Rotorcraft
Royal Navy Bids Farewell to the Sea King
After 49 years of service the Sea King has retired from UK military service, leaving the Navy without an AEW capability until 2020
The UK's last military Sea Kings touch down for the last time after delivery into storage. (photo: Royal Navy)
The UK's last military Sea Kings touch down for the last time after delivery into storage. (photo: Royal Navy)

On September 26 three Westland Sea Kings from the Royal Navy undertook a ceremonial last flight after 49 years of service. The trio of 849 Naval Air Squadron Sea King ASaC7 helicopters took off from their home base at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall for a flight that took them for a fuel stop at RNAS Yeovilton and a flypast of the Yeovil factory where they were made, before landing at the HMS Sultan base in Gosport to await disposal. A fourth Sea King followed them by road.