CORGI AA37607 WESTLAND WESSEX - 771NAS ROYAL NAVY

In 1969, 771 Naval Air Squadron re-equipped with the Wessex HAS-1 at Portland; previously they had operated the Whirlwind and ran the Search and Rescue (SAR) Flight together with their responsibility for Fleet requirements of Flag Officer Sea Training.

In 1974 they moved to RNAS Culdrose, where they remain to the present day.

In 1979 the Squadron re-equipped with the Wessex HU.5 and was responsible for the SAR commitment from Culdrose. The squadron also provided training for those destined for SAR duties.

The Wessex remained with 771 NAS until it was replaced with the Sea King Mk4 in 1988. Following retirement XT474 was stored for some years at the Fleetlands Air Museum but following its closure in 2001 the aircraft was eventually scrapped in April 2004.