Westland WS-58 Wessex

The Westland WS-58 Wessex was a British-built turbine-powered development of the Sikorsky H-34, it was developed and produced under license by Westland Aircraft (later Westland Helicopters). One of the main changes from Sikorsky's 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 use of a gas turbine engine. Early models were powered by a single Napier Gazelle engine, later builds used a pair of de Havilland Gnome engines.

The Wessex was initially produced for the Royal Navy (RN) and later for the Royal Air Force (RAF); 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 recognized for its use as a search and rescue (SAR) helicopter. The type entered operational service in 1961, and had a service life in excess of 40 years before being retired in Britain.

Users

 * Australia
 * Royal Australian Navy
 * Brunei
 * Royal Brunei Air Force
 * Ghana
 * Ghana Air Force
 * Iraq
 * Iraqi Air Force
 * Oman
 * Royal Air Force of Oman
 * United Kingdom
 * Empire Test Pilots' School
 * Royal Air Force
 * Royal Navy
 * Uruguay
 * Uruguayan Air Force
 * Uruguayan Navy