Westland Wessex
in Fleet Air Arm (RAN)

Ordered in Jun 1961, 27 units built as HAS.31 (based on the UK RN HAS.3) with a 1540 shp Gazelle Mk 162 engine, between Sep 1962 and Sep 1963. First served in Anti-Submarine Warfare role and deployed on HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Sydney until decommissioning, then shore based at Nowra, NSW. Upgraded in 1969 to Mk.31B, which included a Ryan AN/APN-97 Doppler Radar with under-fuselage antenna and refitted with the Gazelle 165 engine. Replaced in ASW role by Sea King Mk.50 in 1975. In 1976 most had their ASW equipment removed and they reverted to a general utility role. In 1984 some were used in an Army Support role, while a few others returned to sea deployments operating from HMAS Stalwart and HMAS Tobruk. Most had been withdrawn by 1989. All service ceased by 1991.