What is it about the Wessex that makes people so fond of it?
Gentleman Aviator
As an aside, we see examples of an old protocol regarding similar types (but different marks) shared by FAA and RAF.
The idea was that FAA had odd numbers and RAF even. So the HAS Mk 1, HAS Mk 3 and the Jungly HU Mk 5 came into service before the RAF's HC Mk 2, which was followed by the QF HCC Mk 4.
I would get out more but I'm locked down!
The idea was that FAA had odd numbers and RAF even. So the HAS Mk 1, HAS Mk 3 and the Jungly HU Mk 5 came into service before the RAF's HC Mk 2, which was followed by the QF HCC Mk 4.
I would get out more but I'm locked down!
As an aside, we see examples of an old protocol regarding similar types (but different marks) shared by FAA and RAF.
The idea was that FAA had odd numbers and RAF even. So the HAS Mk 1, HAS Mk 3 and the Jungly HU Mk 5 came into service before the RAF's HC Mk 2, which was followed by the QF HCC Mk 4.
I would get out more but I'm locked down!
The idea was that FAA had odd numbers and RAF even. So the HAS Mk 1, HAS Mk 3 and the Jungly HU Mk 5 came into service before the RAF's HC Mk 2, which was followed by the QF HCC Mk 4.
I would get out more but I'm locked down!
N
Avoid imitations
I did my RAF Wessex training on the Mk5. They still had an armaments panel under the right side window sill.
Gentleman Aviator
As an aside, we see examples of an old protocol
And for Shy, the Shawbury Mk 5s were ex-FAA cabs. And of course 72 briefly flew some Mk 5s in Operation HEADLESS CHICKEN in '82........
Well John - all very interesting............
But - Why were there tyre marks across the hall table at the Red House mess......? and indeed upstairs as well..............?
What about what was going on on the billiard table at the mess at Biggin Hill after Battle of Britain Day 1964................? Twice............!
and who ate Freds Crabfatty pie.....................?
Who drove his Tina scooter, sitting on it backwards, across the dispersal as a famous Crab aerobatic team were taxiing out...................?
Armament platforms were just a distraction...............
But - Why were there tyre marks across the hall table at the Red House mess......? and indeed upstairs as well..............?
What about what was going on on the billiard table at the mess at Biggin Hill after Battle of Britain Day 1964................? Twice............!
and who ate Freds Crabfatty pie.....................?
Who drove his Tina scooter, sitting on it backwards, across the dispersal as a famous Crab aerobatic team were taxiing out...................?
Armament platforms were just a distraction...............
Bast0n, hope all is well. C19 has provided me with enough time to go back through the dits and photos in this excellent Thread. Albeit you posted the above in 2013, did you get all the correct responses to your quiz ? If not, I reckon the backwards competitor to the Sparrows display at Farnboro had initials RW ? I worked with a Chief SE many years later and he recalled having to repair all the flying clothing from that detachment. Happy Days.
Avoid imitations
I'll bet the RN were glad to get shot of them. I was scheduled five times to do my first solo on type; only got a serviceable one at the sixth attempt! Then during my first night sortie with Ivan C-T we had a hydraulic failure as I turned downwind for the first circuit.
I transmitted "PAN, PAN, PAN, Wessex downwind, hydraulic failure, request immediate landing on the runway!"
ATC replied: "Practice Pan aircraft downwind, Negative! Standby, there is an aircraft about to rejoin from the west who will be requesting a practice single engine landing!"
Ivan C-T: "He didn't say practice, it's a real hydraulic failure!"
ATC: "Ooer... er roger, Wessex clear to land on the runway..."
Last edited by ShyTorque; 23rd May 2020 at 12:34.
Ivan C-T - top chap, did my pre A2 workup with him
We had some ex-RN Mk 5s in Cyprus that had been part-converted to HC 2 standard but retained the horrible traffic light rad-alt and (very usefully) the external drop fuel tank which gave us enough range to get to Israel for premature babyvacs.
We had some ex-RN Mk 5s in Cyprus that had been part-converted to HC 2 standard but retained the horrible traffic light rad-alt and (very usefully) the external drop fuel tank which gave us enough range to get to Israel for premature babyvacs.
Georgina - no pictures unfortunately, from memory the scale only went to 500' and it had a traffic light arrangement on the top of the coaming,
The normal HC 2 rad alt was very good.
The normal HC 2 rad alt was very good.
Avoid imitations
Originally Posted by [email protected]
Ivan C-T - top chap, did my pre A2 workup with him
We had some ex-RN Mk 5s in Cyprus that had been part-converted to HC 2 standard but retained the horrible traffic light rad-alt and (very usefully) the external drop fuel tank which gave us enough range to get to Israel for premature babyvacs.
We had some ex-RN Mk 5s in Cyprus that had been part-converted to HC 2 standard but retained the horrible traffic light rad-alt and (very usefully) the external drop fuel tank which gave us enough range to get to Israel for premature babyvacs.
(photo from Nigel Osborn collection)
