Westland Wessex HU.5, XS482
With its first flight on the 18th December 1963, this Royal Navy helicopter served with 700 and 848 Naval Air Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm. In 1968, it became a research aircraft for de-icing trials and was based at Farnborough until 1985. During that time, it also conducted similar trials in Norway and Canada. After its withdrawal from service it became an instructional airframe at the Farnborough Apprentice School before being transferred to Manston. The museum acquired the airframe in 1999 and it was re-painted to represent a Wessex HC.2 of 22 Squadron, a unit that carried out Search and Rescue at Manston between June 1976 and August 1988.
Aircraft Facts
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Airframes that were produced | 101 |
| Manufacturer(s) | Westland Aircraft/Helicopters |
| First Flight | 5th February 1964 |
| Retired | 2003 (Royal Air Force) |
| Top Speed | 132 mph (212 km/h, 115 kn) |
| Range | 310 mi (500 km, 270 nmi) with standard fuel |
| Main Rotor diameter | 56 ft 0 in (17.07 m) |
| Service Ceiling | 12,000 ft (3,700 m) |
| Powerplant | 2 × de Havilland Gnome H.1200 Mk.110/111 turboshaft, 1,350 shp (1,010 kW) each (limited to 1,550 shp (1,160 kW) total) |
| Length | 65 ft 10 in (20.07 m) |
| Height | 15 ft 10 in (4.83 m) |