Westland Whirlwind (helicopter) explained

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.

Whirlwind helicopters fitted with turbine power served right up until the early 1980s, and a converted Whirlwind was in the Queen's Flight.

Design and development

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 9400feet 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

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.[7]

The Royal Air Force Air Sea Rescue Services 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.[8]

The last Whirlwind was retired from service in 1982, and the last HAR.10 in 1981.[9]

Two upgraded Whirlwinds (HCC.8 models) were added to the Queen's Flight in 1959, and eventually replaced by the Wessex helicopter.[10]

Variants

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[11]
  • 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.[12]
  • HAS.22 : 15 built by Sikorsky; anti-submarine. Equivalent to HO4S-3.[12]

    • Operators

    Military operators

    [13] [14]

    [15] [16] [17]

    [15]

    [18]

    [19]

    [19]

    [19]

    [20]

    [21]

    [22]

    [23] [24]

    19 helicopters [25] [26]

    Civil operators

    [27] [28] [29]

    Surviving aircraft

    Cyprus

    Germany

    Netherlands

    United Kingdom

    In popular culture

    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.[64]

    The character of Harold the Helicopter from The Railway Series and Thomas & Friends is based on a Westland Whirlwind with fitted pontoons.[65]

    References

    Bibliography

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. James 1991, pp.320–321.
    2. James 1991, p.322.
    3. James 1991, p.329.
    4. James 1991, p.330.
    5. James 1991, p. 336.
    6. Web site: Westland Whirlwind HAR Mk.10 . 2024-03-17 . helimuseum.com.
    7. James 1991, p. 336.
    8. Web site: 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.. RAF 22 Squadron. 22 April 2017. 8 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161121103431/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/22Squadron.cfm. 21 November 2016. dead. dmy-all.
    9. Web site: Westland Whirlwind in united kingdom Royal Air Force .
    10. Web site: 2023-05-06 . The aircraft used to fly the Royal Family over the decades . 2024-03-17 . www.key.aero . en.
    11. Book: Howard . Lee . Burrow . Mick . Myall . Eric . Fleet Air Arm Helicopters since 1943 . 2011 . Air-Britain . 978-0-85130-304-8 . 75.
    12. Thetford 1978, p.423.
    13. Web site: FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 . flightglobal.com . July 1968. 28 January 2015.
    14. Web site: Westland-WS-55-Whirlwind . Demand media . 28 January 2015.
    15. Web site: FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – Page 49 . flightglobal.com . July 1968. 28 January 2015.
    16. Web site: Flight Global - 1966 . flightglobal.com . July 1966. 28 January 2015.
    17. Web site: Westland Whirlwind HAR3, N-7010, Brazilian Navy . abpic.co.uk . 28 January 2015.
    18. James 1991, p. 336.
    19. World Helicopter Market . Flight International. 11 July 1968. 94. 3096. 52.
    20. Web site: FlightGlobal World Helicopter Market – 1968 . flightglobal.com . July 1968. 28 January 2015.
    21. World Helicopter Market . Flight International. 11 July 1968. 94. 3096. 54.
    22. Air International September 1988, p.136.
    23. Web site: Westland Whirlwind HAR10 Helicoptor . MooreAircraft.com . 28 January 2015.
    24. Web site: A Royal Navy Westland Whirlwind helicopter flies alongside the south coast of England. . BBC . 28 January 2015 . dead . https://archive.today/20130215134955/http://www.bbcmotiongallery.com/gallery/clip/1B012593_0002.do . 15 February 2013 .
    25. World Helicopter Market . Flight International. 11 July 1968. 94. 3096. 60.
    26. Web site: Yugoslavian Westland-WS-55-Whirlwind . Demand media . 28 January 2015.
    27. James 1991, p. 327.
    28. Web site: Bristow Helicopters Westland-WS-55 . Demand media . 7 February 2013.
    29. Web site: Westland WS-55 Series 3, G-AODA/EP-HAC/9Y-TDA, at The Helicopter Museum . helicoptermuseum.co.uk . 2 February 2013 . 10 January 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100110203940/http://www.hmfriends.org.uk/brisgaodabig.htm . dead .
    30. Book: Vassallo, David. A history of the Princess Mary Hospital; Royal Air Force Akrotiri 1963-2013. 2017. Vassallo. 9780992798017. 7.
    31. Web site: [Homepage] ]. Flugausstellung . 14 June 2019.
    32. Web site: Sikorsky S-55 Royal Navy 590 . PS Aero . 14 June 2019.
    33. Web site: Westland Whirlwind . Demobbed . 14 June 2019.
    34. Web site: [Untitled] ]. The Helicopter Museum . 14 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170552/http://www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk/leonardo.htm . 30 October 2018.
    35. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland WS-55-Series 3 Whirlwind, c/n WA.113, c/r 9Y-TDA . Aerial Visuals . 14 June 2019.
    36. Web site: Aircraft Listing . Midland Air Museum . 14 June 2019.
    37. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland WS-55-Series 3 Whirlwind, c/n WA.298, c/r G-APWN . Aerial Visuals . 14 June 2019.
    38. Web site: Aircraft . Solway Aviation Museum . 14 June 2019.
    39. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky Whirlwind HAR.21, s/n WV198 RN, c/r G-BJWY . Aerial Visuals . 14 June 2019.
    40. Web site: Westland Whirlwind HAR1 (XA864) . Fleet Air Arm Museum . 14 June 2019 . 25 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190525061512/https://www.fleetairarm.com/exhibit/westland-whirlwind-har1-xa864/6-30-57.aspx . dead .
    41. Web site: Aircraft List . South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum . 14 June 2019 . 30 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180330002043/https://www.southyorkshireaircraftmuseum.org.uk/aircraftlist . dead .
    42. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAR.10, s/n XD163 RAF, c/n WA.020 . Aerial Visuals . 14 June 2019.
    43. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAR.3, s/n XG574 RN, c/n WA.069 . Aerial Visuals . 14 June 2019.
    44. Web site: AEROPARK EXHIBITS . East Midlands Aeropark . 14 June 2019.
    45. Web site: Westland Whirlwind HAS7 (XG594) . Fleet Air Arm Museum . 14 June 2019 . 25 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190525061552/https://www.fleetairarm.com/exhibit/westland-whirlwind-has7-xg594/6-30-80.aspx . dead .
    46. Web site: OUR EXHIBITS . Morayvia . 15 June 2019.
    47. Web site: EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUM . Airworld Aviation Museum . 14 June 2019.
    48. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAR.10, s/n XJ726 RAF, c/n WA.097 . Aerial Visuals . AerialVisuals.ca . 14 June 2019.
    49. Web site: WHIRLWIND . Historic Helicopters . 14 June 2019 . 6 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190606124133/http://www.historichelicopters.com/Pages/30/Whirlwind.html . dead .
    50. Web site: WESTLAND WHIRLWIND HAS7 . Imperial War Museum . 14 June 2019.
    51. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAS.7, s/n XK936 RAF, c/n WA.163 . Aerial Visuals . 14 June 2019.
    52. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAS.7, s/n XK940 RN, c/n WAH.167, c/r G-AYXT . Aerial Visuals . 14 June 2019.
    53. Web site: Westland Whirlwind HAS7 (XL853) . Fleet Air Arm Museum . 14 June 2019 . 25 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190525061519/https://www.fleetairarm.com/exhibit/westland-whirlwind-has7-xl853/6-30-91.aspx . dead .
    54. Web site: Aircraft on display . North East Land, Sea and Air Museums . 14 June 2019.
    55. Web site: OUR AIRCRAFT . Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum . 28 June 2020.
    56. Web site: Aircraft & Cockpit Exhibits . RAF Manston History Museum . 14 June 2019 . 26 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626090733/http://www.rafmanston.co.uk/index.php/museum-aircraft . dead .
    57. Web site: Westland Whirlwind HAR 10 . Royal Air Force Museum . 14 June 2019.
    58. Web site: Simpson . Andrew . INDIVIDUAL HISTORY [XP299] ]. Royal Air Force Museum . 14 June 2019 . 2013.
    59. Web site: Basecamp Honeybourne . All Things Wild . 21 September 2016 . 14 June 2019.
    60. Web site: c/n wa362 . Helis.com . 14 June 2019.
    61. Web site: Aircraft . City of Norwich Aviation Museum . 14 June 2019 . 12 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190612091202/http://www.cnam.org.uk/1aircraft.php . dead .
    62. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HAR.10, s/n XR453 RAF . Aerial Visuals . 14 June 2019.
    63. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky-Westland Whirlwind HCC.12, s/n XR486 RAF, c/n WA.418, c/r G-RWWW . Aerial Visuals . 14 June 2019.
    64. Web site: Westland WS-55 Whirlwind Series 1 . The Helicopter Museum . 10 October 2023.
    65. Book: Awdry . Wilbert . . Awdry . George . Kaye & Ward . 1987 . 0-434-92762-7 . en . Wilbert Awdry.

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