Westland Dragonfly In Ran Service

[Joe Barr]

Noting the mention in the RAAF section discussion of Seagull and Walrus aircraft of the USN loan of S-51 aircraft to HMAS SYDNEY in the Korean war, I checked the ADF Serials RAN Section and see that one type seems to have been missed. Westland Dragonfly helicopters were loaned from the RN to HMAS Sydney on a number of occasions. The ones I have traced are:'

VZ965 (HR.1 ) From ARS Iwakuni to Ship's Flight HMAS SYDNEY 29 Oct 1951. Length of service not known but recorded as issued from ARS Iwakuni to Ship's Flight HMS GLORY 16 Apr 1952

WG707 (HR.3) From HMS OCEAN to HMAS SYDNEY 6 Nov 1953. To AHU Sembawang 18 May 1954.

WG753 (HR.3) Reported as attached HMAS SYDNEY circa 6 Nov 1953 (previous recorded allocation was HMS OCEAN 10 April to July 1954). Ditched Sydney harbour 5 Jan 54.

WP498 (HR.3) HMAS SYDNEY 18 Jan 1954 (after arriving in Japan on cruiser HMS BIRMINGHAM) next reported to AHU Sembawang 19 May 54.

There may be more details elsewhere but probably warrants a page in ADF Serials. I can provide a couple of photos of WP498 with 'K' ship letter but no code.

Joe

[Martin Edwards]

Thanks Joe, that would be great. We have a mention on the use of loaned Dragonflies by the RAN at http://www.adf-serials.com/2a80.htm but more details will be most welcome.

[Dave Masterson]

Joe.. there was a Dragonfly in one of the hangers at the FAA Museum at Nowra several years ago. All silver, but I didn't note a serial number on it. It may still be there. It was not on display but in the hangar nearby with several other airframe bits and pieces.

[Martin Edwards]

Dave that would be this one
http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/Dragonfly-WG725

[Dave Masterson]

Ah yes that would be it. Strange...I don't remember any markings on it but it was a while ago. B)

[Joe Barr]

Photos of WP498 added to the adf gallery.

History of WG725 as researched by Ray Sturtivant et al in their book "Fleet Air Arm Helicopters Since 1943" :

First flight 28.10.52. Delivered AHU Gosport 25.11.52. A&AEE Boscombe Down 12.1.52 for navigation trials; Detached to Netherlands 5.2.53 to 9.2.53 for Dutch flood relief operations; detached White Waltham 12.6.53; A&AEE Boscombe Down 13.7.53; detached White Waltham 15.7.53; Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil 23.11.54 for mods; to permanent Controller Supplies (Air) charge 14.2.55; RAE Bedford 16.7.56 to investigate deck landing techniques and for blade motion studies; Boscombe Down to HMS CENTAUR 8.1.59; RAE Bedford 21.1.59. Withdrawn from use by 10.6.60. To 8 School of Technical Training, RAF Weeton 7.11.60 as GI 7703M; RAF St Athan by 9.65 to 9.67; static display at RAF 50th anniversary, Abingdon 6.68; RAF Colerne by road by 1969; static display RAF Odiham by road 4.12.75; Museum of Army Flying, Middle Wallop, by road 27.4.78; exchanged for Auster aircraft and to Southen by road 26.10.81 the prepared for Venezuelan AF celebrations marked as "0020" and registered N9987Q; deal fell through and stored Southend; Cornwall Aero Park, Helston by road 21.9.86 (restored as "WG754" '912/CU'); Aircraft Maintenance Group, RNAS Culdrose by road 3.2.2000 for dismantling; shipped to RAN Museum, Nowra 16.2.2000.

Presumably it is still in store in Nowra.

Hence no actual RN service but an interesting history - no wonder I never saw it in service at Culdrose or among the derelicts at Blackbushe in later years.

Joe

[Martin Edwards]

Thanks Joe.
Updated the Dragonfly page with your information and photos.

[SpazSinbad]

From: AVIATION ARCHIVE Military Helicopters of the 20th century PDF

One of 2 pages about the DRAGONFLY (second page to follow due file size).

Attached File ( Number of downloads: 588 )
 DragonFly___H_5s_Aviation_Archive_47_Military_Helicopters_20th_Century_1.pdf

[SpazSinbad]

2nd DRAGONFLY PDF page (some USMC/Canadian variant photos deleted due file size).

Attached File ( Number of downloads: 584 )
 DragonFly___H_5s_Aviation_Archive_47_Military_Helicopters_20th_Century_2_ed.pdf