Wessex lovers?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1,203
Wessex lovers?
I'm starting to embark on a Museum rebuild of an ex-RN Wessex. Are there any Ppruners who I could call upon for photos, manuals and occasional e-mailed maintenance tips?
The rotor head and the engines are coming from another airframe in terrible condition and I'm certain there are parts missing. Any help would be gratefully received, especially if you happen to live near St Athan and have time on your hands. I could buy you a bacon butty in the cafe. I'm alright doing the skin work but will need help getting the oily bits in the right place.
Thanks
Rob


The rotor head and the engines are coming from another airframe in terrible condition and I'm certain there are parts missing. Any help would be gratefully received, especially if you happen to live near St Athan and have time on your hands. I could buy you a bacon butty in the cafe. I'm alright doing the skin work but will need help getting the oily bits in the right place.
Thanks
Rob


Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 2,828
Good luck with your endeavour.
Have you discovered this thread yet? What is it about the Wessex that makes people so fond of it? If you haven't, I suggest that you make a brew and start at post 1. You might even find your airframe mentioned in the thread already.
Have you discovered this thread yet? What is it about the Wessex that makes people so fond of it? If you haven't, I suggest that you make a brew and start at post 1. You might even find your airframe mentioned in the thread already.
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London/Atlanta
Posts: 335
Good luck with your endeavour.
Have you discovered this thread yet? What is it about the Wessex that makes people so fond of it? If you haven't, I suggest that you make a brew and start at post 1. You might even find your airframe mentioned in the thread already.
Have you discovered this thread yet? What is it about the Wessex that makes people so fond of it? If you haven't, I suggest that you make a brew and start at post 1. You might even find your airframe mentioned in the thread already.
Blue up would be great if you kept this thread updated with progress, good luck!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1,203
A quick question?...The tail release ratcheting system has failed so that although the handle releases there is no movement of the locking/unlocking mechanism, kinda like a Chinese socket set.
Any photos or diagrams of how the mechanism works?
Thanks.

Thanks.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 18,888
I have some walk rounds I have done,
its so long since I worked on them, when you pull the handle out if I remember correctly you rotate it so the pin points in the direction of travel then ratchet it.
..
its so long since I worked on them, when you pull the handle out if I remember correctly you rotate it so the pin points in the direction of travel then ratchet it.
..
Last edited by NutLoose; 10th Sep 2020 at 13:14.
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: UK
Age: 76
Posts: 193
Mamba? - in a Gannet maybe but it was a Napier Gazelle in the Wessex HAS Mk3. My old eyes can't make out the reg - XM833? If so missed it by one, the nearest one I flew was XM834!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1,203
2 rotor heads and 2 engines, one of them still new in the box.
I think I now know how the ratchet mechanism works. That handle with the pin in it won't rotate, only unclip from the holder. Very rotten, too. I might have to salvage bits from the rot-box. Same as the S61/SeaKing?
Haynes manual is on order!
Ta.

I think I now know how the ratchet mechanism works. That handle with the pin in it won't rotate, only unclip from the holder. Very rotten, too. I might have to salvage bits from the rot-box. Same as the S61/SeaKing?
Haynes manual is on order!
Ta.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 338
XM833 left 737s books in 1981. By the look of the more faded paint aft of the Tx joint, is it all XM833 or just the rear half ??
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 18,888
If money wasn’t a restriction there is a new tail on evil bay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WESTLAND-...UAAOSwHLNZU80Q
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WESTLAND-...UAAOSwHLNZU80Q
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 18,888
Still four full screw holes, its a go'er to use it, think of the weight saving advantages.... BTW nice to see some good tin bashing going on.
BTW price has dropped..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WESTLAND-...UAAOSwHLNZU80Q
BTW price has dropped..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WESTLAND-...UAAOSwHLNZU80Q