Wessex

Westland's Wessex was a twin‑engine, turbine‑powered helicopter that entered service in the late 1950s and became one of the most versatile rotorcraft in the British fleet. Developed from the Sikorsky S‑58, the Wessex was built under licence at Westland’s Yeovil plant, with the first prototype flying on 12 September 1958. The aircraft featured a robust airframe, a four‑bladed main rotor, and a pair of Blackburn Turbomeca Turmo Mk 32 gas‑turbine engines delivering 1,400 shaft horsepower each, which gave it a markedly higher payload and range than its piston‑engine predecessor. Its spacious cabin could be configured for troop transport, medical evacuation, search‑and‑rescue, anti‑submarine warfare, or cargo, and the type could be equipped with a belly‑mounted winch, radar, and weapon stations. The Wessex saw extensive service with the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and numerous overseas operators, participating in Falklands, Borneo, and Northern Ireland operations. Its reliability and adaptability set a standard for medium‑lift helicopters, influencing later designs such as the Westland Sea King and cementing Westland’s reputation as a leading British rotorcraft manufacturer. The type remained in frontline service until the early 1990s, demonstrating its durability.

Westland Aircraft

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