Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)

Last updated

Whirlwind
Whirlwind - RIAT 2018 (cropped).jpg
A Royal Air Force Whirlwind HAR.10 of the RAF Search and Rescue Force at RIAT 2018
RoleHelicopter
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Westland Aircraft
First flightAugust 1953
Introduction 1954
Retired1982
Primary users Royal Navy
Royal Air Force
list
Produced1953–1966
Number built360+
Developed from Sikorsky H-19

The Westland Whirlwind helicopter was a British licence-built version of the U.S. Sikorsky S-55/H-19 Chickasaw. It primarily served with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in anti-submarine and search and rescue roles. It was also exported to other countries, and the Whirlwind was succeeded by the turbine powered Westland Wessex (based on the Sikorsky H-34) which was developed from the H-19/Whirlwind. The helicopter was made in many variants using a variety of radial (piston) and turbine engines.

Contents

Whirlwind helicopters fitted with turbine power served right up until the early 1980s, and a converted Whirlwind was in the Queen's Flight, although Queen Elizbeth II never flew in it.

Design and development

Whirlwind Series 1 demonstrator fitted with P&W R-1340 in 1955 Westland Whirlwind 1 G-AOCZ BLA 05.09.55 edited-2.jpg
Whirlwind Series 1 demonstrator fitted with P&W R-1340 in 1955

In 1950, Westland Aircraft, already building the American Sikorsky S-51 under licence as the Westland Dragonfly, purchased the rights to manufacture and sell Sikorsky's larger Sikorsky S-55 helicopter. While a Sikorsky-built pattern aircraft was flown by Westland in June 1951, converting the design to meet British standards (including the provision of a revised main-rotor gearbox), was time-consuming, [1] and the first prototype British aircraft, registered G-AMJT, powered by the 600 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-40 Wasp did not fly until August 1953. [2] This was followed by ten Whirlwind HAR.1s, which entered service shortly afterwards. They served in non-combat roles, including search and rescue and communications functions. The HAR.3 had a larger 700 hp Wright R-1300-3 Cyclone 7 engine.

The performance of early versions was limited by the power of the American Wasp or Cyclone engines, and in 1955, the HAR.5, powered by an uprated engine, the Alvis Leonides Major, flew for the first time. [3] This was followed by the similarly powered HAS.7, which became the first British helicopter designed for anti-submarine warfare in the front-line when it entered service in 1957. It could either be equipped with a dipping Sonar for submarine detection or carry a torpedo, but could not carry both simultaneously, so sonar equipped "Hunters" were used to direct torpedo armed "Killers". [4] The HAS.7 was powered by a 750 hp (560 kW) Alvis Leonides Major 755/1 radial engine. It had a hovering ceiling at 9,400 ft (2,900 m) and a range of 334 miles at 86 mph.

In 1960 Westland introduced a Whirlwind powered by the 1,000 hp Bristol Siddeley Gnome turboshaft, the greater power giving much improved performance over the earlier piston-engined variants; helicopters receiving this modification were redesignated as the HAR.9. The Gnome featured an early computer controlled fuel system that removed variations in engine power and made for much easier handling by the pilot.

More than 400 Whirlwinds were built, of which nearly 100 were exported to foreign customers. [5]

Some Whirlwinds were converted to turbine power and served well into the 1970s. [6]

Operational service

Dutch HAR.10 Wirlwind, 1970 Royal Air Force Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 in flight at Ypenburg air base, the Netherlands, in 1970 (176247050).jpg
Dutch HAR.10 Wirlwind, 1970
Whirlwind helicopters on a Royal Navy ship Whirlwind helicopters on HMS Bulwark (R08) c1961.jpg
Whirlwind helicopters on a Royal Navy ship

848 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm was the first squadron to receive HAR.1s, which replaced Sikorsky-built HAR.21 versions of the Whirlwind, for utility and search-and-rescue service from July 1954. After entering service with the Royal Navy, the Whirlwind also entered service with the Royal Air Force and French Navy, which received 37 Whirlwind HAR.2 between 1954 and 1957. [5]

The Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force used Whirlwinds painted in overall yellow for rescuing people in distress around the coast of the United Kingdom. Westland Wessex, and eventually Westland Sea King, helicopters later supplemented and eventually replaced Whirlwinds in this role. [7]

The last Whirlwind was retired from service in 1982, and the last Har.10 in 1981. [8]

Two upgraded Whirlwinds (HCC.8 models) were added to the Queen's Flight in 1959, and eventually replaced by the Wessex helicopter. [9]

Variants

Whirlwind HAS.7 of the Empire Test Pilots' School Westland Whirlwind HAS7.jpg
Whirlwind HAS.7 of the Empire Test Pilots' School
Whirlwind HCC.12 of the Royal Flight Westland Whirlwind HCC12 XR486 (G-RWWW) (6819149990).jpg
Whirlwind HCC.12 of the Royal Flight
WS-55 Series 1
44 built; American engines (Pratt & Whitney R-1340-40 Wasp), transport helicopters for military and civilian use
WS-55 Series 2
19 built; Alvis engines (Alvis Leonides Major 755), civilian use
WS-55 Series 3
5 built; Gnome turboshaft (Bristol Siddeley Gnome 101), civilian use
HAR.1
10 built; RN service; Search and rescue
HAR.2
33 built; RAF service from 1955
HC.2
RAF service
HAR.3
25 built; RN service; Wright R-1300 Cyclone 7 engine
HAR.4
24 built; Improved HAR.2 for hot and high conditions, RAF service
HAR.5
3 built; Alvis Leonides Major engine and a 3 degree droop of the tail boom for increased main rotor clearance; RN service
HAR.6
1 ordered with Turbomeca Twin Turmo engine but completed as an HAR.5 [10]
HAR.7
40 built; RN duties – 6 converted to HAR.9's
HAS.7
89 built; RN anti-submarine duties – 1 torpedo; 12 used as Royal Marine transports, 6 converted to HAR.9's
HCC.8
2 built; Royal Flight transport, VVIP later converted to HAR.10's
HAR.9
12 conversions of HAS.7 and HAR.7 with a Bristol Siddeley Gnome gas turbine replacing the Leonides Major engine, RN service
HC.10
RAF service
HAR.10
68 built; powered by a Bristol Siddeley Gnome turboshaft, RAF service, transport and air-sea rescue
HCC.12
2 built; Royal Flight,

The model numbers for the US-built evaluation models were

HAR.21
10 built by Sikorsky; rescue. Equivalent to US Marine HRS-2. [11]
HAS.22
15 built by Sikorsky; anti-submarine. Equivalent to HO4S-3. [11]

Operators

XJ726 - HAR 10 used by the Royal Air Force Westland Whirlwind HAR10 XJ726 (8940365675).jpg
XJ726 – HAR 10 used by the Royal Air Force
XK936 - HAS 7 used by the Royal Navy Westland WS-55-2 Whirlwind HAS7, UK - Navy AN1934255.jpg
XK936 – HAS 7 used by the Royal Navy

Military operators

Flag of Austria.svg  Austria [12] [13]

Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil [14] [15] [16]

Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei [14]

Flag of France.svg  France [5]

Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana [17]

Flag of Iran.svg  Iran [17]

Flag of Italy.svg  Italy [17]

Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait [18]

Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria [19]

Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar [20]

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom [21] [22]

Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia 19 helicopters [23] [24]

Civil operators

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom [25] [26] [27]

Surviving aircraft

Whirlwind helicopter (XD184), previously of 1563 Flt and No. 84 Squadron, at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus Whirlwind helicopter at RAF Akrotiri.jpg
Whirlwind helicopter (XD184), previously of 1563 Flt and No. 84 Squadron, at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus
HAR.3 version which used a Wright R-1300 Cyclone 7, in the Netherlands Westland Whirlwind HAR3 Royal Navy XG576 photo 2.JPG
HAR.3 version which used a Wright R-1300 Cyclone 7, in the Netherlands

Cyprus

Germany

Netherlands

United Kingdom

Specifications (Whirlwind HAS.7)

Data from Westland Aircraft since 1915 [63]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

In the Beatles first film, A Hard Day's Night, the group is seen flying away from the concert venue at the end of the film on the BEA Whirlwind, G-ANFH. The same aircraft appeared in the 1960 film, The Murderers and the 1963 Oliver Reed film, The Damned. [65]

The character of Harold the Helicopter from The Railway Series and Thomas & Friends is based on a Westland Whirlwind with fitted pontoons. [66]

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaman SH-2 Seasprite</span> 1959 anti-submarine helicopter family by Kaman

The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter originally developed and produced by American manufacturer Kaman Aircraft Corporation. It has been typically used as a compact and fast-moving rotorcraft for utility and anti-submarine warfare missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King</span> American anti-submarine helicopter

The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is an American twin-engined anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter designed and built by Sikorsky Aircraft. A landmark design, it was one of the first ASW rotorcraft to use turboshaft engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westland Wessex</span> 1958 military helicopter family by Westland

The Westland Wessex is a British-built turbine-powered development of the Sikorsky H-34. It was developed and produced under licence by Westland Aircraft. One of the main changes from Sikorsky's H-34 was the replacement of the piston-engine powerplant with a turboshaft engine. Early models were powered by a single Napier Gazelle engine, while later builds used a pair of de Havilland Gnome engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westland Sea King</span> Military helicopter, 1969-present

The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines, British-made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised flight control system. The Sea King was primarily designed for performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. A Sea King variant known as the Commando was developed by Westland to serve as a troop transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw</span> Family of utility helicopters

The Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw is a multi-purpose piston engined helicopter that was used by the United States Army and United States Air Force. It was also license-built by Westland Aircraft as the Westland Whirlwind in the United Kingdom. United States Navy and United States Coast Guard models were designated HO4S, while those of the U.S. Marine Corps were designated HRS. In 1962, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps versions were all redesignated as H-19s like their U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force counterparts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piasecki H-21</span> American military transport helicopter family

The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse/Shawnee is an American helicopter, the fourth of a line of tandem rotor helicopters designed and built by Piasecki Helicopter. Commonly called "the flying banana", it was a multi-mission helicopter, capable of being fitted with wheels, skis or floats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell 47</span> 1945 utility helicopter family by Bell

The Bell 47 is a single-rotor single-engine light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was based on the third Bell 30 prototype, which was the company's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young. The 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946. The first civilian delivery was made on 31 December 1946 to Helicopter Air Transport. More than 5,600 Bell 47s were produced, including those under license by Agusta in Italy, Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan, and Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom. The Bell 47J Ranger is a modified version with a fully enclosed cabin and tail boom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky H-34</span> American helicopter

The Sikorsky H-34 "Choctaw" is an American piston-engined military helicopter originally designed by Sikorsky as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft for the United States Navy. It has seen extended use when adapted to turbine power by the British licensee as the Westland Wessex and Sikorsky as the later S-58T.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky HH-52 Seaguard</span> 1958 transport helicopter family by Sikorsky

The Sikorsky HH-52 Seaguard was an early amphibious helicopter designed and produced by American helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft. It was the first of the company's amphibious rotorcraft to fly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky R-4</span> Two-seat military helicopter of the 1940s

The Sikorsky R-4 is a two-seat helicopter that was designed by Igor Sikorsky with a single, three-bladed main rotor and powered by a radial engine. The R-4 was the world's first large-scale mass-produced helicopter and the first helicopter used by the United States Army Air Forces, the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. In U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard service, the helicopter was known as the Sikorsky HNS-1. In British service it was known as the Hoverfly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky H-5</span> 1943 multi-role helicopter by Sikorsky

The Sikorsky H-5 is a helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westland WS-51 Dragonfly</span> Helicopter built by Westland Aircraft

The Westland WS-51 Dragonfly helicopter was built by Westland Aircraft and was an Anglicised licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-51.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saunders-Roe Skeeter</span> Type of aircraft

The Saunders-Roe Skeeter is a two-seat training and scout helicopter that was developed and produced by British manufacturer Saunders-Roe ("Saro") of Cowes and Southampton, in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Percival Pembroke</span> Type of aircraft

The Percival Pembroke is a British high-wing twin-engined light transport aircraft built by the Percival Aircraft Company, later Hunting Percival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Percival Provost</span> 1950 trainer aircraft by Percival

The Percival P.56 Provost is a basic trainer aircraft that was designed and manufactured by British aviation company Percival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Percival Prince</span> British light transport aircraft

The Percival Prince is a British light transport of the early postwar period. It was a twin-engine, high-wing, cantilever monoplane of all-metal stressed-skin construction; the undercarriage was of retractable, tricycle type.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky S-61R</span> Helicopter used in transport or search and rescue

The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine helicopter used in transport or search and rescue roles. A developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, the S-61R was also built under license by Agusta as the AS-61R. The S-61R served in the United States Air Force as the CH-3C/E Sea King and the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, and with the United States Coast Guard as the HH-3F, nicknamed "Pelican".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell H-13 Sioux</span> Single-engine single-rotor light military helicopter

The Bell H-13 Sioux is an American single-engine light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter and manufactured by Westland Aircraft under license for the British military as the Sioux AH.1 and HT.2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky R-6</span> Type of aircraft

The Sikorsky R-6 is an American light two-seat helicopter of the 1940s. In Royal Air Force and Royal Navy service, it was named the Hoverfly II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flugausstellung Peter Junior</span> Aviation museum in Hermeskeil, Rhineland-Palatinate

The Flugausstellung Peter Junior, previously the Flugausstellung Hermeskeil, is a private aviation museum in the town of Hermeskeil in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

References

Citations

  1. James 1991, pp.320–321.
  2. James 1991, p.322.
  3. James 1991, p.329.
  4. James 1991, p.330.
  5. 1 2 3 James 1991, p. 336.
  6. "Westland Whirlwind HAR Mk.10". helimuseum.com. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  7. "RAF 22 Squadron". 22 April 2017. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016. It wasn't until 1955 that the Squadron reformed again, this time as a search and rescue unit equipped with Whirlwinds. It is in this guise that No. 22 Squadron exists today, having flown Wessex helicopters for a number of years before receiving Sea Kings in the mid-1990s.
  8. "Westland Whirlwind in united kingdom Royal Air Force".
  9. "The aircraft used to fly the Royal Family over the decades". www.key.aero. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  10. Howard, Lee; Burrow, Mick; Myall, Eric (2011). Fleet Air Arm Helicopters since 1943. Air-Britain. p. 75. ISBN   978-0-85130-304-8.
  11. 1 2 Thetford 1978, p.423.
  12. "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968". flightglobal.com. July 1968. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  13. "Westland-WS-55-Whirlwind". Demand media. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  14. 1 2 "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – Page 49". flightglobal.com. July 1968. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  15. "Flight Global - 1966". flightglobal.com. July 1966. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  16. "Westland Whirlwind HAR3, N-7010, Brazilian Navy". abpic.co.uk. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  17. 1 2 3 "World Helicopter Market". Flight International . Vol. 94, no. 3096. 11 July 1968. p. 52.
  18. "FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968". flightglobal.com. July 1968. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  19. "World Helicopter Market". Flight International . Vol. 94, no. 3096. 11 July 1968. p. 54.
  20. Air International September 1988, p.136.
  21. "Westland Whirlwind HAR10 Helicoptor". MooreAircraft.com. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  22. "A Royal Navy Westland Whirlwind helicopter flies alongside the south coast of England". BBC. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  23. "World Helicopter Market". Flight International. Vol. 94, no. 3096. 11 July 1968. p. 60.
  24. "Yugoslavian Westland-WS-55-Whirlwind". Demand media. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  25. James 1991, p. 327.
  26. "Bristow Helicopters Westland-WS-55". Demand media. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  27. "Westland WS-55 Series 3, G-AODA/EP-HAC/9Y-TDA, at The Helicopter Museum". helicoptermuseum.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  28. Vassallo, David (2017). A history of the Princess Mary Hospital; Royal Air Force Akrotiri 1963-2013. Vassallo. p. 7. ISBN   9780992798017.
  29. 1 2 "[Homepage]". Flugausstellung. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  30. "Sikorsky S-55 Royal Navy 590". PS Aero. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  31. 1 2 "Westland Whirlwind". Demobbed. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  32. 1 2 "[Untitled]". The Helicopter Museum. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  33. "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland WS-55-Series 3 Whirlwind, c/n WA.113, c/r 9Y-TDA". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  34. "Aircraft Listing". Midland Air Museum. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  35. "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland WS-55-Series 3 Whirlwind, c/n WA.298, c/r G-APWN". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  36. "Aircraft". Solway Aviation Museum. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  37. "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky Whirlwind HAR.21, s/n WV198 RN, c/r G-BJWY". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  38. "Westland Whirlwind HAR1 (XA864)". Fleet Air Arm Museum. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  39. 1 2 3 4 "Aircraft List". South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  40. "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAR.10, s/n XD163 RAF, c/n WA.020". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  41. "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAR.3, s/n XG574 RN, c/n WA.069". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  42. "AEROPARK EXHIBITS". East Midlands Aeropark. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  43. "Westland Whirlwind HAS7 (XG594)". Fleet Air Arm Museum. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  44. "OUR EXHIBITS". Morayvia. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  45. "EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUM". Airworld Aviation Museum. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  46. "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAR.10, s/n XJ726 RAF, c/n WA.097". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  47. "WHIRLWIND". Historic Helicopters. Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  48. "WESTLAND WHIRLWIND HAS7". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  49. "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAS.7, s/n XK936 RAF, c/n WA.163". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  50. "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAS.7, s/n XK940 RN, c/n WAH.167, c/r G-AYXT". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  51. "Westland Whirlwind HAS7 (XL853)". Fleet Air Arm Museum. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  52. "Aircraft on display". North East Land, Sea and Air Museums. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  53. 1 2 "OUR AIRCRAFT". Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  54. "Aircraft & Cockpit Exhibits". RAF Manston History Museum. Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  55. "Westland Whirlwind HAR 10". Royal Air Force Museum. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  56. Simpson, Andrew (2013). "INDIVIDUAL HISTORY [XP299]" (PDF). Royal Air Force Museum. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  57. "Basecamp Honeybourne". All Things Wild. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  58. "c/n wa362". Helis.com. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  59. "Aircraft". City of Norwich Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  60. "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAR.10, s/n XR453 RAF". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  61. "Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HCC.12, s/n XR486 RAF, c/n WA.418, c/r G-RWWW". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  62. James 1991, pp.336–338.
  63. Thetford 1978, p.352.
  64. "Westland WS-55 Whirlwind Series 1". The Helicopter Museum. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  65. Awdry, Wilbert; Awdry, George (1987). The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways . Kaye & Ward. ISBN   0-434-92762-7.

Bibliography