The Wessex Helicopter

Used as part of military air defences during the Falklands War, the Wessex helicopter was a relied upon workhorse. The helicopter first took to the skies in July 1958, most often with a two-man crew, although it was capable of carrying up to 16 passengers. The craft could reach 12,000 feet and had a maximum speed of 132 mph and a maximum range of 310 miles.

In terms of usage during the Falklands conflict, Wessex helicopters were made use of, amongst other times, on 21 April by the Special Air Service to land in South Georgia. They were once again put to use when they left the following day, and it was at this time that one of the helicopters was lost due to the inclement weather. The men who were due to be removed using the lost Wessex helicopter were still extracted using another of the helicopters, proving their worth even when overloaded.

See also: The Sea Harrier