Westland Wessex
| Wessex | |
|---|---|
| Former Royal Navy Wessex HU.5 of the Historic Helicopters Collection, in 2022 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Helicopter |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Westland Aircraft Westland Helicopters |
| Primary users | Royal Navy |
| Number built | 382 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1958–1970 |
| Introduction date | 1961 |
| First flight | 20 June 1958 |
| Retired | 2003 (Royal Air Force) |
| Developed from | Sikorsky H-34 |
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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 licence 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. Early models were powered by a single Napier Gazelle engine, while 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 the UK in 2003.