The Hawker Sea Fury was the British Royal Navy’s last piston-engined fighter. Although developed during World War II, it did not see operational service until after the War. Many consider it the fastest piston-engined aircraft ever built.

The Sea Fury owes much of its design to a navigational error. In June 1942, Luftwaffe pilot Oberleutnant Arnim Faber landed his Focke-Wulf FW 190A 3 at RAF Pembrey, apparently thinking he was at a Luftwaffe coastal airfield. Quickly pouncing on this intact example of the bothersome German fighter, the British used their windfall to good advantage. Specification F.6/42, for a new high-performance fighter, was issued shortly thereafter, and incorporated lessons that the "boffins" learned from their examination of Faber’s aircraft.

At the time, Hawker Aircraft’s chief engineer Sydney Camm and his team were developing a lighter, smaller version of the venerable Tempest. In January 1943, Hawker management decided to revise this design to meet the requirements of Specification F.6/42. The project was then called the Tempest Light Fighter, or Centaurus. Two months later, the Government wrote specification F.2/43 specifically for the Hawker project. In April 1943, Camm realized that, with a few minor changes and an engine upgrade, the F.2/43 project aircraft could also meet Royal Navy Specification N.7/43 for a carrier-based interceptor. So the Royal Navy’s requirements were combined in Specification F.2/43. After Hawker decided to abandon the land-based version of the Tempest Light Fighter to concentrate on the Royal Navy’s requirements, the resulting aircraft was named Sea Fury.

With a Royal Navy contract for 200 Sea Furies soon in hand, Hawker began to bend tin. The first Sea Fury prototype, SR661, flew on February 21, 1945, behind a Bristol Centaurus XII engine with a four-bladed propeller. The second, fully "navalized" prototype, SR666, had a Centaurus XV, a five-bladed prop and folding wings. SR661 took part in naval fighter suitability and deck landing tests beginning in May 1945, and was still in test when Japan surrendered in August. With the end of the War, the Royal Navy cut its Sea Fury order in half.

The first production Sea Fury, a Mk. X, flew on September 7, 1946. After deck trials aboard HMS Victorious, the Royal Navy approved the aircraft for carrier use in the Spring of 1947, and soon equipped five Fleet Air Arm squadrons. The Mk. X was followed by the Mk. XI fighter-bomber, of which Hawker eventually delivered 615 to the Royal Navy. It was the Fleet Air Arm’s principal single-seat fighter until the jet-powered Sea Hawk joined the Fleet in 1953.

Sea Furies served extensively in the Korean War, operating from Royal Navy carriers HMS Glory, HMS Ocean and HMS Theseus, and Australian carrier HMAS Sydney. They usually paired with Fairey Fireflies for ground attack missions. The Sea Fury excelled in this role, often proving superior to the enemy’s modern jets. For example, on August 9, 1952, Royal Navy Lieutenant "Hoagy" Carmichael, flying a Sea Fury of HMS Ocean’s 802 Squadron, shot down a Soviet-built North Korean Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 15, marking the first such kill by a piston-engined fighter, and the only air-to-air kill by a British pilot flying a British aircraft in the Korean War.

Primary function Fighter

Power plant One Bristol Centaurus XVIIC two-row 18cylinder radial engine

Thrust 2,480 HP 1,850 kW

Wingspan 38 ft 4 3/4 in 11.7 m

Length 34 ft 8 in 10.6 m

Height 16 ft 1 in 4.9 m

Weight empty 9,240 lb 4,190 kg max. 12,500 lb 5,670 kg

Speed max. 460 mph 740 km/h

Rate of climb 30,000 ft (9,140 m)/10 min 48 sec

Ceiling 35,800 ft 10,912 m

Range 700 mi 1,127 km

Number built 860

Link to SF’s Sea Fury:

Sea Fury brought to you by Simon, Charles, Wrench and myself.

FAIREY FIREFLY

Designed in 1941, the Firefly was a desperate attempt to upgrade the standard of British Naval fighters, its Rolls Royce Griffon engine - a development of the famous Merlin series - giving it a performance comparable to that of a fighter interceptor.

A total of 1,700 aircraft were built.

The Fairey Firefly AS-5 was a carrier-borne, two-seater (pilot and observer) anti-submarine aircraft. It was also used in the ground attack role and for target towing.

Fireflies first saw action during the latter half of the Second World War, and after the cessation of hostilities, modest numbers were exported to a number of countries including Australia. From September of 1951 until January 1952 Royal Australian Navy Fireflies, flying from the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, flew strike missions against the North Korean army invading South Korea. These missions were extremely demanding and hazardous, yet no Fireflies were lost to enemy action. Fireflies were to remain in service with the RAN until 1966, being converted for anti-submarine duties and finally, target towing duties.

In all Australia purchased 108 Fireflys (Marks 4, 5 and 6) which served with the Fleet Air Arm's 723, 724, 725, 816, 817 and 851 Squadrons.

TECHNICAL DATA

Fairey Firefly AS-5 specifications:
Type: carrier-borne fighter, anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer: Fairey Aviation (UK)
Delivered: 108 aircraft, 1949-53
Engine: one 2,250hp Rolls Royce Griffon 74, 12 cylinder piston engine
Armament: 4 x 20mm Hispano cannon, 2 x 1000lb bombs, 8 x 60lb rockets
Range: 582 miles (standard fuel), 1,070 miles with two 90 gallon drop tanks
Withdrawn: 1968

Link to SF Firefly:

http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?download=2596

SF Firefly brought to you by Simon, capuin, Charles, Kesselbrut and myself.

On October 26, 1965, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) announced that it would procure 10 Skyhawks (8 single-seaters and two 2-seaters) for service aboard the HMAS Melbourne, in response to a perceived threat from Indonesia. They were designated A-4G and TA-4G respectively. The first A-4G took off on its maiden flight on July 19, 1967.

The A-4G was based on the A-4F, but was optimized for the air defense role. It could mount Sidewinder air-to-air missiles under the four wing-mounted pylons. The A-4G did retain a limited ground attack capability, but could not carry or deliver nuclear weapons. The pilot was provided with an Escapac 1C-3 zero-zero rocket ejector seat. Wing lift spoilers were installed above the flaps in the upper wing trailing edge, which were designed to improve crosswind landing performance. Nosewheel steering was provided to allow for better control during crosswind taxiing and during ramp or carrier deck maneuvering. The A-4G was powered by a Pratt & Whitney J52-P-8A engine, rated at 9300 lb.s.t. The aircraft could be equipped with an inflight refueling external buddy tank.

The two-seat Australian Skyhawk was designated TA-4G. The first TA-4G took off on its maiden flight on July 21, 1967. It retained all of the weapons capabilities of the single-seat A-4G. The two crew members were provided with Escapac 1C-3 zero-zero rocket ejector seats. The TA-4G was also powered by the Pratt & Whitney J52-P-8A engine, rated at 9300 lb.st. The aircraft could be equipped with an inflight refueling external buddy tank.

The eight A-4Gs were allocated Bureau Numbers of 154903/154910 during construction, and retained these numbers during RAN service but had the added prefix of N13--e.g. 154903 became N13-154903. The two TA-4Gs were N13-154911 and N13-154912. The first A-4G was officially turned over to the RAN in a ceremony at the Douglas Long Beach plant on July 26, 1967. The balance of the order was delivered to NAS North Island, California to be stored awaiting the arrival of the Melbourne for transportation back to Australia. While they waited for the delivery of the rest of their planes, RAN pilots trained at NAS Leemore in California on US Navy Skyhawks in order to provide crews with experience on the Skyhawk and to provide a cadre of instructors.

The Australian Skyhawks were assigned to two different squadrons. Number 805 Squadron (later VF-805) was the primary combat squadron, permanently based at Nowra but deployed on the deck of the Melbourne during operational cruises. Number 724 Squadron was the operational flying training school squadron for the A-4, and was shore-based at Nowra.

Because of the different center of gravity of the TA-4G, the two-seaters could not safely operate from the short deck of the Melbourne. They were assigned to the shore-based unit Number 724 Squadron at Nowra.

In 1970, an additional eight A-4Gs were obtained from US Navy A-4F fleet stocks, reconfigured, and delivered to the RAN. In 1971, an additional two TA-4Gs were obtained from US Navy TA-4F fleet stocks, reconfigured, and delivered to the RAN. They were N13-154647 and N13-154648. The two A-4Gs were allocated Bureau Numbers of 154911/154912 during construction, and retained these numbers during RAN service but had the added prefix of N13--e.g. 154911 became N13-154911.

Attrition of Skyhawks was heavy in RAN service, and no less than eleven were lost in accidents. In 1982, it was decided that the HMAS Melbourne would be taken out of service. When the Melbourne's operations were ended, VF-805's surviving aircraft were transferred to VC-724, which used them primarily for target towing.

Since the RAN Skyhawks no longer had a mission, surviving A-4Gs were sold to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1984, where they were reconfigured and redesignated as A-4Ks. There were seven such planes, and they were assigned RNZAF serials of NZ6212 through NZ6218. The two surviving TA-4Gs were also sold to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1984, where they were reconfigured and redesignated as TA-4Ks. They were assigned RNZAF serials of NZ6255 and NZ6256.

Type Carrier-borne light attack fighter-bomber

Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas

Ordered 1966

Number Purchased 20

First Delivered 22nd November 1967

Last Delivered 8th July 1971

Crew One

Weight Loaded-24500lbs

Wing Span-27ft 6in
Length-44ft
Height-15ft

Engine One Pratt & Whitney J52-P8A

Ceiling-40000ft
Speed-657kts
Range-2000 miles (Ferry)

Guns-2x20mm Cannon (100 rounds per gun)
Bombs-Missiles and Rockets

Numbers Lost Crashes-10

Link to SF A-4G:

Thanks to Russki Bear and Nosecone for the A-4G!

What good are carrier aircraft without an aircraft carrier to land on?

HMAS MELBOURNE was one of six 'Majestic' class aircraft carriers which were laid down in 1943, and was in fact laid as HMS Majestic for the Royal Navy. Construction of the Majestic class was suspended in May 1946. In 1947, the Australian government having decided to acquire two aircraft carriers, two of the class, HMS Majestic and HMS Terrible (later HMAS Sydney) were transferred to the Royal Australian Navy.

Work resumed on Majestic in 1949 and on 28th October, 1955 she was renamed Melbourne and commissioned in the RAN.

Melbourne sailed from Glasgow for Australia on 11th March, 1956, reaching Sydney within two months, and bringing with her 808, 816 and 817 Squadrons (the first with Sea Venoms and the remaining two with Fairey Gannets). She also carried Bristol Sycamore helicopters. In 1958, 817 Squadron disbanded, and that October, 805 Squadron (Sea Venoms) was embarked. 808 Squadron was subsequently disbanded.

805 Squadron was disbanded, to be replaced by the re-formed 817 Squadron in 1963, with Westland Wessex helicopters. 816 was equipped with Sea Venoms in 1964, in addition to its Fairey Gannets.

On 10 February 1964 Melbourne was involved in the tragic collision with the 'Daring' class destroyer, HMAS Voyager off Nowra, New South Wales. 82 lives were lost as Voyager sank, out of a crew complement of 317. Among those lost were Voyager's commander, Capt. Duncan Stevens.

From 1959 through to the late 1960s, Melbourne served in the Far East Strategic Reserve. She took part in exercises and escorted HMS Sydney (then used to ferry troops and vehicles) to Vietnam.

In 1967, 816 and 817 Squadrons were disembarked and 816 was disbanded. That September Melbourne sailed to the United States, taking on board new Douglas Skyhawk and Grumman Tracker aircraft for the reformed 805 and 816 Sqns. respectively, before returning to Australia for a major refit which kept her in dock for most of 1968.

Melbourne left for the Far East in May 1969 equipped with Skyhawks of 805 Sqn., Trackers of 816 Sqn., and Wessexes of 817 Sqn.

Within the month, Melbourne was involved in another disaster. Early on the 3rd of June, in the course of an exercise in the South China Sea, Melbourne and the USS Frank E. Evans collided, with the loss of 74 crew of the smaller ship.

Unarguably tragic as the event was, the crew of Melbourne were nonetheless officially recognised for their subsequent rescue actions by the US government.

Melbourne continued to exercise in Far Eastern waters, until a major refit which lasted for most of 1971. She then took on board 805, 816 and 817 Squadrons in September, and participated in joint exercises near Hawaii in November. She took part in a series of exercises over the next few years, underwent a further refit in 1973, and visited California in 1974.

When Darwin, Northern Territory, was devastated by Cyclone Tracey on Christmas Day 1974, Melbourne sailed from Sydney the next day to assist with a large cargo of urgently needed supplies.

When Australia took delivery of the Westland Sea King helicopter in 1975, they were allocated to 817 Sqn. aboard Melbourne, as well as being assigned to land base at Nowra.

After another refit in 1975-76, 805, 816 and 817 Squadrons reembarked, and Melbourne was involved in further exercises. Exercise "KANGAROO II", in October 1976 saw Melbourne operating with USS Enterprise.

Early in 1977 Melbourne collected 16 Grumman Trackers from the US, to replace ten of the aircraft lost in a hangar fire at Nowra the previous December. In May 1977, she sailed with the guided missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane, bound for England to take part in the celebration of the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

She remained in Australian waters, with two more periods in dock, one including a substantial refit.

Melbourne continued to take part in exercises and occasional rescue tasks until 1981, when she put in to Sydney for maintenance. During this period it was decided to decommission her, and this occurred on 30th June, 1982. By then she had spent 62,036 hours underway and steamed 868,893 nautical miles.

She lay at moorings in Sydney Harbour, awaiting disposal, and after sale to a private Australian company in June 1984 fell through, she was finally sold in February 1985, to China United Shipbuilding Company for $1.4 million. She was finally broken up in Dalian, China.

HMAS Melbourne could claim to have been the longest serving flagship and the most powerful warship in Australia's post World War Two fleet.

TECHNICAL DATA

Type: Light Fleet Aircraft Carrier

Displacement: 15,740 tons (standard)

Length: 701 feet 5 inches (overall)

Beam (hull): 80 feet 2 inches

Beam (flight deck): 105 feet 0 inches feet 2 inches

Width: 112 feet 6 inches (overall)

Draught: 25 feet 5 inches

Flight Deck : 690 feet 8 inches

Propulsion: Parsons single reduction geared turbines, 2 shafts, SHP 42,000

Max. speed: 24.5 knots / 45.4 km/h

Endurance: 12,000 n.m. (22,200 km) at 14 kts. (26 km/h)

Laid Down: 15 April, 1943

Launched: 28 February, 1945

Armament: 25x40 mm Bofors AA

Crew: 1,210

Aircraft accommodation: 22-27 - Sea Venom & Gannet (1956), Wessex (1963), Skyhawk & Tracker (1967), Sea King (1975)

Builders: Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., Barrow-in-Furness, England

Commissioned: 28 October, 1955

Decommissioned: 30th June, 1982

Link to SF’s HMAS Melbourne:

Excellent carrier by Hinchinbrooke (the Albion) repainted by me as the Majestic class HMAS Melbourne as she appeared in 1980.

Hinch is quickly becoming SF's Carrier King, and one of his projects is the HMS Victorious, after her post war angled deck modernisation. Hinch as a personal favor to me has kindly grafted the angled deck of the modernised Victorious onto the hull of the Albion, to create the HMAS Melbourne! And as a favor to the Community he has allowed me to share it with all of you.

Please be aware that this is not a 100% accurate model of the Melbourne, but a lash-up using what was available. Nevertheless, excellent work Hinch, and much obliged!

The Melbourne is fully operational, thanks to the wonders of Service Pack 3.

The Majestic class have only one catapult IRL, but this model has two as SF likes pairs!

HMAS Melbourne needs some escorts, and here they are in the form of the Daring Class destroyers HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Vampire.

Advances in destroyer design in the United Kingdom during the mid to late 1940s resulted in the design of the Daring Class, originally described as light cruisers. The Australian built ‘Daring’ Class destroyers were similar to the Royal Navy vessels, but with modifications for Australian conditions.

The ‘Darings’ were designed and built as versatile, multi-purpose ‘Gun Ships’ with three separate weapon control systems to control the main and secondary armament. In the Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) mode for example, the main Gunnery Fire Control System was capable of providing very accurate and rapid fire to a range of nine nautical miles (18000 yards) in normal mode and in excess of ten nautical miles (20000 yards) in extended range mode. At a rate of fire of 16 rounds per gun per minute, the Darings were capable of firing up to 100 x 4.5 inch shells per minute, with each standard high explosive shell weighing 56 lbs.

Four Darings were initially ordered for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), although only three, VOYAGER, VENDETTA and VAMPIRE were eventually completed. They were the first prefabricated all-welded ships to be built in Australia, and, between ordering and completion, the cost of each Daring increased from £2.6 million to £7 million!

HMAS VENDETTA, the second of the Australian Darings, commissioned at Melbourne on 26 November 1958 under the command of Captain Ronald J. Robertson, DSC, RAN. After trials and workup the ship visited New Zealand in April 1959; New Guinea in June 1959 and Noumea in July 1959.

On 20 October 1959, the RAN’s three Daring Class destroyers operated together for the first time, when VENDETTA, VAMPIRE and VOYAGER conducted a series of exercises and maneouvres in Jervis Bay area, the trio now forming the 9^th Destroyer Squadron.

In early 1969, VENDETTA underwent pre-refit trials and commenced a six month refit at Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney, during which both propeller shafts were removed. In July, VENDETTA’s post-refit trials were disrupted by a small fire in cables in the Wardroom, and damage to the ship’s generators. Trials and workup continued in August, and by early September, VENDETTA was ready for attachment to the United States Navy’s Seventh Fleet in Vietnam waters.

On 15 September 1969, the ship departed Sydney and received a detailed handover from the guided missile destroyer (DDG), HMAS BRISBANE, in Subic Bay on 26 September. This was the occasion for CAPT Willis, BRISBANE’s commanding officer to pass ‘the Weight’ to VENDETTA’S commanding officer, CMDR Johnston, symbolizing the official handover of gunline duties. ‘The Weight’ was fashioned from a pair of highly polished shell bases separated by burnished metal rod. Around its base were inscribed the names of the RAN destroyers in the order of their deployment.

VENDETTA was the first and only RAN Daring Class destroyer to go to war. She also made Australian naval history by becoming the first all-Australian ship to serve in a combat zone.

During the ensuing seven months, VENDETTA performed credibly in a role for which she had been specifically designed – naval gunfire support. She proved herself to be a more than adequate replacement for a DDG on the ‘gunline.’ During her five tours totaling 93 days, VENDETTA fired 13295 4.5 inch shells, plus over 400 rounds of 40mm, steaming 21000 nautical miles in the process.

VENDETTA, now under the command of CMDR Mike Freeman, entered Port Jackson for the last time on 28 June 1979. Flying a 366 foot paying off pennant, she undertook a nostalgic tour of Sydney Harbour before berthing at Garden Island. The following three months were occupied with the removal of equipment and destoring prior to paying off. On 9 October 1979, just 6 years after her ‘half life’ refit, HMAS VENDETTA was decommissioned. In her 21 year career, she had steamed 670952 nautical miles. She subsequently served as a source of spare parts for VAMPIRE, the last Australian Daring Class Destroyer.

Following her decommissioning, VENDETTA languished in the ‘mothball’ fleet at Sydney until 1986, when she was sold to Ming Hsieh Steel Mill on behalf of Hodland Enterprises of Taiwan. The ship departed under tow in late 1986, bound for the breaker’s yard in Taiwan.

HMAS VAMPIRE commissioned at Sydney on 23 June 1959 under the command of Captain Eric J. Peel DSC RAN.

From October 1959 to March 1960, VAMPIRE exercised with Australian and New Zealand naval units off the east coast of Australia and in the Tasman Sea . After visiting New Zealand she returned to Sydney in March 1960 and in June proceeded to Singapore for service in the Strategic Reserve.

In January 1967 VAMPIRE, in company with HMAS DUCHESS, sailed for a lengthy Far East deployment. Both ships arrived in Singapore on 19 January. During local area exercises in February, VAMPIRE gave assistance to the SS MAHA THEVI which had run aground on Palau Pemanggil. The SEATO Exercise SIYASAT and visits to Manila and Bangkok occupied the month of March, prior to VAMPIRE proceeding to Manus Island to escort HMAS SYDNEY to Vietnam . This was the first of two trips to Vietnam during April, the second being from Singapore to Vung Tau with HMAS SYDNEY later in the month. The remainder of the deployment included participation in the SEATO Exercise SEA DOG in July, followed by visits in August to Chinhae and Inchon in South Korea . The Indonesion ports of Jakarta and Surabaya were visited in September on the voyage home to Sydney , where VAMPIRE arrived on 19 September.

This was a prelude to her paying off on 29 June 1970 to undergo an extended refit. This half-life modernisation, which took until November 1971, saw VAMPIRE receive new gun turrets and fire control systems, new aircraft warning and navigation radar, plus replacement of a major portion of her superstructure.

VAMPIRE recommissioned on 17 November 1971 under the command of Captain G.J.H. Woolrych RAN at Dockyard Pier, Williamstown, and conducted work-up trials before arrival back in Sydney in March 1972. A trip to New Zealand was undertaken in August before her first Far East deployment in her new guise from October 1972 until March 1973, during which she participated in the SEATO Exercise SEA SCORPION. In April 1973 VAMPIRE visited Suva and Apia and hosted the Australian Prime Minister during the South Pacific Forum. In September VAMPIRE participated in Exercise LONGEX 73 and visited New Zealand .

The Royal Australian Navy's 75th Anniversary was a fitting year to mark the end of VAMPIRE's career. In April 1986 a decision was made to decommission her, and after a final cruise to Cairns , Townsville, Suva , Apia and Auckland , VAMPIRE made a ceremonial entry in to Sydney on 24 June 1986. The following weeks were spent preparing the ship for decommissioning. The last of the Australian Daring Class destroyers paid off on 13 August 1986 after a 27 year career during which she steamed 808,026 nautical miles.

On decommissioning VAMPIRE was gifted to the Australian National Maritime Museum where she continues to be a popular tourist attraction for overseas visitors and former members of her ship's company.

Data Type: Daring Class Destroyer

Displacement: 2,800 tons (standard), 2,600 tons (full load)

Length: 390 feet Beam: 43 feet Draught: 12 feet 9 inches

Builder: Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney

Laid Down: 1 July 1952 Launched: 27 October 1956, by Lady Slim, wife of the Governor-General

Machinery: English Electric geared turbines, twin screws

Horsepower: 54,000

Speed: 34 ¾ knots (designed)

Armament:6 x 4.5-inch guns (twin turrets)
6 (later 2) x 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns
5 x 21-inch torpedo tubes, pentad mount (later removed)
Limbo triple barrelled anti-submarine mortar

Complement: 320

Link to SF’s Daring Class DD’s:

Destroyers HMAS Vendetta and Vampire are new models by Hinchinbrooke (thanks again mate!), with greatly appreciated help from Capun (cheers CP!), and with wholly original skins by me. Data files again by Hinch, Capun and me.

The model is not an accurate representation of the Daring Class DD. It was made as a generic British DD to represent various classes. Tis excellent work though!

Thanks muchly guys!

AUSSIE CARRIER CAMPAIGN FOR WINGS OVER VIETNAM

The best way to enjoy Wings Over Vietnam and Strike fighters, IMHO, is via a carrier campaign. The only available carrier campaigns are for US Navy carriers - until now!

This mod will allow you to fly the stock WoV Linebacker II Campaign off the deck of the Royal Australian Navy aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. The Melbourne deployed to Vietnam three times over the course of the war, but did not take part in offensive air operations - you now have the opportunity to change that.

Enclosed are all the files you need to fly the Campaign.

NOTE: This has not been tested with the latest version of WoV.

Link to WoV Aussie Carrier Campaign:

http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?download=2595

Thanks to Hinchinbrooke and capun for objects and data for this mod.

Cheers Guys!

N-7 WESTLAND WESSEX

The Westland Wessex well illustrates the ongoing development and technology transfer processes that occur within the aerospace industry. The British-built Wessex began life as an American design known as the Sikorsky S-58. First flown in 1954, the S-58 was powered by a conventional air-cooled piston engine mounted in its nose, one of several design features borrowed from its predecessor, the S-55.

Westland Helicopters of Britain, which had earlier produced a license-built version of the American S-55 (known as the Whirlwind), also began building a turbine-powered version of the S-58 which it named the Wessex. Although they looked more or less identical the turbine technology gave the British machine a significant performance advantage. The research and development costs associated with designing new aircraft are so prohibitive that it's often preferable just to retain the original airframe and progressively update the engines and internal avionics. The engineering challenge of accommodating new tasks and technologies eventually becomes so demanding that even the soundest of airframes must finally be abandoned, replaced by a new design straight off the drawing board. The Wessex was eventually replaced in RAN service by the twin-engine Sea King, a much larger aircraft, which operates from HMAS Albatross with 817 Squadron.

The Wessex was Australia's first anti-submarine helicopter and served also as a troop transport and utility helicopter. It could remain in the hover mode for extended periods, using its suspended sonar to 'listen' for submarines. The Wessex served here with both HS 817 and HT 725 Squadrons, while some civilian-registered examples were also used to supply to North-West Shelf oilrigs.

TECHNICAL DATA

TYPE:                        Carrier-borne anti-submarine/search & rescue helicopter

Manufacturer:             Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil, Somerset, UK

Ordered:                     July 1961

Number Purchased:    27

First Delivered:            1 Nov 1962

Last delivered:            4 Nov 1963

Crew:                         Four

Weight (lbs)                 Empty: 8,000 Loaded: 13,500

Dimensions:                   Wing Span: 56 ft (rotors)
                                    Length 65 ft 10.5 in (38 ft 6 in with blades and tailcone folded
                                    Height: 14 ft 10 in

Engine:                         One 1,575 shp Napier Gazelle 161 free turbine engine

Performance:                  Initial Rate of Climb: 1,540 ft/min
                                    Ceiling: 14,100 ft
                                    Speed: 108 knots
                                    Range: 262 nautical miles

Armament:                     Guns: Nil
                                    Bombs: 2 x torpedoes (external)

Ships Embarked in:       HMA Ships Melbourne (II), Sydney (III), Stalwart (II), Tobruk (II).

Link to SF RAN Wessex:

http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?automodule=downloads&showfile=3045#

N-12 GRUMMAN S-2 TRACKER

Unlike the Fairey Gannet which it replaced in RAN (Royal Australian Navy) service, the Grumman Tracker was a somewhat more conventional aircraft capable of both detecting and attacking enemy submarines. As an all-weather carrier borne aircraft, the Tracker could also operate well beyond the range of the RAAF's land-based Neptune and Orion maritime patrol aircraft.

Trackers could also work in conjunction with Naval helicopters like the Wessex that were equipped with dipping sonars, capable of detecting submarines.

The Tracker's Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) fit included sonobuoy ejector tubes, with sixteen built into the rear of each engine nacelle and firing straight out the back; a 70 million candlepower searchlight mounted on the right wing; an APS-38 search radar in a retractable ventral "dustbin" radome, behind the weapons bay; and a retractable ASQ-10 magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) boom in the tail. Its long wings and powerful engines allowed it to operate from small carriers and short airfields. The wings were folded hydraulically and a small tail wheel was fitted at the rear to act as a bumper on carrier landings. Flaps, slots and spoilers further enhanced this short take-off capability while the large rudder allowed it to fly on one engine.

The Tracker carried a crew of four with the pilot on the left, co-pilot / navigator on the right, and two systems operators in the rear. Fourteen S2-E Trackers were delivered to the RAN in 1967. These were allocated to VS 816 Squadron based on HMAS Melbourne and to the training squadron VC 851 based here at HMAS Albatross. A further sixteen S2-Gs were purchased in 1977.

Land based Trackers, operating from Broome (W.A.) and Darwin (N.T) were also used for coastal surveillance in the 1980s to help detect illegal immigrants and smuggling operations.

TECHNICAL DATA

Crew: four (two pilots, two detection systems operators)

Length: 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)

Height: 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m)

Wing area: 485 ft² (45.06 m²)

Empty weight: 18,315 lb (8,310 kg)

Loaded weight: 23,435 lb (10,630 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 26,147 lb (11,860 kg)

Powerplant: 2× Wright R-1820-82WA radial engines, 1,525 hp (kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 280 mph (450 km/h) at sea level

Cruise speed: 150 mph (240 km/h)

Range: 1,350 mi (2,170 km) or 9 hours endurance

Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6,700 m)

Armament

2× homing torpedoes (Mk.41, Mk.43, or Mk.34), depth charges (Mk.54), or mines in the bomb bay

6× underwing hardpoints for torpedoes, depth charges, or rockets

Ships Embarked in:       HMA Ship Melbourne (II)

Link to SF RAN Tracker:

http://cplengineeringllc.com/SFP1/Skunworks.html#S2F

Note: You need to register to download.