Westland Wessex HU.5
Westland Helicopters · UK · first flew 1963 · helicopter
The Wessex HU.5 is the twin-Gnome commando assault variant of the Westland Wessex family, used by the Royal Marines for amphibious operations. It is powered by coupled Bristol Siddeley Gnome engines rather than the single Napier Cougar of the ASW variants.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 20.04 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin Gnome engine installation giving a flat, wide engine cowling rather than the Cougar single-engine hump of the HAS.3
- Large square cabin doors on both sides — commando assault configuration with 16 troops capacity
- Royal Marines or Royal Navy markings; dark olive/green paint for the commando assault role
The flat-topped engine cowling reflecting the coupled twin Gnomes is the HU.5's primary difference from the ASW Wessex variants' more rounded cowling. The large cabin doors and absence of ASW equipment (sonar, torpedoes) confirm the assault role. The four-blade main rotor and T-tail configuration are common to all Wessex variants.
Specifications
- The Westland Wessex HU.5 has a length of 20.04 m (66 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.07 m (56 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 212 km/h (132 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entered Royal Navy service 1964 with 848 Naval Air Squadron for Royal Marines commando operations. Served in Aden, Borneo, and the Falklands (1982), where HU.5s of 845 NAS were central to the amphibious assault. The type replaced the Whirlwind in the commando role and was itself replaced by the Sea King HC.4.
Variants
The HAS.1 and HAS.3 are ASW variants with Cougar or single Gnome engines. The HC.2 served the RAF in the support helicopter role. The HU.5 is unique in the twin-Gnome layout for the Royal Marines.
Where you'll see it
Royal Navy 845, 847, 848 NAS 1964-1988. Static examples at FAAM Yeovilton and RAF Museum Hendon; XT482 at Yeovilton is a Falklands veteran.
Related aircraft
- Westland Wessex HAS.3
- Westland Wessex HC.2
- Wessex
- Westland Sea King
- Agusta / Westland AB 47G-3B-1
- Bell 207 Sioux Scout
- Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100
- FH-1100 Phoenix
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