The venerable Wessex has been in RAF service now for over 30 years, and will continue to serve with Nos 72 and 84 for some years to come. Those aircraft still in service are the last of around 60 aircraft ordered for the RAF, and are used a light support helicopters (and search and rescue duties in Cyprus) capable of carrying 16 fully-equipped troops. Previous RAF roles included search and rescue, training and VIP/royal transport duties with the Queens Flight.

Powerplant: Two Rolls-Royce Gnome 112/113 coupled turbines of 1,550shp.

Rotor Diameter: 56ft (17.07m)

Length: 48ft 4.5in (14.74m); rotors turning: 65ft 10.5in (20.09m)

Max Speed: 132mph (212km/h)

Accommodation: Crew of two and 16 troops.

Recognition: Engines located in the nose with a front air intake and exhaust pipes below the cockpit, which is situated above the passenger cabin. Fuselage tapers gradually to the tail fin. Four-blade main rotor located behind and above the cockpit. Fixed undercarriage with large mainwheels either side of the cabin; tailwheel below the rear fuselage. Four-blade tail rotor on the port side of the fin.