On this day 17 October 1956
Published: 17 Oct 2013
17 October 1956, test pilot Mr WH Sear flew XG589, the first HAS.7 variant. This was a versatile helicopter, designed as a hunter/killer, the fuel tanks were moved into deep underfloor areas to allow a bay to be cut into the lower fuselage in order to house lightweight torpedoes or dipping sonar.
120 were built for ASW role with 12 going to 848 for transport of Royal Marines.