I know the first flight, delivery date to the Royal Navy and when this particular Wessex was scrapped but I would appreciate some help with what happened to it in between, such as it’s first squadron, was it used in the Falklands War, did it subsequently serve with the RAF etc?
Any help gratefully received!
Westland Wessex HU.5 XS484 History
Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 XS484 History
Here she is at the Yeovilton Air Day 31 July 1982, did not serve in the Falklands and was used to back fill aircraft deployed down south and I believe was previously with the British Hovercraft Corporation. Still in the then out dated sand and spinach colour scheme.
XS484 Wessex HU.5 RN by Keith Heywood, on Flickr
XS484 Wessex HU.5 RN by Keith Heywood, on Flickr
Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 XS484 History
Thank you Keith. Regarding the sand and spinach livery - any idea what squadron that would have been as there’s a chance it may have entered RN service in 1964 in those colours, coded ‘469 RS’?
- hunterxf382
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Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 XS484 History
As I have an interest in Wessex - I had a look around and found this link which shows a colour shot taken in 1964 (the year of delivery) in these colours:
https://picclick.co.uk/Original-colour- ... 76073.html
And also noted it appeared at Farnborough that September too!
http://farnboroughspotter.weebly.com/1964.html
https://picclick.co.uk/Original-colour- ... 76073.html
And also noted it appeared at Farnborough that September too!
http://farnboroughspotter.weebly.com/1964.html
Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 XS484 History
Thanks Pete. Any idea which squadron that was?
Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 XS484 History
Thanks Eric. That was with 771 squadron, and I’m looking for it’s other operators if possible!
- hunterxf382
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Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 XS484 History
I've no idea I'm afraid...
In the continued search however - a photo showing it flying as part of a 4-ship at Farnborough, not just on static display (it did both)
https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1627881
Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 XS484 History
It appears that the rear fuselage section in the sand & spinach pic is a replacement in the Blue or Blue Grey, interesting mash-up scheme for any modellers.
Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 XS484 History
Credit to the Excellent Air Britain Fleet Air Arm Helicopters since 1943
Re: Westland Wessex HU.5 XS484 History
Many thanks for that Arno, that helps enormously. I have an engine panel from ‘484 which still shows the ‘Spade’ emblem from its time with 771 NAS, plus traces of the different paint colours used during its career. But my real confusion was the fact that the top coat is a hand painted dark green (possibly nato) over the previous Royal Navy extra dark sea grey, which I assumed meant it had served at some point during its flying career with the RAF. But now looking at its service record I can only assume it was hand painted for some reason when with the SAREW at RAF Finningley!