Westland Wessex

United States United States

The Westland Wessex is a developed in the USA and manufactured in the UK transport helicopter. With a crew of two were 16 passengers in the ambulance or insert 8 wounded on stretchers or 1350 kg cargo being transported. The hull was made ​​in all-metal semi- monocoque construction.

History

As mentioned previously in the Whirlwind, the evolution of the Wessex began with the licensed construction of a Sikorsky helicopter, the S- 58th Because of this - technically speaking - represented the direct successor of the Whirlwind base model S -55, also of Wessex is seen as a descendant of the Whirlwind.

While the first versions of the Whirlwind still relatively unmodified copies of the S -55, we started here immediately with extensive modifications. The Wright radial engines used in the S -58 had soft Napier Gazelle N.Ga.11 turbines with 809 kW (1100 hp). To accommodate this engine, the bug was changed to what the Wessex also outwardly was different from the S -58. The power deficit was largely offset by weight and reduce fuel consumption again so that due to the extensive technical interventions already the first models of Wessex can be regarded as an independent type. On May 17, 1957 flew the first prototype, which was, however, still manufactured at Sikorsky, and on June 20, 1958 followed by the first built by Westland series model. The first purchaser of this was the British Navy that. The new type as Wessex HAS Mk.1 designated.

In the first series, the Gazelle N.Ga.13 turbines was installed instead of the Gazelle N.Ga.11, which contributed 1081 kW ( 1470 hp). Early 1960s was experimenting for the sake of safety and reliability with the use of two engines, and in January 1962 raised the Wessex HC. Mk.2 from the first time. This was from February 1964 shipped version of two coupled, manufactured by Bristol Siddeley licensed Rolls-Royce Gnome 110/111 turbines with a total of 919 kW (1250 hp). These were still throttled; in later versions of the throttling has been reduced or eliminated, which brought a power of 1156 kW (1572 hp). But depending on the needs and support their wishes Wessex were built with only one turbine also at this time yet, which constitute developments of the original Gazelle engine.

Technology

Variants

A total of 356 cars were produced in different series.

For the armed forces of the United Kingdom following series have been developed (see also the information on the British aircraft designation system ):

The following series developed for the Royal Australian Navy ( RAN), the naval forces of the great South Pacific Commonwealth State:

The following versions were intended exclusively for export:

Specifications

User

Military user

  • Australia ( Royal Australian Navy )

27 HAS.31/HAS.31B

  • Bangladesh Bangladesh (Bangladesh Biman Bahini ( Bangladesh Air Force ) )

2 HU.Mk.5

  • Brunei Brunei ( Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei ( Royal Brunei Air Force) )

2 Mk.54

  • Ghana Ghana (Ghana Air Force)

2 Mk.53

  • Iraq Iraq (Al Quwwa al Jawwiya al Iraqiya ( Iraqi Air Force ) )

12 Mk.52

  • Oman Oman ( Royal Air Force of Oman) ( RAFO )

2 HC.2

  • Uruguay Uruguay ( Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (FAU ), Armada Nacional ( Aviación Naval Uruguaya )) ( ANU)

FAU: 11 HC.2, ANU: 5 HC.Mk.2, 2 Mk.53, Mk.54 1

  • United Kingdom United Kingdom ( Royal Air Force, Royal Navy )

RAF: 72 HC.2/HAR.2, 2 HCC.4, RN: 94 HAS.1, 42 HAS.3, 101 HU.5 ( including 21 for the Royal Marines)

In Germany, the 18th Squadron of the RAF Germany flew the HC.Mk.2 from the airport Gütersloh January 1965 to November 1980, with a break in January 1968 and August 1970.

Household users

  • United Kingdom United Kingdom Bristow Helicopters

16 Mk.60

Ascension Island Westland Aircraft Westland Whirlwind (helicopter) Fleet Air Arm SAR Royal Air Force Germany
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