[MKM144023] Westland Wessex HC.2/HAR.2 ‘RAF Workhorse’

Description

A British licence development of the Sikorsky S-58, the Westland Wessex was a general purpose duties all-metal helicopter produced by Westland Aircraft Ltd.

The Wessex HC.2 was designed for battlefield tactical support, troop-carrying and casualty evacuation. Powered by twin Rolls-Royce Gnome turboshaft engines in a redesigned nose (compared to HAS.1/3), the pre-production prototype first flew in October 1962 and the type entered RAF service early in 1964.

In the period 1976-96 the Wessex was also used in the SAR role under the designation HAR.2. Covering both day and night call-outs, they carried out invaluable work in air, sea and mountain rescue roles.

A total of 72 Wessex HC.2s were built by Westland, the last of which was delivered in July 1968. It provided a lengthy service, flying with units both in the UK and overseas, with the last machines withdrawn in January 2003.

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1)   Wessex HC.2, Black XR505/WA, No.2 Squadron., No.2 Flying Training School, Royal Air Force, RAF Shawbury, spring 1995

2)   Wessex HC.2, Black XR523/M, No.60 Squadron, Royal Air Force, RAF Benson, November 1995

3)   Wessex HC.2, Black XS675/Ace of Spades, No.84 Squadron, UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) mission, RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, February 1997

4)   Wessex HAR.2, Black XV720, No.22 Squadron, SAR (Search & Rescue) Training Unit, Royal Air Force, SBAC Farnborough, September 1988 (RAF RESQUE) or RAF Valley, 1995 (RAF RESCUE)

Assembly instructions:

MKM144023 Wessex HC_HAR.2_instr web