Flight in a westland wasp

Take to the skies in a Westland Wasp HAS Mk 1 XT435 (G-RIMM) : owned and operated by John Heath - restored and maintained by North Weald Heritage Aviation.

The Wasp HAS Mk1 was introduced to service in 1964. It served in its primary role with 829 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), but also in training units to supply crews for the front line with 706 NAS between 1965 and 1967 and in 703 NAS between 1972 and 1981. In all 98 wasps were built of which 96 were production models. Ship flights numbered 15 on Leander class Frigates, four on Tribal class frigates and three on Rothesay class frigates.

Its original role was to act as a weapon carrier to launch torpedoes and depth charges on submarine contacts out of range of the parent ships weapon range. Soon it also took on a second primary role of air to surface attack using AS12 wire guided missiles. The flexibility of the aircraft was such that it was able to conduct a plethora of secondary roles from visual search to collecting the all-important ship’s mail.

Westland Wasp XT435 entered service with the Royal Navy in 1965 and operated at various Naval air stations including Culdrose, Boscombe Down and Portland. She was assigned to HMS Arethusa but never deployed. She then entered service with the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1983 before passing into private ownership.

- The flight experience will last 30 minutes and the winner can choose where they would like to go in the areas departing from either Blackbushe Airport or North Weald. 
- The max weight is 200 pounds, flight is for a maximum of two passengers
- The flight will be on a day mutually agreed by all and before the end of November 2024

Please note that this flight will be operated as a 'charity flight' and is subject to the following guidance CAP1330: Charity Flight Guidance (caa.co.uk)

A big thank you to John Heath for donating this incredible experience to the Aviators Ball and supporting disabled aviation.