Westland Whirlwind
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Lee Bates, e-mail, 22.02.2024 16:55

Recent research suggests that the main reason for drop off in performance at altitude and engine damage / reliability, was due to propeller choice.
The Rotol prop of the original was thinner and more efficient than the production DH props.
The Peregrine was starved of development time, due to the priority given to the Merlin.
The cooling system overall was ropey to say the least!
If the aircraft had been built around the Merlin, chances are there would have been no Whirlwinds at all.
The Whirlwind was a way to utilize the peregrines as no other aircraft was designed to use it.
So stick with the known Kestrel engine, fit rotol props, sort out the cooling, maybe bigger flaps, and we may never have needed the Typhoon and that horrible Sabre engine


Erwin Stoerrle, e-mail, 12.11.2021 22:41

In my oppinion Westland Whirlwind was and still is the most "beautiful" Propdriven Aerplane.Thats why I'm trying to build one after plans from Sarik Hobbies in 65". What I'm looking for are some detailed drawings of the Main landinggear.I would like to make the model as true as possible. I don't care about the issues and problems about the engines, it doesn't take away her beauty. For any help I would be thankful.
With kind regards


Anonymous, 11.10.2020 11:33

Merlin 20s were suggested for the Whirlwind. As the Typhoon was under development they thought that one engine aeroplanes would do the job. The pilots that flew Whirlwinds loved them.


Steve Dovey, e-mail, 23.04.2017 18:54

And another thing. I keep seeing people suggest the Whirly could have been fixed with Merlin engines. Nonsense, the merlin was 33% bigger than the Peregrine and it would never have been practical at this time to completely redesign the aircraft to take it. The DH Hornet didn't last even though built at the end of the war (as a long range naval fighter) when navigation equipment made single seaters more practical.
It would be interesting to estimate from records, how many pilots lost over occupied territory due to engine failure from enemy fire or coolant leaks might have made it back had they had a spare engine (Whirlwind) or an air colled engine (Centaurus/Typhoon/Tempest) This certainly saved many Mosquito crews!


Steve Dovey, e-mail, 23.04.2017 18:34

Can we finally lay this spectre to bed!,,
There was nothing wrong with the RR Peregrine engines other than effectively a limit on useful altitude due to less than perfectly designed superchargers (NOT reliability) they proved to be very reliable in service.
The main reason for cancellation of the aircraft was that the Whirlwind was the ONLY aircraft using this engine and Rolls Royce wanted drop it to concentrate on the Merlin. The Whirlwind should and would have been a great success story if the air ministry had got behind it and closed down the largely wasted effort on the Napier Sabre. The Bristol Centaurus was already in being and could have easily been put into service in 1941 in the big Hawker fighters as it eventually was.


Barry, 18.04.2016 15:26

The last paragraph is rubbish. The reason the Whirlwind failed was the untried Peregrine engines. These engines were a failure not quite as bad as the Vulture but still not great. See Leo Rudicki's comments above.


Richard, e-mail, 12.03.2016 17:58

I believe one of the prototypes had the four nose cannon arranged in one row, rather than the two pair arrangement fitted as standard. I'd like to modify a model kit to represent this a/c but can't find any further info. Any thoughts, or even a photo? Thanks.


sven, 01.10.2015 19:38

Walt. Yes the whirlwind did have split flaps. The rear of the nacelle went down with the flaps ,if you look carefully at the line drawing you can see the joint.


Walt, e-mail, 01.10.2015 07:07

I'm researching the Westland Whirlwind to see if it is feasible to scratch build a 1/3 scale version for flying. Based on drawings I have seen on RC versions, I do not see flaps. The 3-view on this website appears to show flaps, but lines on an drawing could be misleading. Does anyone know if it had flaps. Also, any direction finding good documentation would be helpful. Thank you.


Ron, e-mail, 06.03.2015 20:28

61 claims of victories and damaged against 22 pilots lost to all causes including accidents, isn't that bad for the RAF.

Tire blowouts should have been better addressed in my opinion. Surely larger flaps could have helped with hot landing speed. Then it wouldn't be limited to long airstrips.

For endurance, cross tank fuel access is a no-brainer as well as droptanks.

Too many were lost to lack of info. When 4 were outnumbered over 5 to 1 against all enemy fighters and only 2 more were sent unsuspecting to relieve them, what gives? Of course all were lost.

If destined for ground attack, why not try radial engines for added durability as well as reliability?

I like the idea of selective fire control to double firing time with such a limited ammo load. Even just 2 Hispanos (at a time) are still plenty potent in 1940. Granted, the pattern of fire will be less dense for dogfighting. So increase the load. With more wing and hp that won't hurt.
No need to jump to the Welkin for this. Something inbetween and compact, closer to the nimble 'Whirly'.


Ron, e-mail, 06.03.2015 05:58

The trailing edge of the wing could have been straight for more wing area to adress the hot landing speed (like the wing of the Westland G.46 concept high altitude plane that followed). The Peregrines should have continued refinement until reliable or replaced with a Merlin since a new wing could take it's weight. The wing could add fuel tankage as well.
In it's day the Whirlwind could outclimb and outrun it's Spitfire escort! It could have kept pace.

When the Spit V got clobbered by the new Fw 190, the 'Whirly' could have challenged the Fw 190's success especially at lower altitudes where the Spit was overmatched the most.

I would prefer the Whirlwind over the Typhoon that replaced it. And with the larger wing of the G.46, it's payload would be improved too.


Ron, e-mail, 06.03.2015 01:12

Stewart,
I like the Welland idea.
The Whirly needed better engines and droptanks. I think the Welkin was too heavy! Something inbetween sounds good.
I don't care if it had radials as long as it's more reliable and faster.


Paul Scott, e-mail, 26.01.2015 16:54

Great aircraft, potentially, a shame that Merlins couldn't have been used, with the unreliable Peregrines sealing its fate, though at that time, the onus was on single-engined fighters for priority production. Shame a mock-up couldn't be built anywhere.


Jane Donaldson, e-mail, 01.09.2014 22:36

I certainly do. My hlate husband, Arhtur Donaldson DSO etc, told me that from all the many types of aircraft he flew he felt safest, strongest and ahppiest in in much loved Whirly. Je even christened his much loved Aberdeen terrior @Whitly@. And thereby hangs another tale! please do get in touch.

Jane Donaldson


Jane Donaldson, e-mail, 01.09.2014 22:27

YeS. i Already in touch with the team working on the Whirlwind. I am Arthur Donaldson's widow and I am sure with personal aspects of his career. I do hae a copy of his service record, to which I would be prepared to divolve interesting facts, subject to the approval of MOD. Please get in touch if I can be of help.

Jane Donaldson

g


Reeve Martin, e-mail, 04.08.2014 16:55

My uncle George Martin flew with 137 Squadron (previously with 263 Squadron) and was lost in operation Fuller. I would like to hear from anyone associated with either squadron who might provide any detail. Many thanks.


Redherringz, e-mail, 24.01.2014 11:03

I was given to understand that the Whirlwind was held in reserve as ground support/anti-armour, should Hitlers invasion of England proceed.


JANE DONALDSON, e-mail, 02.04.2013 13:35

Just as a matter of interest, my late husband, G/Capt Arthur Donaldson, commanded 263 Squadron and smong msny exercises carried out a rhubarb on Morlaix airfield in Brittany. He was hit in the head by Akak fire, but managed to return safely to Exeter.

I am really interested in the replica project and also in the possibility of a film. Luckily I am in touch with both Jim Munro and David Gibbings, so I am being kept in touch.

Arthur considered the Whirlwind to be a wonderful aircraft. Having two engines gave him a lot of extra confidence.

In my recently published memoir, Plain Jane, I do record the event, and there is a picture of Arthur and also one of his helmet - riddled with holes! The book is available on Amazon if anyone is interested.

JANE DONALDSON


derekhudson, e-mail, 14.03.2013 14:29

wear can i get a diecast model of this plane


Krys Kingston, e-mail, 19.04.2012 04:58

Hello-my Grandfather was a Lt. Col. in the RCAF and he is an amazing and humble man. He is heathy and sharp as a tack (and been married to my beautiful and wonderful Grandmother for 67 yrs.) and I would love to find a way to allow him to sit in a replica of the plane that he so dearly loved and did such courageous things in.
His name is Lt. Col. John E. McClure. I can be reached at kingcastle_13@msn.com or 720-275-3676. My name is. Krys. Thank you.


Doc, e-mail, 15.04.2012 18:18

Tracey,
Commiserations.
Your Dad Ray and I were in comms and it was with sadness I learned from your Mum he had had the fatal. He had appraised me his health was not quite as he would [?"Wood"] have had it. I appreciate the stuff he sent me, and would be interested to learn more of the paintings.
Best,eh,
Doc


Stuart Hawkins, e-mail, 07.04.2012 13:22

Walter, I'm part of the research team for the Whirlwind Fighter Project, who are building a full scale, stactic replica of the Whirlwind.

Would it be okay if we contact your goodself as we're in need of as much information as we can get and finding people who actually worked on the P9 project, is proving difficult to say the least...


Stuart Willard, e-mail, 19.03.2012 12:23

The point about range with Merlins is a well made one it certainly would have made it effectively a cannon armed interceptor in the Spitfire range which is why once cannon armed spits were available though potentially more lethal the WW was no longer a priority. Its role was already considered a long range fighter escort when a role was being sought for it but its range wasnt really up to that job once France fell and daytime bombing declined. I suspect that re engining alone would have been only part of any upgrade, wing an fuselage design would likely have been changed along with it.

It wasnt designed with Merlins in mind (Petter wanted those) is simply because at the time Merlins were an unreliable prototype and the Peregrines were considered a 'reliable' back up engine. Other aircraft were designed to use it but fell by the wayside and yes the Vulture cancelation ( a double Perigrine) was the final straw.

Out of interest luck plays a massive role here. The Spitfire was initially a stopgap solution with only some 300 being ordered till the Typhoon could come into service. The rest is history.

The Mosquito like the Merlin powered WW was purely built as a company backed solution and disinterest from the Air Ministry. Even DeHavilland himself was not committed to its production and only fortunate circumstances gave it a belated go ahead. Same with the Hornet (the WW concept perfected years later) it only got the go ahead because jets were going to be unsuitable in the Pacific theatre but then found itself without a role, but was shown to be extremely effective post war in arial combat simulations against Sea Furies.


Andre Verreault, e-mail, 13.03.2012 01:37

To Walter Mcgowan
If possible would you help me to find photos of the battery installation I am building it at 1/24 scale
THANK YOU


dekspaik, e-mail, 09.01.2012 07:37

Merely replacing the Peregrines with Merlins - in itself a massively complicated process - would not have produced a dream machine. The limited fuel capacity and hence a short range would heve been exacerbated by the installation of more powerful engines.


Barry Kevin Flewitt, e-mail, 08.01.2012 19:40

Fitted with Merlins I think that this aircraft would have been a real bomber killer.
Working with Spitfires and Hurricanes the quartet of 20mm cannons would have torn the bombers apart. When we are told that the Merlins were needed for other aircraft, we have to ask were they better employed in Fairy Battles and Defiants?
Even today the Whirlwind looks modern for it's time and that near bubble canopy gave the pilot a much better view than most of it's contemporaries.
The high T tail might have given the pilot problems when bailing out though.


andy, e-mail, 07.12.2011 21:23

Hello everyone,
It seems to me that the Whirlwind's potential wasn't totally ignored. If we look at De Havilland's Hornet there are many similarities, it's a pity though that this design came too late to make a difference.


paul scott, e-mail, 01.07.2011 23:11

A fine aircraft, as many of you have said, hampered by the engine problems with the Peregrine and, as has been said, Merlin engines needed to be given priority to other aircraft. What would this have been like with Merlins I wonder???


telle, e-mail, 26.05.2011 00:50

An outstanding aircraft plagued by underpowered and unreliable engines, This certainly was a missed opportunity by a short sighted Air Ministry.


Oliver Hill, e-mail, 03.03.2011 16:02

Since the Lysander was the only aircraft I was sure of recognising, for christmas 1944,when I was 12,I received "The Book of Westland Aircraft" which has a page of description and photos plus a page with side, front and top drawings of the Whirlwind. I can e-mail photos if anyone wants.


Klaatu83, e-mail, 15.11.2010 04:58

The biggest drawback to the Whirlwind was, without doubt, the decision to design it around the Rolls-Royce Peregrine engine. At that time lot of different types of aircraft used the Rolls-Royce Merlin, but this was the only one designed to use the somewhat smaller Peregrine. With a major war going on and demand for the maximum production of Merlin engines a vital national priority, it was understandable that the powers-that-be at the British Air Ministry should have decided to curtail development and production of a special airplane engine used in only a single type of aircraft. The same thing happened to the Vulture engine used in the ill-starred Avro Manchester, which was subsequently resurrected as the highly-successful Merlin-engined Lancaster. If Westland had been able to re-design the Whirlwind around the Merlin it's fate might have been different. Fortunately, however, the RAF had a much more versatile twin Merlin-engined fighter-bomber to fall back on, the De Havilland Mosquito.


tracey, e-mail, 20.10.2010 16:45

hello to all of you that know Ray Wood (my dad) who died very suddenly on 20th sept. I just wanted to say thank you to those of you that attended the funeral. I have been informed that my dad's "whirly" is now in situ at Norwich aviation museum.. thank you to all involved, he would have been very pleased. I have been asked by a couple of people to carry on my dad's love of aeroplanes and produce a couple of paintings, so they are now in construction, so lets hope i can deliver!! thanks again. Tracey x


G. Thornber, e-mail, 29.09.2010 00:48

the only time I saw one of these was early in the war and it was flying very low over the beach at Blackpool. It was still secret and, as a youngster I was very excited about it. It was only a few seconds before it was gone.
But I can still see it in my minds eye, with its very unusual and impressive shape.


G. Thornber, e-mail, 29.09.2010 00:47

the only time I saw one of these was early in the war and it was flying very low over the beach at Blackpool. It was still secret and, as a youngster I was very excited about it. It was only a few seconds before it was gone.
But I can still see it in my minds eye, with its very unusual and impressive shape.


jerry brewer, e-mail, 26.09.2010 00:39

Hi Walter
were you involved in the undercarriage design for the merlin whirlwind,I am most interested in how it worked out with the merlin arrangement, any information you recall would be most welcome here
jerry


Stuart Willard, e-mail, 23.09.2010 19:28

Just an update and a sad one too in part. I have just heard that Ray wood has suddenly died.

On a better note I am very much in contact with Jim Munro so if you would like to contact me Willie I would be delighted to make sure you can get hold of him.

Equally Walter your information is extremely interesting and Jim who is producing a film on the aircraft would love to hear from you as would I as I am busy visualising a Merlin powered Whirlwind. Any help you could give on this mater and already it seems your information has cleared up an important aspect i would love to hear from you.

This is true of anyone else too who has contributed here and is not in contact with Jim. I would love to talk to you and connect you with Jim.

stuartwillarduk@gmail.com


Doc, e-mail, 22.09.2010 11:08

Is this site still active?
If so, anybody got detail drawings/plans?
For what reason?
We will get to that later. For now I need detail as to structure and build, ok.
Doc


Willie Dickson, e-mail, 09.09.2010 18:16

My great uncle Bertram Dickson carried out the first ever air recce It was done on 21Sept 1910. The event has been featured on the BBC'S fLYING sCOTS ON 9.12.02. A "Jim Munro" was featured and interviewed as a Bertram Dickson biographer. My family is very keen indeed to trace Jim to invite him to the centennial celebrations on 21.9 10. Anyone able to advise me please.


Ray Wood, 16.08.2010 16:45

I have completed the 2nd phase of my static replica build ,and this is now at the City of Norwich Aviation Museum Horsham St Faith. The section at the Fenland Museum will be moved to Norwich in the next few weeks ,and hopefully with a bit of " Jiggery" both sections can be joined together.


Walter McGowan, e-mail, 07.08.2010 05:46

ref my last post. The wing bombs. To carry 250 lb. Bombs.
I designed the carriers, a nasty design problem. I solved it and got a raise for doing so.
Great to read that they were put to good use.
Walter.


Walter McGowan, e-mail, 07.08.2010 05:43

I worked on the P9 the first prototype in the Experiment shop, 1938. I was an apprentice. After a flight I was with the ground crew after a flight. It was a cold wind blowing, "high ups" and the cold ground crew drifted off for shelter.
I was told to stay with the plane.
I was alone and so climbed into the cockpit for warmth.
Picture an 18 year old youth in charge of a secret fighter.
Imagine that today.
Later I was promoted to the design department and worked on the installation of 2 Merlin in the production version.
This was not to order yet, so the funding was Westlands.
At that time the firm was taken over by John Browns the ship building people. They refused to finance the project.
So we stopped the design.
What a mistake. Initially the guns were drum fed, limited the firing time but later had belt feed.
They sure made quick work of trains and enemy road convoys.
I have a model where I can see it each day.


David Wicks, e-mail, 04.08.2010 19:57

I was interested to read the comments from Anthony Pugh dated 30.11.09. My father in law Bill Ireson was on the dive bombing raid with Anthony's Uncle (Tom Pugh) when he was killed in action on 2nd August 1943. I understand that Tom had just armed his bombs when his aircraft was hit by flack and literally exploded in mid air. Anthony may like to know that Bill (O.C. of A Flight on 182) who survived the war and is still living at 93 had a very high regard for Tom.


TONY STRAW., e-mail, 07.07.2010 13:28

At last I now have a fully completed "Whirlwind" with cockpit canopy. Next jobs are a "Lysander" and " Wyvern". I need to find larger models as the eyes are not so good these days. I've found a "Wyvern" Kit from a company called Trumpeter which is a larger scale.I have a "Lysander" Kit but that is 1/72 a bit too fiddly I think.


Stuart Willard, e-mail, 10.06.2010 22:03

Just to update people.
1) I have now illustrated what a Merlin powered Mk2 would likely have looked like.
http://www.screenworx.net/Stuart/Portfolio/Pages/AviationArt.html#4
2) A documentary is being produced about the aircraft by Jim Munro who has found some very interesting information, pilot input and original film. If anyone has any information about the aircraft or links that may be useful. Please contact me if you feel you have anything of value.
3) 'Welland' - there was a welkin which used aspects of the whirlwind design and was a high alt fighter but few were made. There was also a RR (Whittle) Welland jet engine which powered the Meteor. Are you confusing the two?
4) 'Whirlwind Build' - There were plan to build one that would have taxied but not flown but it seems to have stalled possibly through a death.
However I discovered that a part replica of one is being built and good progress is being made at Fenland & West Norfolk Aviation Museum by Ray Wood. A few pics here http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=92250

Hope that helps


Barry Smith, e-mail, 09.06.2010 00:39

Is my memory playing tricks ? Help! I'm sure I once saw a photo of a Westland Welland . I also recall, it had a prototype roundal. Am I dreaming or was there , indeed,a Westland prototype of that name ?


TONY STRAW., e-mail, 14.05.2010 17:53

Hi Dez, sounds as if You are building a flying model?. I have just built a 1/72 scale Airfix starter kit but You wouldn't believe it, I somehow lost the cockpit canopy so I now have a fully painted Westland Whirwind minus a cockpit canopy. I contacted Airfix asking for a replacement but no joy yet. What a shame it wasn't a very successful aeroplane as it was designed around the wrong engine but as You say a nice looking aircraft.

Regards Tony.


Dez Delaforce, e-mail, 14.05.2010 07:47

I made one of these as a model a few months ago,for my son. Great looking plane. I've been reading a lot about the Whirlwind and its demise. What I would love to know is anyone out there building one....a real one. Could it be done? Does anyone know? In the mean time I'll have to settle with my sons model.


Anthony John Straw, e-mail, 11.04.2010 18:04

I have just found this site and I would just like to say that My father Edward John Straw (Jack), Joined Westland Aircraft before the War as an Aeronautical Engineer after being invalided out of the RAF. He trained at RAF Halton but Diabetese ended His Airforce career. He loved Westlands and was to work there for most of His career with only a brief spell at EMI (Wells,som.)but returned until His retirement. He was to work on the Lysander, Whirlwind, Wyvern and probably many others and on into the Helicopter era. After the War Many Lysanders went to the Turkish Airforce in Crates and My Father went out there to Assist the Turks with the assembly. After the shop floor He went into Contracts and various other office jobs also with the Hyperbaric Chamber Section of Westlands. I do find it sad in some respects that some of the Aircraft that He worked on did not forfill their expectations. But I think His favourite Aircraft was the Lysander and that excelled itself. I only wish He were still with us as I would like to hear His thoughts about the Aircraft that He was so proud off, as a kid I don't think the subject ever came up. I still have His Discharge Papers and his application papers for a position at Westlands Aircraft. My apologies for eulogising about Him but I just thought that he deserved a mention Here.

Many Thanks. Anthony J Straw.


John Dighton, e-mail, 25.02.2010 12:44

I have always had a soft spot for the Whirlwind. A fantastic platform/airframe, which with more powerful and reliable engines (not to mention hydraulics!) could have been one of the best fighters of WWII. It was apparently a great aircraft to fly, a real pilots aircraft! What devastating firepower was concentrated in its nose which could bus any ground target as well as air target. Only the Mosquito had a greater concentration of firepower in its nose with 4,20mm cannons and four machine guns. What a missed opportunity!!


Stuart Willard, e-mail, 02.02.2010 22:15

Yes the one that survived was at Yeovil where it had been sent to Westland for repair. It was used for some time but then buried under the runway around wars end where it still rests minus engines and various parts removed beforehand. There are projects to build one. I stumbled across this site to gain information so that I can illustrate a 'Westland Mk2' with Merlins having already done a Mk1. Imagine how that aircraft would have performed truly a great aircraft in waiting.


Anthony Pugh, e-mail, 30.11.2009 22:49

My late uncle, Sqn/Ldr Thomas P Pugh,DFC was Commanding Officer of 263 Squadron in August 1941 and is I believe credited with advocating the fitting of bomb racks to the Whirlwind. I have a BBC recording from January 1942 of uncle Tom giving an account of a sortie (pre-bomb racks I think!)to a German airfield in coastal France. This describes his flight strafing and destroying a number of JU-88's on the ground. Uncle Tom was later W/Cmdr with 182 Squadron operating Typhoons and was MIA/KIA on 2 August 1943 divebombing a destroyer in Dunkirk harbour. I have a copy of the page from the Operations Record Book giving details of this sortie. My father Sqn/Ldr Robert M Pugh AFC RAF (Ret'd) (who flew "Wimpeys" with Coastal Command), now 89, has yet to hear this recording, which I have managed to extract from the old 78rpm record my father had kept and transfer to a cd for him for Christmas. I wonder what he will think hearing his late brother's voice sixty six years on? John Mclure might well have known uncle Tom and it would be interesting to hear if there are indeed former comrades of unlce Tom's out there. I would be pleased to hear from anyone in this regard.


john mcclure, e-mail, 11.11.2009 03:39

Having completed a tour of operations in the Whirlibomber in WW2 with RAF 137 and 263 Sqds I assure that this was a great aircraft to fly. With the 4 20 mm cannons in the nose it was tremendous against shipping,train busting etc
It could have been further developed but Lord Beaverbrooke, the minister of aircraft production made the decision to turn maximum production into the spitfire which was a proven machine with obvious potential for development. So the Westland Co was ordered to build Seafires a naval version of the Spitfire.


Doc, e-mail, 07.08.2009 00:07

It was the only British fighter that could handle the initial Fw190 "Butcher bird", albeit only up to "Angels 15" where the power fell off on the Peregrines.
Lost out due to lack of development re engines. Peregrine was final update of Kestral, but failure of the proposd RR X-engine for the Manchester led to the 4 Merlin Lancaster and full shutdown of engine production for the Whirlwind, as the X-engine was to have been 2 Peregrine crankcases, coupled, and this failure doomed the best fighter britain had as it was too small for Merlins - see Welkin, aka MkII -
and two Merlins was TWO Spitfires or Hurricanes @ a time they needed every one of those that they could build, so the Whirlwind lost out on a whole slew of fronts, doing remarkably well for the (lack) of development they had for a remarkably long service time. You can see the same wing planform in the EE Canberra, also a Petter design, which also was a remarkably efficient and long lasting aircraft.


leo rudnicki, e-mail, 22.04.2009 22:12

And compare wing thickness with the Gloster F.9/37. Spitfire thin, fast versus Beaufighter thick, slow.


leo rudnicki, e-mail, 22.04.2009 22:01

One of the greatest "alternative history" airplanes of all time.It could have been a DH Hornet in 1940. Drop a Heinkel in a single burst. Cover Dunkirk and Dieppe without running out of gas,sorry, petrol. Use the Merlins from all the unbuilt Battles and Defiants. Needed bigger magazines, 150/200 rpg. Coulda been a contender.


d.jay, 14.02.2009 23:12

Westland did want to build a MkII with Merlin engines as an escort fighter, but due to bombers going to night ops it was not needed.


d.jay, 14.02.2009 23:12

Westland did want to build a MkII with Merlin engines as an escort fighter, but due to bombers going to night ops it was not needed.


Wayne, e-mail, 14.02.2009 04:44

Just imagine what an interceptor this would make with a pair of Merlin 61's powering this aircraft. How about a Bristol Centaurus powered post D-Day fighter-bomber. A fine airframe in search of an engine.


Don, e-mail, 08.11.2007 17:51

Did any of the Whirlwinds go down in fresh water, i.e. a lake and thus could be retrieved? How many of the planes were lost in combat verses being scrapped? I think I recall that one had a landing gear collaspe during operations and was sent back to the factory for repairs which were done. The plane was then scrapped just after the war.


Michael Thorburn, e-mail, 27.12.2006 10:16

Most of them were scrapped at 5MU - RAF Kemble in the early 1970s.


Martin Cole, e-mail, 24.12.2006 12:10

I would like to know the full combat record of this aircraft,eg how many airframes existed after itīs combat service finished and how they were disposed of.




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