Wessex HU5 Helicopter - Dumfries Aviation Museum - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

This helicopter, XT486, arrived at Dumfries Aviation Museum for display on 13 June 2007. It had served in the Falklands campaign and prior to the museum, had been at an army camp training area at Altcar just north of Liverpool. The rotors and wheel struts were removed before hauling up the motorway. XT486 is almost complete, lacking engine and avionics.

The information plaque reads.

"Wessex HU5 XT486
XT486 was assigned to 847 squadron when it
reformed on 4th May, 1982 under the
command of Lt. Cmdr. M D Booth who was ex-senior pilot with 845 squadron.

The helicopter sailed for the south 
Atlantic and the Falklands war on the ship 
Engadine on the 9th May, 1982 arriving at the TEZ
(Total Exclusion Zone) on 6th June.

XT486 was seconded to 848 squadron, D
flight on Tidepool. The helicopter suffered 
storm damage on June 15th aboard HMS
Glamorgan (to Cat 4). She was lifted ashore 
to Port San Carlos by Chinook ZA705 on 19th 
June. Between 10th /12th July Atlantic 
Causeway began with the loading of
aircraft for the return to the UK. Arriving
Devonport on 27th July and was 
transported by road to Culdrose around
1st August. The squadron was disbanded on
24th September, 1982.

During the Falklands conflict 847 squadron 
flew over 1,000 sorties."

The Mark 5 was a Navy version. The Navy used Marks 1, 3 and 5, and the RAF Marks 2 and 4. This one was a gate-guard at JATE and marked up in fake RAF marks. from Visit Link

Prior to this in 1974 XT486 was seen at RAF Oldham, where it was in 707 squadron. Visit Link

In 1970 XT486 was an exhibit at Farnborough 1970 air show. Visit Link

Links
Dumfries Aviation Museum page
Airplane net - Visit Link
HU5 Model History
Air Crash Sites Scotland Visit Link
Summary of Dumfries Aviation Museum including list of airframes
1974 at RAF Oldham
at Altcar TC for Loading/Unloading Drills

Streetmap location

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Wessex HU5 helicopter Tail Number: (S/N): XT486 (WA308 airframe) Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Dumfries Aviation Museum inside / outside: outside Other Information:: Dumfries Aviation Museum are only open certain dates. Check before travelling. Access restrictions: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

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