Historic Helicopters ex Royal Air Force Westland Sea King HAR Mk.3, WZ597, G-SKNG, departing Old Warden Airfield after the Shuttleworth Family Airshow 2021.
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines (derived from the US General Electric T58), British-made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised flight control system. The Sea King was primarily designed for performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. A Sea King variant known as the Commando was devised by Westland to serve as a troop transport.
In British service, the Westland Sea King provided a wide range of services in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. As well as wartime roles in the Falklands War, the Gulf War, the Bosnian War, the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War, the Sea King is perhaps most well known in its capacity as a Royal Navy Search and Rescue (red and grey livery) and RAF Search and Rescue Force (yellow livery) helicopter. The Sea King was also adapted to meet the Royal Navy's requirement for a ship-based airborne early warning platform.
On 26 September 2018, the last remaining Sea King variant in Royal Navy service was retired. Most operators have replaced, or are planning to replace, the Sea King with more modern helicopters, such as the NHIndustries NH90 and the AgustaWestland AW101. HeliOperations continue to operate two Mk 5 Sea Kings, based at RNAS Portland, training German Navy pilots.
A dedicated search and rescue (SAR) version, the HAR3, was developed for the RAF Search and Rescue Force. The type entered service in 1978 to replace the Westland Whirlwind HAR.10. A 16th helicopter was ordered shortly after, and following the Falklands War of 1982, three more examples were purchased to enable operation of a SAR flight in the islands, initially from Navy Point on the north side of Stanley harbour, and later from RAF Mount Pleasant. In 1992, six further helicopters were ordered to replace the last remaining Westland Wessex helicopters in the SAR role, entering service in 1996. The six Sea King HAR3As featured updated systems, including a digital navigation system and more modern avionics.
Westland also manufactured SAR versions of the Sea King for the Royal Norwegian Air Force, the German Navy and the Belgian Air Force. On SAR variants, the cabin was enlarged by a stretch of the fuselage behind the door; another key feature, used for additional flotation in the unusual event of a water landing, inflatable buoyancy bags were housed inside the aircraft's sponsons. Upgrades and changes made to SAR Sea Kings include the addition of radar warning receivers, a cargo hook for the underslung carriage of goods, and the redesigning of the cockpit for compatibility with night vision goggles.
As of 2006, up to 12 HAR3/3As were dispersed across the UK, a further two HAR3s were attached to the Falkland Islands, providing 24-hour rescue coverage. Some Royal Navy HAS5 ASW variants were adapted for the SAR role and served with 771 Naval Air Squadron, Culdrose and HMS Gannet SAR Flight at Prestwick Airport in Scotland.
XZ597 was one of a small number of Sea Kings to be painted Dark Sea Grey for duty in the post-war Falkland Islands. It last served with 22 Squadron, Royal Air Force based at RAF Wattisham and was retired from military service in 2015. It is now owned and operated by Historic Helicopters based at Crewkerne in Somerset.
Westland Sea King HAR Mk.3 XZ597 - Airframe history:- (edit ongoing)..
Constructed as a Sea King HAR Mk.3 by Westland - Constructors Number WA863
22 June 1978 - First flight.
25 August 1978 - Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Air Force with s/n XZ597.
Assigned to 22, 78, 202 and 203 Squadron
September 1978 - D Flight, 202 Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth.
By July 1981 - Transferred to RAF Sea King Training Unit, 202SQN, RNAS Culdrose.
22 July 1981 - Assigned to Gosport for storage.
14 January 2016 - To WSV, Colsterworth
21 March 2019 - Auctioned off and sold for £40,000 - To Lift West (Helicopters) Ltd, Snowden Farm, Crewkerne, UK with new c/r G-SKNG (WESTLAND SEA KING HAR3).
Base of operations changed to: Historic Helicopters, Crewkerne, Somerset, England.
10 July 2020 - First post-restoration Flight.
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31 янв 2022
