Wessex Over South Armagh by Michael Rondot
For 33 years, the Wessex has been at the
centre of RAF operations in Northern Ireland. As a reliable workhorse the
Wessex has no equal, but after 31st March 2002 the "Mighty
Wessex" will be retired from frontline operations. No. 72 Squadron
received its first Wessex in 1964 at RAF Odiham and deployed to Northern
Ireland on 15th August 1969 when Air Marshal Sir Tim Jenner (then a junior
pilot) landed the first Wessex at the start of the current Troubles. Since
then, the Wessex has been employed on all major security operations as
well as day-to-day troop carrying and re-supply tasks. It enjoys a unique
reputation as a tough and reliable foundry-built aircraft and will be
sorely missed by the aircrew who regard it as an indestructible evergreen.
To commemorate the retirement of the Mighty Wessex, Michael Rondot
has painted in his Classic Combat Aircraft series a striking image of a pair
of gun-armed Wessex over a scene of an incident in the border area of
South Armagh "Bandit Country".
Air Chief Marshal Sir John Day KCB OBE ADC: John Day was a student pilot at RAF Syerston in 1968 two courses
behind the artist and since then has raced up the RAF promotion ladder. He
began his flying career on Wessex helicopters in 1969, joining No 72
Squadron at RAF Odiham. Then, after 2 tour as a flying instructor he
returned to the Wessex with No 18 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh. He commanded
No 72 Squadron at RAF Aldegrove in 1983 and was Air Officer Commanding No
1 Group, during which time he flew all of the helicopter types in RAF
service and most of the fast jet types, including qualifying as a Jaguar
single-seat pilot. In 2001 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief Strike
Command and continues to fly regularly in many types of fixed-wing
aircraft and helicopters, retaining a special affection for the Wessex
Wessex Over The Copelands by David Pentland Westland Wessex of No.72 Squadron based at RAF
Aldergrove, flying
over the Copeland Islands in Belfast Lough.
Joint Rescue by David Pentland Joint exercise between a RNLI Lifeboat and a Royal Air Force
Westland Wessex from 72 Squadron off the coast of Northern Ireland.
Pup Northern Ireland by John Wynne
HopkinsA Royal Air Force Wessex HC2 Helicopter picks up troops somewhere in
Northern Ireland.
