XM833: Westland Wessex HAS.3

Researched 2026-10-11 from the sources listed below. Airframes move between hangars, workshops and loans: check with South Wales Aviation Museum before travelling to see this one.

Identity

The airframe in brief

Serial / registration	XM833
Type	Westland Wessex HAS.3
Built	Westland, Yeovil (c/n WA.014)
First flew	15 March 1960
Delivered	5 April 1960
Units / operator	700(H), 819, 814, 820 and 737 Squadrons, Royal Navy
Converted	HAS.1 to HAS.3, 1966-68
Struck off charge	3 November 1982
Arrived	May 2019
Status	On display
Where	South Wales Aviation Museum, Barry

History

The story of XM833

XM833, constructor's number WA.014, was one of the first 40 Wessex HAS.1s built by Westland at Yeovil for the Royal Navy. It first flew on 15 March 1960 and was delivered on 5 April 1960. Its first unit was 700(H) Squadron at Culdrose, the intensive flying trials unit for the new type.

On 31 March 1966 it returned to Westland for conversion to HAS.3 standard and re-entered service on 10 January 1968. The HAS.3 was the Navy's improved anti-submarine Wessex, flown from carriers such as HMS Eagle, Victorious and Hermes. As a HAS.3, XM833 served with 819, 814, 820 and 737 Squadrons. On 24 November 1981 it went into store at Wroughton, and it was struck off charge on 3 November 1982.

On 4 February 1983 it joined the Second World War Aircraft Preservation Society at Lasham in Hampshire. That collection was broken up after the death of its founder, Bob Coles. The North East Aircraft Museum at Sunderland bought XM833 and received it on 24 May 2010. It moved to the South Wales Aviation Museum at St Athan in May 2019. It is displayed indoors.

Visiting

Seeing XM833 today

Displayed inside the main hangar.

Museum	Adult entry	Airframes	Headline exhibit
South Wales Aviation MuseumBarry, Vale of Glamorgan	£10	73	The resident Harrier and a growing VC10/Tornado-era collection, most with steps and open canopies. Kids exit wearing thousand-yard grins.

Also known as: WA.014 · Wessex HAS3 XM833