What is it about the Wessex that makes people so fond of it?
Leaving Honky Fid, we gave a bit of a fly past with a gaggle of Sioux leading the way:
And when leaving Singapore, we found an amazing number of jungly cabs following us
as we trotted past Triumph before heading back west, where events overtook us and we had to (gasp!) help out those chaps on Albion
an earlier shot of Albie One, just for Bast0n
More later: to be continued....
And when leaving Singapore, we found an amazing number of jungly cabs following us
as we trotted past Triumph before heading back west, where events overtook us and we had to (gasp!) help out those chaps on Albion
an earlier shot of Albie One, just for Bast0n
More later: to be continued....
Last edited by John Eacott; 2nd May 2020 at 03:25. Reason: Update images
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Uruguayan Air Force Wessex
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.
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.
For Bast0n, the Fleet fly past on leaving Singapore: HMS Albion
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
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
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
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
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!
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!
A shot here of RFA Regent's WxV doing a bit of Vertrep to/from Lyness
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? 
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
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? 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
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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!
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!
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$$up.
Just as well I didn't spear in anywhere; it would have cleared a few promotion bottlenecks.
I took the CAS, CinC Air Support Command, AOC 38 Grp plus their hangers on to HMS Vernon for the Navy day. I was shut down on the Vernon helipad and after the show was over the CAS's staff officer ask me if I had any room for another four. I could take them but they could not sit in the Brittania seats.
The reason for the extra was that the Admiral's barge was unable to get in owing to the weather so I ended up with CNS and CIGS as well.
Being RAF and in a Puma I was fully IFR so a quick chat with Southhampton and we punched off. Over to Southern Radar, steers to Farnborough and then the Helilanes for their MOD pi$$up.
Just as well I didn't spear in anywhere; it would have cleared a few promotion bottlenecks.
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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
John
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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
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
Interesting formation - is it called anything other than 23-ship same way, same day?
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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!
Or perhaps..................
Let us have a look at the Crabs version - though I suspect no pictures will have been taken on Wednesday afternoons because of sport.....................
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!
Or perhaps..................
Let us have a look at the Crabs version - though I suspect no pictures will have been taken on Wednesday afternoons because of sport.....................
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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
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..................
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
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
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..................
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
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72 Sqn - First Tour on the Wessex 63-69
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.
Last edited by LOONRAT; 4th Dec 2011 at 13:36.
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!