Westland Wasp

The Westland Wasp was a British small first-generation, gas-turbine powered, shipboard anti-submarine helicopter. Produced by Westland Helicopters, it came from the same P.531 programme as the British Army Westland Scout, and was based on the earlier piston-engined Saunders-Roe Skeeter. It fulfilled the "MAnned Torpedo-Carrying Helicopter" (MATCH) requirement of the Royal Navy for a helicopter small enough to land on the deck of a frigate and carry a useful load of two homing torpedoes.
The Wasp HAS.Mk 1 was introduced to service in the small ships role in 1964, after an intensive period of trials by 700(W) IFTU between June 1963 and March 1964. It served in this primary role with 829 Naval Air Squadron, but also in training units to supply crews for the front line with 706 NAS between 1965 and 1967 and in 703 NAS between 1972 and 1981. Single airframes also served for light liaison duties in the Commando Assault squadrons, 845 NAS and 848 NAS until 1973. Although effective as a submarine killer, it was best deployed paired with a Wessex HAS.3 submarine hunter. In the late 1970s, the Westland Lynx gradually started to replace the Wasp.

On 25 April 1982 the Argentinian submarine ARA Santa Fe was spotted by a Wessex HAS Mk 3 helicopter from HMS Antrim. The Wessex then attacked it with depth charges. HMS Plymouth launched a Westland Wasp HAS.Mk.1 helicopter, and HMS Brilliant launched a Westland Lynx HAS Mk 2. The Lynx attacked the submarine with a MK 46 torpedo, and also strafed it with its pintle-mounted GPMG; the Wessex also fired on the Santa Fe with its GPMG. The Wasp from Plymouth as well as two other Wasps launched from HMS Endurance fired AS.12 antiship missiles at the submarine, scoring hits. Santa Fe was damaged badly enough to prevent her from submerging. The crew abandoned the submarine at the jetty at King Edward Point on South Georgia and surrendered to the British forces, thus becoming the first casualty of the sea war, as well as the first direct engagement by the Royal Navy Task Force.

The last Wasp was finally withdrawn from service in 1988 when the last of the Type 12 Rothesay class frigates was decommissioned.

Copyright © 2010 Malcolm Auld

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[mrjackmancomic]

hahahahaha! its like a toad!

[GearzVoNKod3]

looks like it may have been a bitch to control

[britrb32]

@millimetreperfect Designed to meet up comming decks in heavy seas :)

[millimetreperfect]

Look at that demonstration of the forgiving undercarriage at 3.28 - That would suit me just fine!

[mtmckee]

I used to see in these helicopters in Northern Ireland, but never go any way close to them.

[SuperGobshyte]

A superb and highly reliable little machine

[Lugmag001]

The Westland Wasp was also used by the South African Navy in the 60's and 70's.

In Particular the SA Navy Frigate SAS President Kruger. My oldest brother, Michael, was stationed on this Frigate in 1971

[Hanglands]

A typically great 'auldm' video, good video, good sound. What has always fascinated me about these craft is just how cramped the cockpits look. two guys in flying suits just simply do not go, I almost cant believe they were withdrawn as late as '88. Though the closest Ive got is sitting at RAFM Hendon having lunch!