Whirlwind, Wessex & Sea King - Historic Helicopters - Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow 2021 arrival

A trio of ex British military historic helicopters, part of the growing Historic Helicopters fleet based at Chard, Somerset, arriving at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford for the Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow 2021.

The oldest is former Royal Air Force Westland Whirlwind HAR Mk.10 XJ729.
Built originally to HAR.2 standard, she was first flown from Westland’s Yeovil factory on 18th January 1956 (serial No. WA100) and, by March she was on strength with 22 Search and Rescue Squadron, RAF St. Mawgan.

In 1961 she was upgraded by Westland Helicopters to HAR.10 standard, before returning to St. Mawgan in March 1962. During an extensive service life, she also spent time at RAF Leconfield, RAF Leuchars, RAF Coltishall and RAF Chivenor, before ending her career at the Search and Rescue Training Unit at RAF Valley, Anglesey.

After withdrawal from service, she was sent to RAF Finningley, as an instructional airframe and began to deteriorate and was sold for scrap. She was rescued and an extensive period of restoration began, culminating in her static appearance at the 1995 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. A businessman from Mullingar, Ireland bought the aircraft and operated her regularly at Airshows and public events, until her Certificate of Airworthiness expired in 2007. She then disappeared from public view until a UK based businessman purchased the aircraft and brought her back to England in 2013. Following extensive work, and much investment, XJ729 was granted a Certificate of Airworthiness at the end of November 2013.
She is now a purely civilian aircraft, has recently been refurbished (to be the lightest Whirlwind yet) and painted in the colours she wore when flown by 22 Squadron.

Westland Wessex, XT761, is now on the civil register as G-WSEX.
She was built by Westland Helicopters, Yeovil in 1966 with constructors number WA483.
Her first flight was on 3rd October 1966 with Westland pilot Mr LCE De Vigne. She was delivered to the Royal Naval Air Yard at Flatlands on 20th October 1966 and then went to 707 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) at Royal Naval Air Station, Culdrose (uncoded), on 6th February 1967 and then she went to 848 NAS ( coded “Z”) on 7th March 1967 The Westland Wessex was a British-built, turbine-powered development of the Sikorsky S-58/H-34. It was developed and produced under license by Westland Aircraft (later Westland Helicopters). One of the main changes from Sikorsky’s S-58/H-34 was the replacement of the piston-engine powerplant with a turboshaft engine. The Wessex was the first large mass-produced helicopter designed around the use of a gas turbine 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 and later for the Royal Air Force; 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 helicopter. The type entered operational service in 1961, and had a service life in excess of 40 years before being retired in Britain.


Joining the Historic Helicopters she underwent a 15000 man-hour 24-month restoration to return to flight following over 32 years on the ground.


Westland Sea King - This Sea King was built by Westland, Yeovil in 1978 (c/n WA683) and first flew on 22nd June. During service she was assigned to 22, 78, 202 and 203 Squadrons, RAF.

The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines (derived from the US General Electric T58), British-made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised flight control system. The Sea King was primarily designed for performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. A Sea King variant was adapted by Westland as troop transport known as the Commando.

In British service, the Westland Sea King provided a wide range of services in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. As well as wartime roles in the Falklands War, the Gulf War, the Balkans conflict, the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War, the Sea King is perhaps most well known in its capacity as a Royal Navy Search and Rescue (red and grey livery) and RAF Search and Rescue Force (yellow livery) helicopter. The Sea King was also adapted to meet the Royal Navy’s requirement for a ship-based airborne early warning platform.

XZ597 was one of a small number of Sea Kings to be painted Dark Sea Grey for duty in the post-war Falkland Islands.

Joining the Historic Helicopter team has resulted in this Iconic aircraft being returned to flight and she is now registered with the CAA as G-SKNG.


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