Wessex 5 quick question
 

I am looking for a pjoto or details of the instrument panel fit before the time when some holes were plated over, specifically the stbd side. Thanks.

Smirky,

A Haynes Manual is often a good place to start :ok:


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....11ef24f4a3.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d146bdd6bd.jpg

If these are any use and you want a better quality scan, let me know

Thanks for posting, yes I have that book. The far right hand column of dials on the top picture is the area I am interested in. At the top right looks like a big ammeter over something else and over the third small one hidden behind the stick top. (Looks like it may be Historic Helicopters judging by the hangar.) The left hand panel does not have the plates over the Decca holes so it may not be the early version I am looking for.

The bottom picture shows the latest standard with the small ammeter bodged into the top hole and the other two plated over. Looking at a picture of the empty panel (I would post it but not allowed to post pictures), the top hole has a square cutout at 8 o'clock.

The above looks like a late-Mod preserved aircraft.

Very fine old helicopter. Almost as good as the Mk 2. :ok::ok: (ex-RAF Wessex driver)

Pypard, yes the top picture possilby has two ammeters on the right but that is probably not original and the bottom one has everything plated over including the two doll's eyes under the clock.

Herod, the RAF had the sense to wait for the twin engined version!

First twin engined helicopter I flew and I loved it, tbh. I did just over 30 hours on the Wessex 5 (which were on loan to the RAF from the RN) but then got posted onto something a bit faster!

These may help?


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....a0870d1e5f.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....db713e322.jpeg

And two more :ok:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....85be1b2c15.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....27f94eccd6.jpg

I flew the Historic Helicopters Mk 5 a week or so ago - first time in a Wessex for 33 years and it felt perfect, even without the ASE (spares issue) - exactly the same as a Mk 2 except for some plumbing and electrical mods..

After flying Mk 2 in NI we had Mk5 converted to Mk 2 in Cyprus which retained the port side drop tank.

It remains the most stable helicopter in the hover I have flown - even ASE out!

Smirky; the Wessex 5 was twin engine as well. You are thinking of the HAS-1 and -3, with the single Gazelle. As far as I know, the -5 was identical to the -2, but with a bigger cabin window (ditching exit?) and possibly some form of hover stability. Some Naval Aviator may be able to confirm.

Don't need to be a Naval Aviator - just read the post from someone who has flown both in the post above yours:)

Thanks for posting, I am looking for the original fit in the positions marked 20 and 44 on the HU5 diagram. These were later plated over, the plates are visible on the right of the photo. I relalize this is difficult as it requires an old photo (pre-digital), an old document (should have been destroyed) or maybe a Wessex Old Hand.

Smirky, the HH Mk 5 has an Ammeter in position 20 but I would have to go and look again at what is in 44.

Thanks! I think that is the aircraft pictured at the top of post2? Maybe the one below is another Ammeter? This differs from the more common standard with the three blanking plates (small ammeter in the top one) depicted at the bottom of post 2. I am trying to find out what came before the blanking plates.

I have an image of an empty panel which shows the top hole with a square cutout at the 8 o'clock position which reminds me of a Cable Out gauge. I can imagine I can see traces of this cutout in the photo at the top of post 2. Sadly I am not licensed to post images on this forum as a picture can be worth a thousand words :)

Smirky, I stand to be corrected but to my knowledge the Mk 5 wasn't used in ASW 'dipping sonar' role, it was for Commando Assault, anti-shipping and SAR use so a 'cable-out' indicator wouldn't have been required

Yes that is my understanding, there is a dirty great 'ole in the floor missing after all. (I shouldn't have mentioned Cable Out it is a complete red herring.)

If you are happy to spend £12 a pdf of the 1964 pilots notes can be downloaded from here:Westland Wessex HU Mk.5 Helicopter Pilot's Notes Manual - AP 101C105-15 - 1964 - Aircraft Reports - Aircraft Manuals - Aircraft Helicopter Engines Propellers Blueprints Publications

I assume you have tried the FAAM who have at least two HU5s?

I presume you are not referring to position 44 in the diagram JE posted as all the positions are itemised in the text. Are you sure they were not just plated over unused positions from new or just empty card holders?

If you can PM me the image you have I am happy to post it for you.

More than happy to spend the 12 quid, I just need to check the amendment level against the one I already have.

Must admit I haven't tried FAAM, museum aircraft aren't always the best guide!