An RAF Search and Rescue Wessex in its distinctive yellow scheme (MOD)

The helicopter was developed for naval purposes immediately after the Second World War and is today a vital naval weapon.

After 1961 the Westland Wessex, an American design manufactured in Britain, replaced the Whirlwind in the Royal Navy anti-submarine role.

A commando assault version was developed and saw service during the confrontation between Britain and Indonesia in the early 1960s and later in the Falklands War of 1982. The Wessex was widely used as a search and rescue aircraft and two specially furnished Wessex HC4s were provided for the Queen's Flight.

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