Wessex lovers?

[blue up]

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

[Bravo73]

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.

[nomorehelosforme]

Originally Posted by Bravo73

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.

That thread should be retitled 'The Wessex Bible"

Blue up would be great if you kept this thread updated with progress, good luck!

[blue up]

We have another 'spares' ship here but it is a little.....crusty.

[blue up]

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.

[[email protected]]

It extends the pins up and down into the brackets.

[NutLoose]

I have some walk rounds I have done,

Flickr Slideshows (Photostreams)

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.



..

[Globocnik]

That’s also a 737 cab. Even more complicated than the V. What’s the inside like ?
And have you got the single engine Mamba in there ?

[Democritus]

Originally Posted by Globocnik

That’s also a 737 cab. Even more complicated than the V. What’s the inside like ?
And have you got the single engine Mamba in there ?

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!

[Globocnik]

Yep apologies. Double engine mamba was indeed the preserve of the Gannet.
I had it in mind that the Wx III had a single engine v. of it, not the Napier Gazelle.

[Dave B]

Get hold of a copy of the Haynes "Owners Workshop Manual".for the Wessex By Lee Howard, ISBN 978 1 78521 117 1. Lots of pictures, drawings and stories.

[blue up]

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.

[peterperfect]

Originally Posted by Democritus

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!

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 ??

[Tashengurt]

Originally Posted by blue up

We have another 'spares' ship here but it is a little.....crusty.

Has that come from Sunderland?

[blue up]

I think it is the one we dragged out of the Fire College at Moreton-in-the-Marsh. XP150??

[NutLoose]

If money wasn’t a restriction there is a new tail on evil bay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WESTLAND-...UAAOSwHLNZU80Q

[blue up]

Ah, too expensive, I'm told.

Meanwhile...

next bit made today.

Went to look at the instrument panel in storage. Some little ****** has smashed every single bit of glass in it.

[blue up]

Slight corrosion. Isopon or Duct Tape?

[Self loading bear]

Remember to sand it rough so the adhesive will stick better.

[NutLoose]

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