Westland Wessex HAS.1, c/n WA012, f/f:? del Royal Navy as XM331, 1961 perished Predannack 05/1993.
Used in the Wessex Arctic Trials in late 1961 and early 1962. Initially based at RCAF Uplands, Ottowa, for spray rig trials. In January 1962, it flew 1750 miles to Fort Churchill, Manitoba (escorted by a RCAF Dakota) over 5 days (flight time 20 hours, 40 minutes). Here it conducted engine trials in the extremely cold Arctic temperatures. In March 1962, it flew back to Uplands (flight time 18 hours, 20 minutes - faster due to less headwinds). It was then crated up for the return (by ship) to the UK. My father, Philip W Smith, was the Napier representative for the trials.
