What is it about the Wessex that makes people so fond of it?
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Milano, Italia
.. "Always Threatening"
Royal Navy Westland Wessex HU5 XS480 of 846 Sqn receives a wash at RNAS Culdrose on 9th January 1969 (Photo: Ian Macdonald)
Royal Navy Westland Wessex HU5 XT760 of 846 Sqn during a joint forces cold weather airlift exercise on 1st February 1981
846 .. what a threatening bunch they are!
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From: Cornwall
BAC Reunion 2013
If anyone is interested, the Bulwark, Albion and Centaur Reunion 2013 is taking place at Royal beach Hotel, Southsea over the weekend 10th - 12th May 2013.
More info from Members Area - Bulwark, Albion and Centaur Association
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: UK
Wessex - Bario - Sarawak 1966
As a former pongo I'm almost embarrassed to invade this thread but here go's! Snaps taken when 848 had a sick 'Sprout' on it's patch and ambi was detailed to help glue it together again.
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Gold Coast, Queensland
Good to see those photos of the Wessex MkV from 848 Squadron off Albion in 1965/66. This was before the horrible droop nose was fitted. The Sprout is a series 10 RAF Whirlwind after one of their heavy landings.
Come to think of it both BastOn & I must have flown those Wessex!
Come to think of it both BastOn & I must have flown those Wessex!
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somerset
Savoia - thanks for that. This is my first go with Picasa. Rather a fun shot showing loadlifting before the dreaded 8 foot strop that slowed everything down..................go and look out some Bario shots now.
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: UK
They never did rebuild that Whirlwind 10 above,which crashed due to engine failure on approach to the landing pad in September 1964. It had only done about 500 hrs TT too!
Shame about the South Georgia Wessex bits. That nose door would look good hanging up in the Helicopter Museum.
Shame about the South Georgia Wessex bits. That nose door would look good hanging up in the Helicopter Museum.
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 184
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From: UK
Wessex Khasab peninsula Oman 1970
Any veteran ppruners present in the Khasab peninsula late 1970? Combined air/sea assault including SAS & SOAF on what was said to be an operation to flush out Chinese trained guerrillas? Defence Minister at the time was reported as saying that the operation never occurred, funny that!
And the Mothership begat a Sprout, both reported to be well.
SOAF Seeb airport Oman 1970
And the Mothership begat a Sprout, both reported to be well.
SOAF Seeb airport Oman 1970
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From: Somerset
31 years ago today we lost some fine men and ships. My handful of Wessex 5s also sank but good old Bravo November did not, and still is I believe doing a wonderful job.
Raise a glass tonight to all those who did not come back.
Raise a glass tonight to all those who did not come back.
Last edited by bast0n; 25th May 2013 at 12:52.
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: scotland
WESSEX V HMS GLASGOW COMEDY FLIGHT
Around 1993 I was tasked to investigate from a police perspective and after a Unit Inquiry the incident of a Wessex striking a type 42 destroyer HMS Glasgow. I travelled to Leuchars more or less on the same week the Sqn was being disbanded to start inquiries and managed to secure some docs and thereafter chased the ship around various ports to get witness statements.
Does anyone recall this incident? I do and you could not make it up. From the pilots not knowing what a destroyer looked like other than Janes Defence Manual to the winchman throwing flour bombs onto the bridge whilst the aircraft was about to strike the ship completely, resulting in one very damaged front radome on the ship and a bent tailwheel on the Wessex.
I will not mention the pilots names but they could have been character names in Trumpton. I investigated many other mid air and ground incidents each with its own unique story and with some sad endings. This post does not aim to suggest any wrong doings as these issues are already in the public domain or not.
Does anyone recall this incident? I do and you could not make it up. From the pilots not knowing what a destroyer looked like other than Janes Defence Manual to the winchman throwing flour bombs onto the bridge whilst the aircraft was about to strike the ship completely, resulting in one very damaged front radome on the ship and a bent tailwheel on the Wessex.
I will not mention the pilots names but they could have been character names in Trumpton. I investigated many other mid air and ground incidents each with its own unique story and with some sad endings. This post does not aim to suggest any wrong doings as these issues are already in the public domain or not.
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Second star on the left
GeeBee, I think that your post was a little over the top as far as damage was concerned. There was only a skid mark on the raydome and damage was not discovered until the ship tried to pressurise for an NBC exercise. The crew (or the Wheels) did not know until the ship sent a signal warning that there may have been an impact.
No argument over your other points though. Just for the record, I was not that man, but I did have a giggle.
Heads down, look out for the flack
No argument over your other points though. Just for the record, I was not that man, but I did have a giggle.
Heads down, look out for the flack