Westland Wessex HC Mk.2 - XR528 / A2711, Construction Number: WA/150.
This is a HC Mk.2 variant it was an improved version of the Wessex HAS.1, it was designed for battlefield tactical support carrying upto 16 troops. It had twin Rolls-Royce Gnome engines and was capable of flying on a single engine. 73 HC2's were built.
First flight: 4th November 1964
Delivery Date: 10th December 1964
Used in the Middle East, Hong Kong and the UK.
From 1998 used for general instruction, then 2007 went to RAF Lyneham, Mid 2011 XR528 was moved to RAF Little Rissington (on part of the site still under ownership of the Ministry of Defence).
Some sources suggest that this helicopter is privately owned others suggest it still in RAF/MOD ownership and has some instructional use.
I observed (July 2012) a lot of used 5.56mm cartridges (blanks) scattered around nearby.
I first visited this site in July 2011, took a few photos but didn't feel there was enough there to warrant posting a report. At that time the helicopter was secure with locks and ties holding everything tight, the only hole into the helicopter was the broken window in the cockpit door.
A few photos began appearing on the internet in 2011 followed by more in the early part of 2012, it seems that the helicopter gets opened up, bits moved around then someone comes along tidies up puts it back together again - so it seems like it is being looked after. A few parts have disappeared in the last twelve months and other bits vandalised.
Hopefully this report is not too pic heavy:
July 2011
July 2012
Starting on the outside:
Now into the cockpit:
Into the Cabin
Belts in the cabin last serviced April 1996:
Looking down the tail:
Now a few hatches to carefully open and close
I didn't quite get round it all before making a sharpish exit.
This is a HC Mk.2 variant it was an improved version of the Wessex HAS.1, it was designed for battlefield tactical support carrying upto 16 troops. It had twin Rolls-Royce Gnome engines and was capable of flying on a single engine. 73 HC2's were built.
First flight: 4th November 1964
Delivery Date: 10th December 1964
Used in the Middle East, Hong Kong and the UK.
From 1998 used for general instruction, then 2007 went to RAF Lyneham, Mid 2011 XR528 was moved to RAF Little Rissington (on part of the site still under ownership of the Ministry of Defence).
Some sources suggest that this helicopter is privately owned others suggest it still in RAF/MOD ownership and has some instructional use.
I observed (July 2012) a lot of used 5.56mm cartridges (blanks) scattered around nearby.
I first visited this site in July 2011, took a few photos but didn't feel there was enough there to warrant posting a report. At that time the helicopter was secure with locks and ties holding everything tight, the only hole into the helicopter was the broken window in the cockpit door.
A few photos began appearing on the internet in 2011 followed by more in the early part of 2012, it seems that the helicopter gets opened up, bits moved around then someone comes along tidies up puts it back together again - so it seems like it is being looked after. A few parts have disappeared in the last twelve months and other bits vandalised.
Hopefully this report is not too pic heavy:
July 2011
July 2012
Starting on the outside:
Now into the cockpit:
Into the Cabin
Belts in the cabin last serviced April 1996:
Looking down the tail:
Now a few hatches to carefully open and close
I didn't quite get round it all before making a sharpish exit.
