In July 1961 the licensed S-58 with a gas turbine engine, went into service with the Royal Navy as an anti-submarine helicopter. Seen here operating at sea on aircraft carriers. Aircraft Type: Wessex Circa: 1968
The highlight of our Med trip exercise on HMS Bulwark . The sound of those rotors cutting the air, and the warm pleasant smell of aviation fuel is unforgettable.
My favourite old school helicopter! A friend flew the twin engined Mk for the RAF dropping troops off on the border in N Ireland back in the mid 80's. Used to mount GPMG on the door. Got shot at a couple of times!
Mate, I live in NI and lived through The Troubles and I want you to know just how much I appreciate your service, and especially those that made the ultimate sacrifice. The military aviation back then helped my sanity, believe it or not.
I seem to recall the Los Angeles County Sheriff using Westland Helicopters. They looked like a modern version of the S-58 only these were turbine powered. I know the crew liked them. I don't know if they still use them or not but they were great in rescue work in the Angeles National Forest.
Besbrook Mill, Northern Ireland, 1978. Sitting in the back a Wessex for a short trip to Crossmaglen. Just after the pilot lifted, an almighty bang. Aircraft spun about 90 degrees and then dropped to the ground from about 5-10ft. Apparently the tail rotor gearbox had gone ‘bang’. The replacement work fine ;-)
Mate, I live in NI and lived through The Troubles and I want you to know just how much I appreciate your service, and especially those that made the ultimate sacrifice. The military aviation back then helped my sanity, believe it or not.
Amazing how the British used this airframe 30 years after the Americans disposed of theirs. Of course the better engines on the British versions were a big reason why. You don't realize it, but it is a rather large helicopter.
Hi there! We're making a documentary about the Westland Wessex for the South Yorkshire Aircraft museum! Mind if we use this footage if we credit you please? :)
The engines the British used were an improvement on the original; better performance. The Brits often changed the engines on license built USA aircraft; the Augusta Westland version of the Apache is a modern example of this.
