Westland Wessex
in Royal Marines

The Wessex NEVER served with the Royal Marines although some Royal Marines did fly them on occasions. You will know that the Royal Marines only operated small helicopters such as Sious, Scout, Gazelle and Lynx under the title of 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron (3 CBAS). Up to 1982 3 CBAS a/c were flown by Non Officer (SNCO) ranks such as Sgt RM and were crewed by RM JNCO's (Cpls) and Marines who acted as air gunners in some cases. Reformed in 1983 to come under the banner of the the Royal Navy as 847 NAS. This meant the end of SNCO and JNCO aircrew. They would be flown by RN and RM Officers only. The 847 NAS mentioned in Mar 1969 were simply part of the routine FAA list of Sqns and whilst operating to transport Royal Marines in the Commando role were never operated by that corps. -