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Thursday, May 1, 2025

Military Aviation » Naval Aviation » UK » Bulwark


HMS Bulwark


24 March 1960 At this time, Bulwark was Britain’s first helicopter carrier. Departure dates unknown, but operating off Malta on 25th April with Whirlwind helicopters.


__ July 1969 Wessex helicopters airlifted equipment from the carrier to Hal-Far on 18th June. Date of entry into Grand Harbour unknown, but departed on the 31st.

Oct – Nov 1970

The following Wessex HU.5s were based at RAF Luqa between 20th Oct and 2 Nov, which presumably, was her sailing date from Malta.

These are not necessarily complete lists of Bulwarks helicopter compliment, but what was noted by spotters at the time.

SERIAL	SQUADRON	NOTES
XS480/C, XS483/F, XS514/M, XT465/B, XT451/J, XT454/L, XT456/N XT763/T

Nov 1970

Bulwark again entered Grand Harbour on the 10th. Sailing date unknown.

TYPE	SERIAL	SQUADRON	NOTES
W. Wessex HU.5	XS490/G, XS493/R, XS514/M, XS516/U*, XT449/H, XT456/N*	845	* Seen at RAF Luqa. ** Noted on carrier’s deck.

Jan 1972

The following helicopters were seen at RAF Luqa between the 18th and 27th.

AIRCRAFT	SERIAL	SQUADRON	NOTES
W. Wasp HAS.1	XV638/O		Helicopter visited RAF Luqa on several occasions.
W. Wessex HU.5	XT454/L, XT460/Y-T/B,	845
W. Wessex HU.5	XT461/X-C/CU, _____/X-G/CU	846

27 March 1975

Bulwark entered Grand Harbour for a three-week visit.

No aircraft details available.

The following three helicopters were noted in May 1975. Unknown is whether the ship itself was in harbour, or sailing by.

AIRCRAFT SERIAL SQUADRON NOTES

XT463/V-S HU.5 848 Landed at Luqa on 20.05.75.

(Aircraft information courtesy of John Visanich, from his Malta Airport Movements Facebook page.)

XT761/V-U HU.5 848 Noted departing Luqa on 20.05.75.

This is now the only airworthy Wessex in the world, making its first post-restoration flight on 15.02.19, flying as G-WSEX/XT761 in the dark grey/dayglo Royal Navy SAR colour scheme. It was restored and is owned by Andrew Whitehouse Historic Helicopters in Somerset.

(Aircraft information courtesy of John Visanich, from his Malta Airport Movements Facebook page.)

XT769/V-W HU.5 848 Noted departing Luqa on 20.05.75.

(Aircraft information courtesy of John Visanich, from his Malta Airport Movements Facebook page.)

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