“ The A/C (ZE449) was repaired and converted to RAF HC MK1 standard at the Weston -super-Mare Division of Westland Helicopters Ltd, (latterly known as Westland Industrial Products Ltd.) over a prolonged period, until final completion and delivery to RAF service in 2001. The major structural elements in the cockpit and nose wheel box areas had been severely damaged by a grenade during the Falklands Conflict. These were replaced using salvaged items, taken from Puma XW215, which had ditched in the sea and was considered to be beyond economical repair (Cat 5) and written off in the mid 1990's. Other RAF MK1 specific parts and installations were obtained from RAF spares stock or manufactured from new, to complete the conversion.

Before arriving to the factory for the actual conversion work, it had spent a number of years as a Static Training Aid in RAF workshops. Consequently, it had deteriorated even further since it was damaged during the Conflict. They managed to salvage the central part of the airframe: the Cabin area between the Cockpit Bulkhead and the Transportation Joint (Tail boom / Main fuselage joint line) and even this had to undergo some major repairs and modification work before it was fit for use. The vast majority of the other items - Fuel and Hydraulic systems, Engines and all Transmission and Rotor items, had to be replaced. It had a new Tail Boom and Horizontal Stabiliser, plus completely new Electrical / Avionic Systems and Undercarriage.

After the major airframe was repaired. ZE449 was the last Puma to leave the Weston facility before the site closed in 2002. ”