Aircraft of the ADF – N7 Westland Wessex

N7 – Westland Wessex HAS.31

The Navy announced on November 26 1959 that from 1963, the intended withdrawal date of the Gannets and Sea Venoms, only anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters would be operated.

Late the following year, plans were made for the conversion of HMAS Melbourne into an anti-submarine carrier operating helicopters in anticipation of the disbandment of the fixed wing element of the Fleet Air Arm.

The helicopters under consideration for the rotary wing ASW role were the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, the Kaman H-43 Huskie and the Westland Wessex. Evaluations during 1961 led to the selection of the Wessex, and this was announced on June 29 1961. The order for 27 helicopters was placed on April 4 1962, and the project cost, including spares, was $14m (then £7m).

This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.

Login

Become a Member

To continue reading the rest of this article, please login.

Username or Email

Password Forgot password?

Keep me signed in on this device.

If you check this box before you log in, you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return, even if you close your browser and come back later.

If you check the box above before you log in, you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return, even if you close your browser and come back later.

---

or

---

Login with a Passkey

To unlock all Australian Aviation magazine content and again unlimited access to our daily news and features, become a member today!
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.

PRINT

$49.95 for 1 year Become a Member

See benefits

• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website

MOST POPULAR

PRINT + DIGITAL

$99.95 for 1 year Become a Member

$179.95 for 2 years Become a Member

See benefits

• Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
• Access to the Australian Aviation app
• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
• Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
• Daily news updates via our email bulletin

DIGITAL

$5.99 Monthly Become a Member

$59.95 Annual Become a Member

See benefits

• Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
• Access to the Australian Aviation app
• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
• Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
• Daily news updates via our email bulletin

View more offers and details