What is it about the Wessex that makes people so fond of it?
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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=0B8V...3daZFJBMzBmR2c
( For some reason I am not allowed to post attachments, haven't got a clue why this is ).
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8V...3daZFJBMzBmR2c
( For some reason I am not allowed to post attachments, haven't got a clue why this is ).
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 2nd May 2020 at 04:26. Reason: Add image for @johnwilli
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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
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
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
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
"With Courage and Faith"
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.
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!
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!
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?).
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?).
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..
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..
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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!
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!
Last edited by bast0n; 8th Mar 2013 at 11:20.
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
PM for U
basTon, thanks for confiming the `mudguards`,as I thought I`d seen them fitted to a 5..
Last edited by sycamore; 8th Mar 2013 at 19:54.
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Sycamore & the Wessex
Good to see the memory still works well re the Wessex Brian, trust your well & still aviating, B Rgds, PH, zetec2.
Apologies ,David, it should have been `bastOn....
Z2,I`ll get to you later...the red was a little stronger...blah bla.....ummmmmmm
Z2,I`ll get to you later...the red was a little stronger...blah bla.....ummmmmmm
Last edited by sycamore; 8th Mar 2013 at 22:26.
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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!!
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!!