Westland Wessex
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The Westland Wessex was the gas turbine version of the piston engined Sikorsky S-58 Helicopter and was built by Westland under license and fitted with a1,100shp Napier Gazelle11 gas turbine engine. The first prototype flew in May 1957, and went into production for the Royal Navy (RN) as HAS (Helicopter Anti Submarine) Mk1. Delivery to the RN Fleet Air Arm(RNFAA) was from 1961 and used as a Submarine Search and Strike helicopter with a "Dipping Sonar"
In all, 356 examples were built in Britain between 1958 and 1970, and in addition to the RN they also served with the Royal Air Force (RAF).
In 1959 the Australian Government planned to disband the RAN Fleet Air Arm(RANFAA) and ordered twenty seven Wessex Mk31A helicopters, similar to the HAS Mk1 but with a 1,540shp Napier Gazelle engine, for September 1962 delivery. The planned disbanding of the FAA was rescinded and McDonnel Douglas A4 Skyhawk and Grumman Tracker aircraft purchased.
The Wessex machines were deployed on HMAS Melbourne for the first time in June 1993, and with their "Dipping Sonar" and long loiter periods gave the Navy strong day and night anti-submarine capability.
In their twenty seven years of service with the RANFAA the Wessex helicopters performed with distinction with Squadron Nos 723, 725. 816 and 817 while deployed on HMAS Melbourne and HMAS's Sydney, Stalwart, Tobruk and Success.
The Museum's Wessex N7-204 was delivered to the RANFAA in 1962 and operated as a front line machine in the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role until 1975 after which it served as a utility and SAR helicopter for the fleet, and in counter terrorism operations with the Australian Army until retired in 1989. It was allocated to the RMIT as an instructional airframe but not used, and was then donated to the Museum.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 4
Power plant : 1 x 1,540 shp Napier Gazelle gas turbine engine.
Length : 65'07'' (20.0m) with rotor blades extended and 38'04'' (11.7m) with them folded.
Height : 14'09'' (4.5m)
Weights : empty - 8,305lbs (3,767kg) maximum - 13,499lbs (6,123kg)
Speed : 108kt (130mph) (208km/hr)
Range : 310 miles (480km)
In all, 356 examples were built in Britain between 1958 and 1970, and in addition to the RN they also served with the Royal Air Force (RAF).
In 1959 the Australian Government planned to disband the RAN Fleet Air Arm(RANFAA) and ordered twenty seven Wessex Mk31A helicopters, similar to the HAS Mk1 but with a 1,540shp Napier Gazelle engine, for September 1962 delivery. The planned disbanding of the FAA was rescinded and McDonnel Douglas A4 Skyhawk and Grumman Tracker aircraft purchased.
The Wessex machines were deployed on HMAS Melbourne for the first time in June 1993, and with their "Dipping Sonar" and long loiter periods gave the Navy strong day and night anti-submarine capability.
In their twenty seven years of service with the RANFAA the Wessex helicopters performed with distinction with Squadron Nos 723, 725. 816 and 817 while deployed on HMAS Melbourne and HMAS's Sydney, Stalwart, Tobruk and Success.
The Museum's Wessex N7-204 was delivered to the RANFAA in 1962 and operated as a front line machine in the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role until 1975 after which it served as a utility and SAR helicopter for the fleet, and in counter terrorism operations with the Australian Army until retired in 1989. It was allocated to the RMIT as an instructional airframe but not used, and was then donated to the Museum.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 4
Power plant : 1 x 1,540 shp Napier Gazelle gas turbine engine.
Length : 65'07'' (20.0m) with rotor blades extended and 38'04'' (11.7m) with them folded.
Height : 14'09'' (4.5m)
Weights : empty - 8,305lbs (3,767kg) maximum - 13,499lbs (6,123kg)
Speed : 108kt (130mph) (208km/hr)
Range : 310 miles (480km)