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The first Westland-built Wessex serial XL727, designated a Wessex HAS.1, first flew on 20 June 1958. [4] 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. [5]
A U.S. Coast Guard HUS-1G in 1960. Row of Westland Wessex HU.5, 1978. The Sikorsky H-34 (company designation S-58) is an American piston-engined military utility helicopter originally designed by Sikorsky as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft for the United States Navy.
From July 1962 the squadron converted to Westland Wessex, a development of the Sikorsky H-34 produced under licence by Westland, initially the HAS.1 variant, a utility and anti-submarine warfare helicopter, and then in October 1967 it took on deliveries of Westland Wessex HAS.3, an improved anti-submarine version. 737 Naval Air Squadron took ...
A Westland Wessex, probably HAS.1 XM837 at the SBAC show Farnborough 1962. On 4 July 1961, the squadron recommissioned at RNAS Culdrose with the Westland Wessex HAS.1. [7] The squadron embarked on HMS Ark Royal in November 1961, moving to HMS Centaur in 1964 and provided support against disturbances in Aden and in Tanganyika (now Tanzania).
Initially, the squadron was equipped with one Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 anti-submarine helicopter and a number of Westland Wessex HAS.1 helicopters, which represented the initial variant for anti-submarine warfare. This configuration allowed the squadron to function as the headquarters unit for ASW operations involving the Wessex helicopters. [5]
The helicopter received fire from two heavy machine guns and three automatic rifles. Three soldiers on board were wounded. [89] 20 February 1990 - A Wessex helicopter spotted several IRA masked members carrying heavy weapons in a van and a car near Newtownhamilton, South Armagh. During the ensuing long chase, the IRA unit split, discarded arms ...
The Wessex fleet was complemented in 1969 by the introduction of the Westland Sea King to Fleet Air Arm (FAA) service. The Wessex continued to provide SAR with the Sea King in its intended role as an ASW helicopter throughout the FAA. The Sea King was called upon for more distant SAR call-outs due to its increased range of 598 nmi and greater ...
It was the last squadron to use the Westland Wessex. [2] The Wessex HU.5C was retired during February 1995. [63] The two flights were combined when the squadron shrunk in size to five helicopters after re-equipment with the Wessex, but its helicopters retain aircraft the light blue band around their tail. [58] [59]