The Westland Wessex is a British-built turbine-powered development of the American Sikorsky H-34 helicopter. It was developed and produced under licence by Westland Aircraft (later Westland Helicopters). One of the main changes from Sikorsky's H-34 was the replacement of the piston-engine powerplant with a turboshaft engine. Early models were powered by a single Napier Gazelle engine, while later builds used a pair of de Havilland Gnome engines. The Wessex was initially produced for the Royal Navy (RN) and later for the Royal Air Force (RAF); a limited number of civilian aircraft were also produced, as well as some export sales. First flight was June 1958 and quite some versions were developed with 382 Wessex helicopters manufactured.
The Wessex operated as an anti-submarine warfare, utility and troop transport helicopter including SAR. The type entered operational service in 1961, and had a service life in excess of 40 years before being retired in the UK. It also flew in small numbers with foreign air arms.
Source: wikipedia
Wessex HAS3
The Wessex HAS3 was the Royal Navy anti-submarine version. XP142 was used during the Falklands War and was hit, showing many bullit holes. It was seen on display at the Fleet Air Arm museum in Yeovilton (U.K.)
Photographed November 2023 by Meindert de Vreeze, (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
The same Wessex with additional photos made Summer 2023 by Henk de Jong.
Wessex HU5
The Wessex HU5 is the Royal Navy troop carrier version. Royal Navy Wessex HU5 coded XT765 survived the sinking of the Atlantic Conveyor during the Falklands War. It was armed with rocket pods and machine guns. It was seen on display at the Fleet Air Arm museum in Yeovilton (U.K.)
Photographed November 2023 by Meindert de Vreeze, (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Wessex HC2
The Wessex HC2 is the Royal Air Force troop carrier. XV728 was manufactured in 1968 and also flew from Gutersloh in West-Germany with the British forces. It was seen at the Newark air museum, Winthorpe (U.K).
Photographed November 2023 by Meindert de Vreeze, (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Several plastic model kits were released. In 1/72 scale many kits from old Frog (Novo), Matchbox with later better kits from Italeri (Revell). In 1/48 Academy, Italeri and Revell have kits. In 1/32 Fly has a few kits. In small 1/144 Mark I models have a few kits.
this walk around was first published April 30, 2024 by IPMS.NL webmaster