago - and am trying to find out more details of what happened that day for Lindsey. Her father was one of the survivors of the accident.

[Nigel Osborn]

C16
I see in that report that you mention the 'late Paul Kingston'. I knew him well many years ago but didn't know he had passed away; can you tell me when & why? Private email if you want.

[Savoia]

More Wessex ..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OOdHBB0O2CA/UKHmVmu13LI/AAAAAAAAKdk/0AhzlaXRZws/s510/G-AXXD+17+Aug+73.jpg
A 'White Top' Wessex (aka Green Parrot or Admiral's Barge), used for liaison duties by senior Royal Navy types and most probably a Mk V, departs Battersea Heliport in London on 17th August 1973 and overflys a 'parked' Hughes 300 (G-AXXD) belonging to Twyford Moors Helicopters

Given the year, one has to assume there is a possibility that PPRuNer Sandy Toad was at the helm of this 'barge'!

For a better shot of a Green Parrot check out post #166 on page 9 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/123915-what-about-wessex-makes-people-so-fond-9.html) of this thread.

[PANews]

The Hughes 269 G-AXXD was on contract with the Metropolitan Police when it stalled into the Thames whilst making a hurried exit from Battersea because Ted Heath [the Prime Minister] was coming into land at the heliport. No significant injuries involved.

There was never a specific report on the type the PM was travelling in so perhaps it was the Wessex?

[Sandy Toad]

Sorry Savoia just before my time, I was still a Junglie with 848 NAS until end of October '73.
From the photo it looks as though the Hughes had dropped long before the Parrot flew over - unless he came back later to gloat over his prey! ;)

[PANews]

The police were doing their usual trick of selecting the cheapest option, they changed from Air Gregory at Denham to South Coast based Twyford Moors.... downgrading from 269C to 269B models that were a little challenged in the performance arena. This was a third performance related incident with the same helicopter in a week and it placed the Twyford Moors contract with the Metropolitan Police in jeopardy.

At 0740hrs the Hughes took off from Radlett piloted by John Evans and headed for Battersea Heliport where the helicopter landed normally at 0810hrs. The Hughes took off from Battersea without any problems arising. Unfortunately it had to return to the pad when the observer discovered that the police radio was inoperative. Once landed it was the work of only a few seconds to trace the fault to a loose connector.

As stated the second departure went wrong at 0845hrs.

About 30 yards downstream, 15 yards from the riverbank, G-AXXD hit the water heavily. It was fortunate that the tide was on the ebb. Amid much splintering of parts, the machine came to rest in 2 feet depth of flowing water.

A recovery team was brought in and by 1230hrs on a rising tide the shattered remains of the helicopter were clear of the river. The AAIB decided that AXXD was 50 pounds overweight for the temperature conditions that had crept up as the Hughes sat at Battersea.

So it seems that image of the Wessex was taken some time between 9am and Noon which tends to further suggest the likelihood that it was the h/c used on the Ted Heath flight.

[heli1]

Good sleuthing PA News. I checked the Battersea visitors book for that date but nothing recorded,probably because Heath had visited before and had already signed it.

[Savoia]

Heli1: If you have access to the Battersea visitors books would you be able (at some point) to post a selection of names and dates when notable/interesting visitors passed through (perhaps on the Nostalgia Thread)?

Would be much appreciated.

[CharlieOneSix]

heli1 - see my post here: http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-86.html#post7519210 (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-86.html#post7519210)
If I'm right and the G-AXXD incident was in 1974 not 1973 then it might explain the lack of Ted Heath's signature in the visitors book for the 1973 date.

[PANews]

I have all three incidents listed as 1973

11.08.1973 Hughes 300B G-AXXD. Metropolitan Police, London. Twyford Moors hired helicopter. Exhaust bracket failure in flight resulting in forced landing at Kidbrook. No injuries.

13.08.1973 Hughes 300B G-AXXD. Metropolitan Police, London. Twyford Moors hired helicopter. Loss of control in cross-wind whilst landing at Radlett. Heavy landing but no damage or injuries.

17.08.1973 Hughes 300B G-AXXD. Metropolitan Police, London. Twyford Moors hired helicopter. Loss of power/lift in over-weight take off from Battersea Heliport resulting in crash landing into River Thames, airframe write-off and slight injury.

I do not have immediate access to the Evening Standard clipping for the dousing and just to confuse things the other stored image I have of AXXD on floats is a wrong wrong wrong 1975.....its going to be 1972 ....

1973.

[heli1]

Hi Savoia...Nice thought to put names on thread but huge task.The book covers the first 20 years of the heliport from 1959 to 1978...with autographs of everyone from Duncan Sandys to Harold Wilson to Maggie Thatcher,Peter Sellers to Mick Jagger to Brian May and other famous celebrities,Radio One's Tony Blackburn and Pete Murray etc ,Miss World 1971 to Typist of The Year 1978, Jackie Stewart and other well known racing drivers and sportsmen , and foreign and UK Royals including Prince Charles etc etc.
The book is kept with various early documentation about the heliport plans and eventual development for the Helicopter Museum archive.

[Savoia]

Heli1: I shall try and make a visit to the museum on my next visit to Blighty.

[TipCap]

SASless

Thought the S58T incident at Teeside concerned Bill Oliver but my memory might not be as good as it should be.

TC

[soggyboxers]

TC,

Yes, you've restored my memory now: it was Bill Oliver :ok:

[Savoia]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J8xF_4RqY28/UM7SAiWc-oI/AAAAAAAALBI/5oApQN1znqg/s790/RAF+Westland+Wessex+HC2+XV724+Bex%2C+Switzerland+1980+%28Ger ald+Helmer%29.jpg
RAF Westland Wessex HC2 XV724 at Bex in Switzerland in 1980 (Photo: Gerald Helmer)

Any assistance with identifying the Squadron to which this craft belongs would be much appreciated.

[chopper2004]

Savoia,

Looks like No 18 (B) Sqn from RAF Gutersloh :)

Cheers

[Savoia]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FNqO1c_MXA8/UM7dccJ9AKI/AAAAAAAALBY/_-A3PBXgsyk/s248/18%2520Sqn%2520p.png

Ah yes, 18, the Pegasus! Well done Chopper.

Now I recall that we have in fact 'dealt' with them before on this thread.

"With Courage and Faith"

[4468]

Having spent nearly four years on 18, I always thought 'animo et fide' meant 'Don't feed the animals'!!!:eek:

[Bravo73]

Lifted from AH&N (which was originally lifted from Military Aircrew):

Decomisioned Ex RAF Westland Wessex HC2 Cargo Helicopter aircraft XR506 ex72 Sqn | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Decomisioned-Ex-RAF-Westland-Wessex-HC2-Cargo-Helicopter-aircraft-XR506-ex72-Sqn-/130823654360?pt=UK_CPV_Aviation_SM&hash=item1e75b28bd8&clk_rvr_id=429607571633&afsrc=1)

[johnwilli]

Sorry about the quality of this picture. It was scanned from a slide taken in 1969 or 1970. Think it was during exercise 'Bersatu Padhu' but the old brain is a bit fuddled !!

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8VU3oUQr8Y7a3daZFJBMzBmR2c

( For some reason I am not allowed to post attachments, haven't got a clue why this is ).


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/850x534/wessex3_641b871562ffd0a62f1310d0d3eff0d32bbff852.jpg

[Grumpyasever]

Seem to remember most of the "Crab" Wessex looked like this throughout Bersatu Padu!

[94RN81]

Hello everyone,

I am an enthusiast for Steyr-Puch Haflingers. These small off-road vehicles were built in Austria from 1959 to 1974 and they were also used as tugs for Wessex helicopters on the decks of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark (and maybe on other ships as well). These "Navy-Haflingers" had a special towing device with drawbar couplings both on the front and on the rear of the vehicle. I do have some information online on my website at:

Steyr Puch Haflinger TDC - Royal Navy (http://tdc.haflinger-4wd.com/types/royalnavy.php)

Is there anyone who can recall Haflingers? I am looking for any interesting information and especially for historic pictures, in which Haflingers can be seen. I'd love to hear from you! Please send a PM or contact me via my website.

Kind regards,
Constantin

[Nigel Osborn]

I have some photos of a Haflinger on Albion in 1964. I'll try to work out how to send it to you!

[SASless]

"With Courage and Faith"

Pretty well sums up helicopter flying in general!

[anotherpruner]

Apologises if these have already been posted -

3k88VvVGi04

Q1lMsiYrCmQ

Some footage of the Wessex retirement in 2003 :(

anotherpruner

[Savoia]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KlO5jl6oCLg/UThg615VRlI/AAAAAAAAMIQ/9fN9ZBzhJTE/s810/RN+WW+HAS1+XM330+Farnborough+10+Sep+66+%28Tony+Hancke%29.jpg
Royal Navy Westland Wessex HAS1 XM330 as seen at Farnborough on 10th September 1966 (Photo: Tony Hancke)

This seems like an early model Wessie (without the 'double' chin) and I have some questions please about various 'bits' on her:

The wheels seem to have some sort of guards over them. With fixed wing these are used to stop stones from being thrown-up when operating from 'rough' strips - the Cessna Citation (various models) has such a device but what (pray tell) were these used for on the Wessex?

Also, what are the 'little red boxes' fore and aft of the main rotor (on the cab roof)?

I am also wondering what is being slung beneath the craft and finally .. to which Squadron does she belong as there do not seem to be any obvious Squadron markings.

[John Eacott]

The underslung load is a fire fighting module: foam, IIRC.

The XM330 was an RAE machine, so would have been equipped with all sorts of esoteric stuff that wouldn't have reached front line, so the orange objects around the head could be anything! They somehow remind me of the Whoodat system on the RAN Wessex HAS31, anyone remember that?

The covers over the wheels remind me of some I saw that basically provided something to stand on, eg hover stuff where the wheel (if not locked) would turn and not be too user friendly.

The intake was the standard HAS1 intake for the Napier Gazelle turbine. The HAS3 had a couple of iterations, the main difference being to accommodate the two pressure capsules for engine starts. The HU5 (and RAF Mk2) had yet another nose, to accommodate the intake and filter for the twin Gnomes.

And someone else will know another reason and correct any mistakes, I'm sure!

[Fareastdriver]

Dunno what the wheelguards are for.
Anti-collision lights?
The tank underneath looks like a foam cylinder for the fire fighters. I did a similar thing at Farnborough in 1972 where if an aircraft splashed in off the airfield we would rush off with a fire crew and foam bucket.
Could well have been on strength of Boscombe, (anti-colls?).

[stacey_s]

How about protectors to shield the tires from the exhaust of the Gazelle engine in extended hovering????

[sycamore]

The mudguards may have been fitted if the aircraft was used to trial weapons ,ie Sneb pods,AS/SS 11/12 similar to the WX HU5 fit.
The `things` on top may have been early anti-coll. lights ,or maybe early RWR filters..
`330 is now at the Heli Museum in W-s-M..

[bast0n]

At the risk of being an anorak I have looked up the history of XM330 in the fantastic book by Lee Howard and others, isbn 978-0-85130-304-8 Fleet Air Arm Helicopters since 1943! Savoia you really NEED this book!

XM330 as mentioned was indeed a Handling Squadron at Boscombe Down and was painted in dark blue with a very jazzy white lightning flash full length.

She did lots of trials here and abroad including SS11 - hence the mudguards - and lots of other armament trials through 1962 and onwards. SAR at SBAC show inSeptember 1976 hence the underslung foam generator.

Last airworthy Wessex HAS 1. Avpin explosion on start in June 1982 and retired June 1983.

All the above from Lee Howards book that is amazing. If you have ever had a "moment" in a FAA helicopter it is all here - just look up your name at the back and off you go!

[mandylifeboat]

Sycamore - any idea what happened to XM300 after we'd abused it at Bedford for many years?

[sycamore]

It is `stored` somewhere near Cardiff,after spending some time at the Wales Aviation Museum,now defunct..Look up `RAF Serials ,or `google`,looks like someone tried a bit of repainting...
PM for U

[sycamore]

basTon, thanks for confiming the `mudguards`,as I thought I`d seen them fitted to a 5..

[zetec2]

Good to see the memory still works well re the Wessex Brian, trust your well & still aviating, B Rgds, PH, zetec2.

[sycamore]

Apologies ,David, it should have been `bastOn....
Z2,I`ll get to you later...the red was a little stronger...blah bla.....ummmmmmm

[Savoia]

Some terrific responses! :ok:

I thought that Nigel Osborn had demonstrated a Wessex in around '66 at Farnborough .. or have I thoroughly confused both people and dates?

[bast0n]

Dear Nigel may have thought that he demonstrated a Wessex 5 at Farnborough in 1964 but actually the whole of 848NACS was there drinking for Britain and staying at an Army mess called the Red House. I wonder if it ever recovered? We all had Triumph Tina scooters, in a fetching shade of mauve, and I still bear the scars and lost all the pretty bits on the buttons on the front of my uniform as I skidded down the road face down.

Happy days - do you want to know more?

Don't mention Battle of Britain day at Biggin Hill shortly after.................Oh dear.................16 aircraft run in and break but who had forgotten his crossfeed cock and had a double fuel warning and left from the middle of the pack in an explosion of excitment brought on by incompetance!!

[Nigel Osborn]

Sav,
I knew that remark would get a response from bastOn! My comments were exactly the same as bastOn, i.e. 848 & 1964, except I never fell off my Tina scooter.:ok:

[Savoia]

Ah well, some healthy tomfoolery going on by the sound of it!


Happy days - do you want to know more?


Lol! Is water wet, is the sun hot .. is the Pope Catholic? Of course .. in these 'HAS' (health and safety) been days the only 'fun' one can have is to recall times when freedom was greater so please, tell away!

But .. I am wondering .. just as we have made associations between the Wessex and her crews in pages past .. are we here about to uncover another Wessex crew trait and .. in this case .. could it be one between the Wessex and bad behaviour? ;)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mI2W9ltuC4M/UT2YpouEjlI/AAAAAAAAMSI/YJQyU2joGP8/s630/Stamford+PTA+teaching+squaddies+how+to+get+on+a+Wessex+%28ca rl+gavin%29.jpg
........ Stamford PTA teaching squaddies how to scale a Wessex (Photo: Carl Gavin)

[John Eacott]

The mudguards may have been fitted if the aircraft was used to trial weapons ,ie Sneb pods,AS/SS 11/12 similar to the WX HU5 fit.

The Wessex HU5 fit:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/5350-1/Wessex+weapons+platform.jpg

[bast0n]

Well John - all very interesting............

But - Why were there tyre marks across the hall table at the Red House mess......? and indeed upstairs as well..............?

What about what was going on on the billiard table at the mess at Biggin Hill after Battle of Britain Day 1964................? Twice............!

and who ate Freds Crabfatty pie.....................?

Who drove his Tina scooter, sitting on it backwards, across the dispersal as a famous Crab aerobatic team were taxiing out...................?

Armament platforms were just a distraction...............:O

[helidoris]

Hi . we are in the process of bringing this back to the UK to make it fly again. I'm ex 72sqn.

[John Eacott]

Well John - all very interesting............

But - Why were there tyre marks across the hall table at the Red House mess......? and indeed upstairs as well..............?

What about what was going on on the billiard table at the mess at Biggin Hill after Battle of Britain Day 1964................? Twice............!

and who ate Freds Crabfatty pie.....................?

Who drove his Tina scooter, sitting on it backwards, across the dispersal as a famous Crab aerobatic team were taxiing out...................?

Armament platforms were just a distraction...............:O

Bast0n,

Droll, very droll. But what would we pingers know about such carryings on? :p

[bast0n]

John - well yes!!

Don't forget the depth charges, torpedoes, cabin mounted machine guns and the great fun 2" RP.........................:O

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/WessexV0111.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/WessexV019-1.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/jsf_Wx5_Rocketing-1.jpg

[Savoia]

Great stuff John/Bast0n!

Pray tell what is 'Wazing'?

Also .. the Wessex guns seem a little small. What calibre were they please?

From another thread:

Out of interest - what is the longest that a widely used offshore helicopter has been grounded due to a manufacturer related fault?

The Wessex - it NEVER flew again!

What was it about the civilian Wessex which caused it to be grounded and which (apparently) did not affect the military Wessex?

[bast0n]

Ah well Savoia - wazing is just getting up there for the hell of it - no particular task - dare I say going looking for nudists - female in case you are asking - whistling about the world with no task in particular except the sheer enjoyment of the moment. If you can get a lowflying complaint along the way so much the better!!:O

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/WessexV015.jpg
The Grey Baron coming to see a champagne breakfast on Green Island Vieques during a major exercise - well you do have breakfasts like these don't you?

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Photoscan3508.jpg

Looking for sunbathers.............:O



Oh and one of the 2" RP pointing at an important building............

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Photoscan3469.jpg


Cabin guns .'762 and useless, but fun for having a go at pheasants at Castlemartin.

[Madbob]

Baston - Photo 1 showing the delights of a Banyan I think you fish-heads called a jolly run ashore when it involved a nice tropical beach and a BBQ:ok:.

Never had the pleasure when cruising Grey Funnel :{ but maybe I should have joined the FAA not the RAF.

I guess that these must be now a pretty rare event; do they still happen? Can't be very good use of the tax-payers' defence budget I suppose with 250+ matelots having fun on a beach with multi-million ££££ HMS ??? lying at anchor being used as a yacht!

MB

[bast0n]

Madbob -

Can't be very good use of the tax-payers' defence budget I suppose with 250+ matelots having fun on a beach with multi-million ££££ HMS ??? lying at anchor being used as a yacht!


How dare you Sir! We were all aircrew exhausted by the continual round of CTPs and were carrying out training to find out what being close to sea felt like. We could then insult the Pingers with a modicum of knowledge.It was also in the middle of a major UK USA amphibious exercise:) PS note my ski boat that I carried on board to help us keep fit in a. starting the Johnson outboard and b. skiing................

and yes- you should have joined the FAA - the gentleman's flying club - well as far as the Junglies were concerned.

[oldbeefer]

Matched the personal equipment of the Navy pilots that flew them, I guess!

[Dave B]

Savoia

From my recollection, no authorities grounded the civilian Wessex, the grounding was a voluntary act by the only operator, (Bristow), after the accident to G-ASWI.

[bast0n]

Old Beefer

Matched the personal equipment of the Navy pilots that flew them, I guess!

I bet you bent over backwards to think of that one.....................:O

(or perhaps personal experience?)

[Fareastdriver]

the grounding was a voluntary act by the only operator, (Bristow),
Correct. They immediately went on the market. No takers though.

[ShyTorque]

Can anyone explain why the Wessex Fleet at RAF Shawbury (Advanced Flying Training School) in the 1970s/80s consisted of ex RN Mk 5s, rather than the Mk 2s in RAF operational service?

In certain light conditions, looking down the sides of the fuselages it was still possible to see the "ROYAL NAVY" logo under the paint.

[bast0n]

It seems to have been reported that the shaft between the engines and the gearbox failed - I think they mean the shaft from the coupling gearbox and the main rotor gearbox. That is the one that would flail around and cause havoc.

Quite dreadful..............

[John Eacott]

We could then insult the Pingers with a modicum of knowledge.

Out of the mouths of babes :p

Then there were the helicopter gymkhanas, treasure hunts, and other general wazzing around stuff: not entirely unknown to the gentlemen aviators of the rotary pursuit groups :ok:

How dull it must be these days to have to be so PC :(

[Dundiggin']

hey soggyboxers! Crabs are acalling!! The crewman who threw himself out of the Wessex was 'Gentleman' John Mayes who now lives in France somewhere. I was on Pumas at the time and had to search for the two parts of the door. We found one of them in a farmer's field - don't know what happened to the other bit though.
Great days eh?

[heli1]

The Helicopter Museum ended up with all of the surviving 60s and still have two. The others were stripped for spares .

[Savoia]

Bast0n: Your wit and your photographs are, as always, immensely enjoyable! :ok:

Dave B: Many thanks for your feedback.

[Savoia]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JWWevcwJUqY/UWpcRGhPUsI/AAAAAAAAM-4/6S3ctXKscsA/s243/846.png
.. "Always Threatening"

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y-pUoE0k1mQ/UWpczY_yoUI/AAAAAAAAM_M/zxjLUa7yEtM/s803/WW+HU5+RN+XS480+846+Sqn+RNAS+Culdrose+9+Jan+69+%28Ian+Macdon ald%29.jpg
Royal Navy Westland Wessex HU5 XS480 of 846 Sqn receives a wash at RNAS Culdrose on 9th January 1969 (Photo: Ian Macdonald)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-23CtB3AvLFA/UWpcyu-IX_I/AAAAAAAAM_k/EvoU_i9wvK8/s761/WessexHU5_846Sqn_XT760+Norway1981.jpeg
Royal Navy Westland Wessex HU5 XT760 of 846 Sqn during a joint forces cold weather airlift exercise on 1st February 1981

846 .. what a threatening bunch they are! ;)

[John Eacott]

Looking back on the Farnborough dits from Nigel and Bast0n, I'm not sure if I posted this from the Farnborough programme in 1968:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/8125-2/845+Farnborough.jpg

[TipCap]

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv287/kernow_lad/bac13_zps96d3e3be.jpg

If anyone is interested, the Bulwark, Albion and Centaur Reunion 2013 is taking place at Royal beach Hotel, Southsea over the weekend 10th - 12th May 2013.

More info from Members Area - Bulwark, Albion and Centaur Association (http://www.bulwarkassoc.co.uk)

[ambidextrous]

As a former pongo I'm almost embarrassed to invade this thread but here go's! Snaps taken when 848 had a sick 'Sprout' on it's patch and ambi was detailed to help glue it together again.:ok:


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RsPidczLEPs/UZNdnYOLrOI/AAAAAAAANlE/HjaV7Lw0Zz4/w864-h575-no/Whirlwind+MK+XJ760+Bario+FOB+Sarawak+1966.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5zDMREST8yw/UZNdnC2pLxI/AAAAAAAANlA/FivUONzPYVg/w864-h580-no/Wessex+XS523+Bario+FOB+Sarawak+1966.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m4kyZLqkDqI/UZNdle2tpfI/AAAAAAAANk8/V0j9lEc6BCI/w864-h580-no/Wessex+Bario+FOB+Sarawak+1966.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ry3qpAi06OA/UZNdkVZkOEI/AAAAAAAANk0/yNgNRoFuVns/w864-h575-no/Medical+Post+Bario+Borneo+1966.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LNFVJoJXEbg/UZNdkuU33GI/AAAAAAAANks/tP-C2B9P4j4/w864-h575-no/Bario+Sarawak+1966.JPG

[Fareastdriver]

I'm surprised the POs hadn't flogged it.

[Nigel Osborn]

Good to see those photos of the Wessex MkV from 848 Squadron off Albion in 1965/66. This was before the horrible droop nose was fitted. The Sprout is a series 10 RAF Whirlwind after one of their heavy landings.:ok:

Come to think of it both BastOn & I must have flown those Wessex!

[Bertie Thruster]

Recent pics of some Wessex 5 parts, in cold storage.

(from either YA or YF, not sure which.)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i97/nmhsu/P3201279_zps873f1981.jpg (http://s70.photobucket.com/user/nmhsu/media/P3201279_zps873f1981.jpg.html)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i97/nmhsu/20130405-20130405-IMG_7976_zps10f50db1.jpg (http://s70.photobucket.com/user/nmhsu/media/20130405-20130405-IMG_7976_zps10f50db1.jpg.html)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i97/nmhsu/P3201277_zps4351b1d6.jpg (http://s70.photobucket.com/user/nmhsu/media/P3201277_zps4351b1d6.jpg.html)

[bast0n]

My photobucket seems to have gone tits up. Anyone have an alternative?

[Savoia]

Ciao Bast0n

Both of these are fairly good photo-hosting sites:

Picasa (http://picasa.google.com/)

Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/)

[B1-3]

I hated fitting those elephants feet.

Very nice photos though, 30 years and still standing (just)

Respect to the wessex.:D

[bast0n]

Savoia - thanks for that. This is my first go with Picasa. Rather a fun shot showing loadlifting before the dreaded 8 foot strop that slowed everything down..................go and look out some Bario shots now.



https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WgqSVPp5Rsc/UZXsVXM70OI/AAAAAAAAAAg/JAyFssL3R4s/w608-h412-no/2Image7+%252833%2529.jpg

[heli1]

They never did rebuild that Whirlwind 10 above,which crashed due to engine failure on approach to the landing pad in September 1964. It had only done about 500 hrs TT too!
Shame about the South Georgia Wessex bits. That nose door would look good hanging up in the Helicopter Museum.

[ambidextrous]

Any veteran ppruners present in the Khasab peninsula late 1970? Combined air/sea assault including SAS & SOAF on what was said to be an operation to flush out Chinese trained guerrillas? Defence Minister at the time was reported as saying that the operation never occurred, funny that!



https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-X7G0CzwEpRo/UZXl45Ged1I/AAAAAAAANoc/IlcbOgouk0M/w920-h612-no/Khasab+Oman+1970.JPG


And the Mothership begat a Sprout, both reported to be well.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-okiWuxbJwM4/UZXl5KSjGmI/AAAAAAAANok/OFa3_JxRi5o/w920-h613-no/Khasab+Oman+2+1970.JPG



SOAF Seeb airport Oman 1970 :ok:


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VGS7Y9fvwL8/UZXl5fyvsOI/AAAAAAAANoo/cKMr6AHHbU4/w920-h613-no/SOAF+Seeb+Oman+1970.JPG

[bast0n]

If you look carefully - after a little while you will notice a Wessex in the background!

These are the Poonans, a super friendly helpful wandering tribe.


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/8752606955_e2b950155f_b_d.jpg

[bast0n]

31 years ago today we lost some fine men and ships. My handful of Wessex 5s also sank but good old Bravo November did not, and still is I believe doing a wonderful job.

Raise a glass tonight to all those who did not come back.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll301/tallbronzedgod/Wessex/3321a107-ce96-4263-8ad4-fd33a7340906.jpg~original

[geebee50]

Around 1993 I was tasked to investigate from a police perspective and after a Unit Inquiry the incident of a Wessex striking a type 42 destroyer HMS Glasgow. I travelled to Leuchars more or less on the same week the Sqn was being disbanded to start inquiries and managed to secure some docs and thereafter chased the ship around various ports to get witness statements.

Does anyone recall this incident? I do and you could not make it up. From the pilots not knowing what a destroyer looked like other than Janes Defence Manual to the winchman throwing flour bombs onto the bridge whilst the aircraft was about to strike the ship completely, resulting in one very damaged front radome on the ship and a bent tailwheel on the Wessex.

I will not mention the pilots names but they could have been character names in Trumpton. I investigated many other mid air and ground incidents each with its own unique story and with some sad endings. This post does not aim to suggest any wrong doings as these issues are already in the public domain or not.

[ShyTorque]

So was it Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, or Grubb? :confused:

[geebee50]

Trump could be one, but as I intimated, could have been characters in Trumpton.

[Cabe LeCutter]

GeeBee, I think that your post was a little over the top as far as damage was concerned. There was only a skid mark on the raydome and damage was not discovered until the ship tried to pressurise for an NBC exercise. The crew (or the Wheels) did not know until the ship sent a signal warning that there may have been an impact.
No argument over your other points though. Just for the record, I was not that man, but I did have a giggle.:p:p:p:p

Heads down, look out for the flack

[Bertie Thruster]

Odd subject and tone for a first post?

Cabe's 'perspective' sounds more informed and less emotional than geebee50's.

[John Eacott]

Besides, none of us carried Janes, it was too bulky.

Big Boys Book of Ships was the standard reference book :p

[Bertie Thruster]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSArz8uFXYZWYOnwsJ2GqPLV-T3Wa4RMtH2GT11-01K3a5Idt43XQ

[bast0n]

Puts me in mind of a very well known Jungly pilot who knocked the radio airiel of the wing - yes the fender for you SASless - in front of the windscreen of a moving car crossing Goonhilly Downs with the main wheel of a Wessex5. The doctor driving the car just rang Culdrose and asked if the chaps would perhaps fly a couple of feet higher in future, and no further action was taken....................happy days indeed:O

[ShyTorque]

There was only a skid mark on the raydome

I'll wager a few other skid marks were found..... :E

[Myra Leese]

GB 50,

I can only assume that you are unaware that one of the people you are poking fun at passed away in tragic circumstances a couple of years ago and your post could be considered in bad taste.

For the record, there was only one pilot, it was the flight and not the Squadron which disbanded and the whole exercise was pre briefed and agreed with the ship(including the flour bombs!)

The incident was a result of a visual illusion created by the conditions on the day and when the pilot repeated the profile in a simulator he hit the (simulated) ship again I believe. The whole crew returned to flying after the incident and continued for some time in the SAR world but are all now retired.
The 'hats off' interview with AOC 18 Gp was apparently much worse than the 'hats on'.

[bast0n]

The incident was a result of a visual illusion created by the conditions on the day and when the pilot repeated the profile in a simulator he hit the (simulated) ship again I believe.

A simulator for a Wessex..................?

Now that is something I would like to have seen.............:p


I can only assume that you are unaware that one of the people you are poking fun at passed away in tragic circumstances a couple of years ago and your post could be considered in bad taste.


Lighten up Myra - this is all good fun and I am sure whoever you are mentioning would have found this all good fun also.

[geebee50]

I am saddened by that news as I respect all pilots and god rest his soul, but at least the flight was not forgotten, and it was a particularly special flight considering the potential margins of error. The radome damage on the other hand was not underestimated as it had to be removed from the ship in scotland and taken by escort with it being so big to Stevenage to have a halfords repair kit job done on it and then put into store. The cost of that alone amounted to £80.000 which the MOD was none to impressed about. I also had to attend a brittish aerospace head honcho meeting where they were all very reluctant to become involved about the repair cost until it was pointed out that this event was not going to go away. On the other hand the tail wheel cost a couple of hours to sort, but the original wheel is somewhere in the evidence chain along with the skid marked radome section both of which I caried around for some weeks during the inquistion. I still find it humerous to this day and it just epitomes the spirit of aviation

[geebee50]

Myra

My apologies if it looked like I was making fun, that was not the intention, I repect all pilots and know that they were both well meaning on that day, however a SAR helicopter is not profiled or authorised to conduct low level under the radar attacks on ships. This post is not about making fun or remembering pilots gone to the sky yard, but it is about pilots doing things from which we all learn.

[Fareastdriver]

There you are; buy your own. Get hold of a couple of engines and a coupling gearbox and you're on your way.

XT469 WESSEX HU.5 HELICOPTER | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XT469-WESSEX-HU-5-HELICOPTER-/161080597227?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item258126daeb)

Started off life carrying Marines; how it got a Royal Air Finish is unknown.

[WASALOADIE]

Looks like it is nothing more than an expensive shed now, shame to see an old girl in such a state

[aergid]

I loved the wezzies...

I did my basic tech training on them at HMS Daedalus (now gone to the Sky-yard too)...

i loved the way the instructors used to tell the baby wafoos about chrome the 'intercom system' (piss pipe) to speak to the Pilot lol.....:ok::yuk::yuk:

[Old Age Pilot]

Anyone fly this one?

XT469 WESSEX HU.5 HELICOPTER GOOD FOR ADVERTISING OR GARDEN ORNAMENT PLAYGROUND | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XT469-WESSEX-HU-5-HELICOPTER-GOOD-ADVERTISING-GARDEN-ORNAMENT-PLAYGROUND-/370940015844?pt=UK_CPV_Aviation_SM&hash=item565dbf74e4)

[heli1]

So having failed to sell it in August for£10,500 he is now trying to sell it for £2000 more!
How does that work?
True value....not more than £4000 tops?

[Old Age Pilot]

Maybe it's all part of a ploy?

Eventually list it at £5000 and make it look like a good deal!

[Fat Magpie]

A short video of a Wessex from RAF Aldergrove doing its stuff

YUBVXaNEnkM

[kintyred]

Roller ball roller roller ball?

[expatfrance]

I only flew the Wessex for three years but loved every moment. I flew it after 5 years on the Puma and people used to ask me which I preferred. My re[ly used to be the Puma was easy to fly but difficult to operate whereas the Wessex was hard to fly accurately but easy to operate.

Regarding an early post about Warrenpoint I think this is one of the photos in 72Sqn book. It was taken by a professional photographer who was nearly shot by a para who thought he should be helping and these were the last photos he took. I promise you there is a Wessex in there that flew away to Bessbrook with casualties onboard.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/11210616013_fa78af2b9e_c.jpg

[WASALOADIE]

Queen of the skies

Best time of my service career

[Hummingfrog]

expatfrance

See my post No 41 of the bomb going off - you can just about see the outline of a Wessex in the smoke and dust.

HF