The wonderful sight of Whirlwind HAR10 XJ729 and Wasp HAS1 ‘92’ airborne over Somerset on 19 May.
LEE HOWARD
On 19 May, visitors to the second Historic Helicopters Open Day at Higher Purtington Showground in Somerset saw a unique formation as the world’s sole surviving airworthy Westland Whirlwind HAR10, XJ729/G-BVGE, and former South African Air Force Westland Wasp HAS1 92/G-BYCX flew together.
Located outside Crewkerne, Higher Purtington is home to the Navy Wessex Restoration Project, manned by a team of dedicated engineers under the leadership of Whirlwind owner/pilot Andrew Whitehouse. They are working towards the ambitious goal of restoring another Westland product, Wessex HU5 XT761/G-WSEX, to flying condition. Both XT761 and a second example, XT771, were purchased by Whitehouse in 2017 following disposal by the MoD.
