Westland Helicopters: Illustrated History Books & Guides

Lynx : The Final Years in French Service

Introduced in 1978, the Westland Lynx significantly improved upon the helicopters previously used by the French Navy for anti-submarine warfare. It quickly gained popularity and evolved into a versatile multirole platform, performing a wide range of missions.
After more than 40 years in service, the Lynx was retired from "Aéronautique Navale" operations in August 2020.
Featuring over 200 color images, this book documents the Lynx's final year in French service and its lasting impact.

Product details

Author:	Henri-Pierre Grolleau
Details:	96 pages, 9.7 x 6.7 x 0.31 in (24.5 x 17 x 0.8 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	200+ color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Key Publishing Ltd (GB, 2022)
Series:	Modern Military Aircraft
ISBN:	9781913870126

Aerospatiale / Westland Gazelle

The Aerospatiale / Westland Gazelle is one of the longest serving and most successful reconnaissance and light attack helicopters. The Gazelle soon made an impression with its high speed, smooth looks and design innovations such as the Fenestron ducted tail rotor and composite main rotor blades.

Once Westland had joined the French helicopter project, the Gazelle was soon adopted as a trainer by the RAF, as a battlefield reconnaissance and attack helicopter by the Army Air Corps and Royal Marines and as a training helicopter by the Royal Navy. It carried out similar roles in the French armed forces and those of other nations.
As this book shows, armed variants of the Gazelle have taken part in conflicts in the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Lebanon, the Gulf War, former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Mali and Syria.
It has also been adapted for civilian roles. As a testament to its success, Gazelle helicopters will continue in service with the British and French armed forces beyond 2020.

In this readable book, aviation expert David Oliver tells the full story of the development of the Gazelle as well as its various air force, military and naval roles and deployments.
Illustrated with lavish colour photographs, this book is an essential guide to one of the world's most successful military and civilian helicopters.

Product details

Author:	David Oliver
Details:	96 pages, 9.25 x 6.5 x 0.71 in (23.5 x 16.5 x 1.8 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	220 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing (GB, 2019)
ISBN:	9781445688688

Westland Wessex Manual (1958 onwards) - An insight into the design, construction, operation and maintenance (Haynes Aircraft Manual)

With an active service life of more than 40 years with the Royal Navy and the RAF, the Westland Wessex was one of the most versatile helicopters of the Cold War.
Its duties included Commando and Special Forces insertions during the Falklands War, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, as well as battlefield troop transport and supplies carrier.

Pages of the book "Westland Wessex Manual (1958 onwards) - An insight into the design, construction, operation and maintenance"

Lee Howard had full access to several restored Wessex airframes to complete a full Haynes Manual treatment of this once ubiquitous and versatile helicopter, including insights into its operation and maintenance from former Wessex air and groundcrews.

More information about Haynes Aircraft Manuals

Product details

Author:	Lee Howard
Details:	192 pages, 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.71 in (27.5 x 21.5 x 1.8 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	many b&w and color photos
Language:	English (technical dictionaries in 19 languages are available for free download here)
Publisher:	Haynes Publishing (GB, 2018)
Series:	Haynes Aircraft Manual
ISBN:	9781785211171

The Merlin EH (AW) 101 - From Design to Front Line

Designed by the European Helicopter Industries (EHI) partnership during the 1980s, initially as a naval helicopter to help combat the threat of an attack from Soviet missile submarines, the Merlin has evolved into a multi-role helicopter today.

The AW101 combines the most advanced technologies, safety by design, mission systems and leading-edge manufacturing to provide a proven platform for long-range Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in certain countries.
With a typical range of 750 nm (over 1,300 km) in standard configuration, the AW101 is the most capable SAR helicopter in the world today.

Other roles include transportation for Heads of State and VVIP operators; Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR); Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO); Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW); Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC); Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM); troop transport; utility support, CASEVAC/MEDEVAC; and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR).

Lavishly illustrated throughout, Rich Pittman offers a fascinating portrait of an enduring and popular aircraft and traces its journey from design to the front line.

Product details

Author:	Rich Pittman
Details:	96 pages, 9.25 x 6.5 in (23.5 x 16.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	140 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing (GB, 2017)
ISBN:	9781445674360

The Royal Navy Lynx : An Operational History

This book tells the story of an incredibly capable naval aircraft, based primarily on the words of those who flew and maintained it. Beginning with the Lynx's entry into service in 1976, it goes on to discuss its remarkable performance in the Falklands War.
Here it was used in both its primary roles of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, as well as several others for which it had never been designed, such as Airborne Early Warning and anti-Exocet missile counter measures.

The Lynx has been continuously employed in the Gulf from 1980 until the present day. What is not generally known is the fact that these aircraft were responsible for effectively destroying the Iraqi navy, sinking over fifteen warships in a matter of a weeks. All related operational details are included here.

Also included are accounts of operations conducted around the world, including anti-drug interdiction, Arctic deployments, Search and Rescue, hurricane relief, as well as a few notable mishaps. Also described is the development of the aircraft from the Mark 2 to the current Mark 8 (SRU), bringing the narrative fully up to date.
Although only a snapshot, the stories narrated here offer the reader a real understanding of the capabilities of an aircraft with a truly remarkable history of service.

Product details

Author:	Larry Jeram-Croft
Details:	289 pages, 10 x 7.3 x 0.94 in (25.5 x 18.5 x 2.4 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Ltd (GB, 2017)
ISBN:	9781473862517

Westland Lynx Manual (1976 to pesent) - An insight into the design, construction, operation and maintenance (Haynes Aircraft Manual)

The Westland Lynx is the Royal Navy's agile, versatile, multi-role combat ship-borne helicopter that has been in service around the world for over 40 years, from Antarctica to the Gulf and Caribbean.
During that time it has fought in wars, provided humanitarian assistance and has been used for geological survey work.

Pages of the book "Westland Lynx Manual (1976 to pesent) - An insight into the design, construction, operation and maintenance"

Aviation engineer and author Lee Howard was on the MOD's Lynx Project Team for many years and as such he has a unique insider-knowledge of how the Lynx works and what it has done in its long service life with the Royal Navy.

More information about Haynes Aircraft Manuals

Product details

Author:	Lee Howard
Details:	160 pages, 11 x 8.5 x 0.51 in (28 x 21.5 x 1.3 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	many color photos
Language:	English (technical dictionaries in 19 languages are available for free download here)
Publisher:	Haynes Publishing (GB, 2016)
Series:	Haynes Aircraft Manual
ISBN:	9780857338143

Westland Sea King Manual - HU Mk. 5 SAR model (1988 onwards) - An insight into the design, construction, operation and maintainance (Haynes Aircraft Manual)

For more than 25 years the Westland Sea King has been a reassuring sight around the English coast, providing essential Search and Rescue (SAR) capabilities for those in peril both on land and at sea. The Royal Navy variant - the Sea King HU Mk.5, which is the main focus of this book - is estimated to have saved literally hundreds of lives.

Pages of the book "Westland Sea King Manual - HU Mk. 5 SAR model (1988 onwards) - An insight into the design, construction, operation and maintainance"

Author and photographer Lee Howard has been given privileged official access to the Navy's SAR air and ground crews to offer fascinating insights into operating, flying and maintaining the mighty Sea King.

More information about Haynes Aircraft Manuals

Product details

Author:	Lee Howard
Details:	160 pages, 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.39 in (27.5 x 21.5 x 1 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	50 b&w and 225 color photos
Language:	English (technical dictionaries in 19 languages are available for free download here)
Publisher:	Haynes Publishing (GB, 2014)
Series:	Haynes Aircraft Manual
ISBN:	9780857335050

Westland Sea Lynx

This volume is devoted to the Sea Lynx, which has been in loyal service with the German Navy for decades. German frigates would be indispensable without this machine: it significantly increases the range and reaction speed of the ships. The helicopter's sensors and weapons are designed for its main role, hunting submarines. Two helicopters are on board each.

In addition to the technology, the book also focuses on reports, i.e. "being there" during missions, anti-submarine training and maintenance. Of course, the worldwide use of the model, which has been successful for decades, is also examined.

Product details

Author:	Ulf Kaack, Sönke Nielsen
Details:	224 pages, 10.6 x 9.25 x 0.75 in (27 x 23.5 x 1.9 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2023)
Series:	Flugzeugtypen
ISBN:	9783613045088

Sikorsky Sea King

The unmistakable Sea King has been used by the German Navy for decades in maritime search and rescue (SAR) and has saved thousands of lives. The reliable machine has also proven itself as an on-board helicopter for task force supply ships.

Pages of the book "Sikorsky Sea King"

The author, himself a former marine, presents the legendary helicopter in all its details. Crews, staff officers, technicians and instructors have their say, describe their most exciting experiences and take the reader right into the action. A unique and well-founded documentation with fascinating images.

Product details

Author:	Ulf Kaack
Details:	224 pages, 10.6 x 9.25 x 0.75 in (27 x 23.5 x 1.9 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2021)
Series:	Flugzeugtypen
ISBN:	9783613043916