Westland Scout/Wasp

[MOSTAFA]

I seem to remember it was a problem occasionally with the hoist fitted if you looked carefully!

[megan]

Thanks SL, you seem to have explained it, we had the dual instrument panel. Explains why no mention of weights. The aircrafts configuration was never changed, its sole purpose was use on a survey ship, sling loading Hi Fix and tidepole camps ashore (and retrieval), and of course personnel. The RAN purchased two Scouts, but one was ditched well before my time.

[Lokwyr]

Originally Posted by Sloppy Link

We still fly with the doors off if the weather permits or over water displays. Minus is the wind noise over the mike, throat mike’s are a thing of the past now.

I've still got a throat-mike. Much preferred by me to the boomy thing.

As for doors-off. Wind noise was the worst problem. Rear doors off made life safer when troops were loading/ unloading themselves, 'cos the door jettison handles produced no expensive after effects, no matter how many heaves given!

[Godknows]

Thank you to all who contributed your thoughts and memories, very informative and some great photos as well. I used to see one or two now and again as a lad walking to school as they buzzed around RNAS lee-on-the-Solent in the 70's.