Wessex Chopper
Submitted: Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 18:54
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Hollywood
Just a
point of interest for our Vietnam Veterans of the Nautical airborne type.
In a few weeks, I am transporting a Wessex helicopter from HMAS Albatross for the National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island. The route at this stage takes us from Nowra to
Braidwood, onto the Federal. Now this is where one of two things will happen. Once the chopper is secured to the truck, we choose the route as we won't be 100% sure of the route we can take. If I can, I will go through
Canberra and onto Yass. Then straight down the Hume to
Melbourne and Phillip Island.
If you were involved with these warbirds and would like to see this one on here last (somewhat low level) flight, I will be happy to stop and meet you beside the road for a photo.
Reply By: Patrol22 - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 19:22
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 19:22
aaahhhh the memories Hollywood.....I work on the Wessex Mk31B at HMAS ALBATROSS (HT 725 and HS 817 Squadrons) and at sea in HMAS
MELBOURNE (HS817 Squadron) from 1971 until 1981.....great aircraft and can attest to many a grazed knuckle in wirelocking various components.
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Follow Up By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 02:23
Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 02:23
I was in the
Melbourne in 1981 as a middy getting my BWC on what turned out to be her last great cruise.
Cheers
Pete
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Reply By: Member - Mike (SA) - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 19:53
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 19:53
Oh the nostalgia! I was an Observer on the first Wessex 1 squadron - 815 NAS and served on HMS Ark Royal and HMS Centaur 1963/4. Later I "graduated" to Wessex 5 with 2 engines!
I would love to be on your route but SA is just too far way for the bus fare!
Are you transporting in full carrier mode, ie blades and tail folded and intact?
Please supply photos in due course. What a moment.
Bon voyage,
regards
Mike
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Follow Up By: Hollywood - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 20:06
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 20:06
In order to keep the costs down for the NVVM we had to take the rotorhead, gearbox and pitot tube off. :( I would have loved to take it down the road whole.
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Reply By: SDG - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 20:03
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 20:03
When we transported a house through
Canberra from Yass we had to gain Police Escort, and travel from Dawn. Between Yass and
Canberra was fine during the day, but was required to park on the outskirts till the following Dawn.
We were required to pay each Police officer an hourly rate.
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Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 22:28
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011 at 22:28
Hollywood,
Thanks for your interest in the Vets - Naval or otherwise.
The American Hueys (Iriquois) were the infantry work horse in Vietnam.
The Wessex’s were used by the Navy and not suited to Jungle combat (they were bigger and bulkier than the Hueys, and couldn’t operate two side gunners). The infrantry never saw much of them but I sure that the old salts will appreciate your offer.
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Follow Up By: Hollywood - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 19:11
Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 19:11
Just quietly, a birdy has told me of an Iriquois that may or may not be lifted to the same museum......And I may or may not (definately will) realease the details for our Veterans to meet me beside the road.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Friday, Jun 24, 2011 at 08:29
Friday, Jun 24, 2011 at 08:29
Their is a lovely Huey mounted on a 40ft pole here in Dandenong Victoria Dennis.
Its mounted on an angle such that as I drive past it every day it looks quite like its just coming in for a landing , causes a few suprizes when people first see it.
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Jun 24, 2011 at 11:46
Friday, Jun 24, 2011 at 11:46
Thanks for the info Robin.
I think the best display of a Huey, Ive seen, is in the War Museum in
Canberra.
Its part of audio video display showing them in operation.
Also has an excellent one on Long Tan also
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Reply By: Member Bushy 04(VIC) - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 09:19
Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 09:19
Struth, Hollywood trust you to do a job like that, will be available to see it I hope around
Seymour.
Have a safe one will see you then.
Bushy & grandson.
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Follow Up By: Hollywood - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 17:57
Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 17:57
Hope to get a photo of your grandson on the float...Should be in
Seymour on Wednesday. Do you know Puckapunyal?
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Reply By: Fred G NSW - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 10:09
Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 10:09
Great memories of Anti sub excercises with the Wessex boys, off Jervis Bay.
Sea King helicopters replaced Wessex in 817 Squadron on 2 February 1976; the Wessex were converted to the general utility role by removal of sonar equipment.
Image Could Not Be Found
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Reply By: Fred G NSW - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 10:12
Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 10:12
Hollywood, if you get some dates for us I would love to pass that info on to members of my association.
Fred
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Reply By: Member - Karl G (NSW) - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 22:01
Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 22:01
I am glad you are taking the chopper away I spend many hours working on them ,there were better aircraft to work on, there are a few in museums around the country
Karl G
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Reply By: Hollywood - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 05:48
Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 05:48
I have been away with work, and haven't had time to advertise it, but the Wessex leaves Nowra on Monday.
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Reply By: Member - John Q (QLD) - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 20:49
Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 20:49
Image Could Not Be Found
On board
HMAS Sydney travelling to SVN in March 1968.
John
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Follow Up By: Hollywood - Sunday, Jul 31, 2011 at 21:19
Sunday, Jul 31, 2011 at 21:19
John, number 31 is safely in the Vietnam Veterans Museum on Philip Island.
Point of interest, the RSL at Philip Island is quite nice, good tucker and a lot of artifacts.
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Reply By: Member - John Q (QLD) - Sunday, Jul 31, 2011 at 21:31
Sunday, Jul 31, 2011 at 21:31
Hi Hollywood,
Thanks, I visited the VV Museum in May however I need to spend some more time there but did manage to find a photo of myself among the displays. The Trackers Assoc I belong to has recently provided them with a display on the Tracker Dogs from that era. Yes we also had lunch at the RSL, pity is was cold & wet!!
John
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Follow Up By: Hollywood - Sunday, Jul 31, 2011 at 21:59
Sunday, Jul 31, 2011 at 21:59
They hosted myself and the two blokes I had assist with the move, along with Colin
Grey. Was very impressed. The video that is at the museum explains a lot about Vietnam that wasn't clear to my generation.
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