Nostalgia in motion
 

Nostalgia in motion:. .. .For if you see a Wessex helicopter in the next week it will be for the last time. They leave Aldergrove (Monday 25 Mar) tomorrow for a Navex around the country concluding with the final landing at Shawbury in the next few days.. .. .Give her a wave people for she has served this country with honour for 40 odd years, in every corner of the globe.

From the notams:. .1100-1215 1000ft agl (H941/02). .Formation of up to 10 hel will fly via heli-lanes fm RAF Odiham. .5114N 00057W (1100hrs) - H7 Banstead 5120N 00013W (1115hrs) - H3. .Barnes 5129N 00016W (1132hrs) - Isle of Dogs 5129N 00000W. .(1150hrs) - 5137N 00003W - RAF Benson 5136N 00106W (1215hrs). .Acft to avoid formation by at least 1.5nm either side of track. .Tel: 02894 456639. .. .Steve R

Very sorry to see them go. Childhood holiday memories are of Whirlwinds and Wessexes patrolling along the Kent coast.. .. .Noticed at the weekend that the static Harrier outside the pilot's shop at Shoreham Airport has been replaced by a Wessex. Is this a rotation of exhibits or has the Harrier been sold? . .. .Would love to stick one in my front garden but think it might stretch my budget (and my neighbours patience) a bit too much <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

I was at North Weald on Saturday a couple of weekends ago when two Wessexes flew in for an RAF squadron reunion. Great sight. Sorry that this sight won't be repeated.. .. .RD

I believe that there is a squadron of Wessex in Cyprus that is going to continue operating the type beyond the reitrement of UK and Northern Ireland based helicopters. I think it is 84 Squadron.

Biggles. .. .Yes the Harrier GR3 that was on display at Shoreham has been sold to a US-based company that intend to rebuild it to flying condition.. .The Wessex is its seemingly permenant replacement.. .. .HTH. .. .Mark

I saw them today, looks like they were outbound from Odiham area about 11:20. Brought back many memories.. wet winching off Hornsea out of Leconfield.. single seat dinghy, leaky immersion suit, a gut full of the North Sea followed by a gobful of gas turbine exhaust as you are dragged in thru the door of a biiiig yellow Wessex.. and then to do it all again. . .. .Would I do it again? Oh I think I might.

84 Sqn based at Akrotiri in Cyprus are still flying Wessex in the SAR role, and will continue for some time until the replacement contract is in place.. .. .[edited for spolling! - and such a short post too!]. . . . <small>[ 28 March 2002, 10:03: Message edited by: FJJP ]</small>