Wessex Retirement RAF Shawbury Looking Back (to my pre-digital camera days) March 27, 2002

A brief photo-report using my scanned slides taken during a base visit to see last flight of the remaining ten Westland Wessex with 72 Squadron which disbanded on April 1, 2002. Speaking on the day before during the final flight of a Wessex at RAF Odiham, 72 squadron's commanding officer, Wing Commander Andy McCauley, said: "Today is very poignant as Odiham was the home of 72 Squadron when the Wessex became our aircraft and it is sad to see the old girls closed down for the last time and the squadron disbanded after so many years." Wessex HC.2s with 72 Squadron: XR497 'F', XR525 'G', XV721 'H', XT676 'I', XV726 'J', XR511 'L', XV723 'Q', XT668 'S', XR506 'V' and XR498 'X'.

Wessex HC.2 (XT676 'I') with 72 Squadron.

Left to right: The ten Wessex arriving from Odiham via RAF Benson, lead by XT676 'I'.

Left to right: Wessex HC.2s (XT676 'I' and XR498 'X').

Left to right: Wessex HC.2s (XT676 'I', XR506 'V' and XT668 'S').

Left to right: Wessex HC.2s (XT668 'S', XV726 'J' and XT676 'I').

Wessex HC.2 (XT676 'I'), delivered to the Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya as '079' in 2003.

Left to right: Wessex HC.2s (XT676 'I' and XR506 'V').

Left to right: Wessex HC.2s (XT676 'I', XR506 'V' and XV726 'J').

Wessex HC.2 (XV726 'J') 'Jennifer' with 72 Squadron. Sold privately and now at Biggin Hill.

Left to right:Wessex HC.2s (XV726 'J', XR506 'V' and XT676 'I').

Left to right: Wessex HC.2s (XV721 'H' and XR498 'X').

Wessex HC.2 (XV721 'H'), delivered to the Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya as '080' in 2003.

Left to right: Wessex HC.2s (XR497 'F', XR506 'V' and XV721 'H').