Westland Wessex
| Wessex | |
|---|---|
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| A Royal Navy Wessex HU.5 at Ascension Island in 1982 | |
| Role | Helicopter |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer |
Westland Aircraft Westland Helicopters |
| First flight | 20 June 1958 |
| Introduction | 1961 |
| Retired | 2003 (Royal Air Force) |
| Primary users |
Royal Navy Royal Air Force Royal Australian Navy Uruguayan Naval Aviation |
| Produced | 1958-1970 |
| Number built | 382 |
| Developed from | Sikorsky H-34 |
 Westland Wessex from RAF Aldergrove on exercise with Mourne mountain rescue team
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Wessex performing various maneuvers during public display
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The Westland Wessex is a British-built turbine-powered development of the Sikorsky H-34, it was developed and produced under license 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; the Wessex was the first helicopter in the world to be produced in large numbers that made use of a gas turbine propulsion system. Early models were powered by a single Napier Gazelle engine, 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. The Wessex operated as an anti-submarine warfare and utility helicopter; it is perhaps best recognised for its use as a search and rescue (SAR) helicopter. The type entered operational service in 1961, and had a service life in excess of 40 years before being retired in Britain.
In 1956, an American-built S-58 was shipped to Britain for Westland to use as a pattern aircraft. Initially assembled with its Wright Cyclone, it was demonstrated to the British armed services leading to a preliminary order for the Royal Navy. For British production, it was re-engined with a single Napier Gazelle turboshaft engine, first flying in that configuration on 17 May 1957. The lighter (by 600 lb) Gazelle engine meant some redistribution of weight. The first Westland-built Wessex serial XL727, designated a Wessex HAS.1, first flew on 20 June 1958. The first production Wessex HAS1 were delivered to Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA) in early 1960; the Wessex was the first helicopter operated by the FAA to be purpose-designed from scratch as an anti-submarine platform.
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Wikipedia