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| Del'd: 71 - 1950 to 1967
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| History of this Model in this Organisation: | | |
One of the six Sikorsky S-51s imported by Westland was chartered by the RN for trials on board HMS Vengenance (R71) in Jan 1949, while the Westland development programme continued. This was handed back in May 1949 and resulted in an order for 13 Dragonfly HR.1 (with wooden main rotors). First HR.1s came off the line in mid 1949. Between 13 Jan 1950 and Jun 1950, 705 Naval Air Squadron received 12 Dragonfly HR.1 with the UK Alvis Leonides 50 engine, replacing the Hoverfly. Much work was done in developing Search and Rescue (SAR), planeguard and Small Ships technique.
The Dragonfly replaced the Sea Otter in the SAR role and it also served as a plane guard, during fixed wing carrier operations (replacing a Destroyer and around 250 souls in the role) recovering the crew in case of deck accidents. 1st SAR Dragonfly unit embarked on HMS Indomitable (R92) on 12 Jan 1951. 2nd SAR unit on HMS Glory (R62) from Apr 1951 and rescued downed pilots during the Korean War.
These were followed into service by another 58 Dragonfly HR.3 (with metal main rotors). They served at numerous Station SAR Flights and aboard the UK carrier fleet. RNAS Lossiemouth (HMS Fulmar) was the 1st shore station to equip its SAR Flight with Dragonfly in Mar 1953. 15 RN shore stations and 9 RN carriers operated SAR Flights during the 1950s.
The Dragonfly HR.5 was an improved Royal Naval variant with a more powerful Alvis Leonides 5/231 engine, better communication equipment and instrumentation, introduced from 1953 (after lessons learned from the Dutch floods) by conversion of 25 existing HR.1 and HR.3 airframes, some converted at RNAY Donibristle.
There was a single Dragonfly planeguard: - on HMS Eagle (R05) between 1952 and 1959
- on HMS Albion (R07) & HMS Centaur (R06) from 1954 to 1960
- on HMS Bulwark (R08) 1955-1958
- on HMS Ark Royal (R09) from 1955 to 1960 and
- on HMS Hermes (R12) from 1960 to early 1962.
705 NAS operated Dragonfly types until its last HR.5 was retired in Mar 1962. The last Dragonfly HR.1 were retired from BRNC Flight at Plymouth in Jun 1967. Total of 71 HR.1, HR.3 and HR.5 were built, the last being delivered in Sep 1953. Overall, the Dragonfly served the RN with reliability and distinction for 17 years.  Plans for 18 further Dragonfly HR.3s (WP505-WP510 and WV933-WV944) were cancelled by the RN. |
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| Construction Numbers of this Model in this Organisation: | Help Us | |
| C/N | Mod | Built | ID In this Organisation | In other Org |
| | wa/h/067 | | 1952 | WH991: ff 4 Feb 1953 as HR.3, dd 24 Feb 1953 to RN at Gosport. To HMS Illustrious (R87) Ship's Flt 24 Apr 1953 where it was damaged 1 May 1953 and returned to Westland for repair. Flying again by Autumn 1953, to 705 Sq on 14 Jan 1954. To HMS Centaur (R06) Ship's Flt on 18 Dec 1954. To Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) May 1956 then to Eglinton Station Flt Jun 1956. Converted to HR.5 by May 1958. In Mar 1959 upper surfaces painted light colour for thermal trials in Caribbean aboard HMS Vidal as /969, returning to UK by Jul 1960. To 700(H) Sq at Yeovilton (HMS Heron) 2 May 1961. Undertook trials with Indian Navy aboard INS Vikrant (ex HMS Hercules) and on to 705 Sq. Stored at Culdrose by 1964, to RNAY Fleetlands by 1967 and struck off charge Jun 1970. Sold.
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| 1 C/N found in this Organisation
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