Westland IV

Westland Aircraft

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1915
Headquarters	Yeovil , United Kingdom
Products	Aircraft

The Westland IV alongside the Westland Wessex were British-built, three-engine light transport aircraft featuring a high-wing configuration, produced by Westland Aircraft.

Design and development

In 1928, Westland initiated the design of a compact three-engine airliner intended for low-capacity, feeder-liner operations, succeeding its earlier single-engine Westland Limousine transport. Initially referred to as the Limousine IV during early stages, the designation soon evolved to Westland IV. This model was a high-wing monoplane primarily constructed from wood. Its fuselage had a square cross-section formed with spruce longerons and ash framework, internally reinforced with wire bracing and covered in fabric. The wings incorporated wooden box spars and spruce ribs arranged in a Warren girder pattern, supported by streamlined struts connecting them to the fuselage. The aircraft featured fixed tailwheel undercarriage.

The prototype Westland IV made its maiden flight on 21 February 1929, powered by a 95 hp (71 kW) Cirrus engine. Registered as G-EBXK, it was approved to carry two crew members and four passengers. The second unit was equipped with Hermes engines and included a metal rear fuselage section. The third aircraft, bearing registration G-ABAJ, was adapted to house 105 hp (78 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major engines along with additional modifications, serving as the prototype for the Westland Wessex. Subsequently, the two original Westland IVs were converted into Wessex models, resulting in a total production count of ten aircraft.

Cobham Air Routes Ltd

The Wessex gained recognition for its dependable performance and capability to execute short landing approaches. These qualities attracted Sir Alan Cobham in 1935 when he sought a compact airliner for operations between Guernsey and the British mainland. Prior to this, flying boats had been providing transport between Portsmouth and St Peter Port on Guernsey. At that time, Guernsey lacked a public airport; only the private airstrip at L'Eree, operated by the Guernsey Aero Club—of which Cobham was a member—was available. The Wessex was the sole commercial aircraft authorized to operate from L'Eree. Cobham Air Routes Ltd utilized the following Wessex airplanes:

G-EBXK – Westland serial number 1771, received its airworthiness certificate on 21 March 1929. Initially constructed as the prototype Westland IV, it was retained as a demonstrator before being converted into a Wessex and sold to Cobham Air Routes Ltd in 1935. It was retired from service in 1936.

G-ABAJ – Westland serial number 1897, awarded its certificate of airworthiness on 27 May 1930. Originally built as a Westland IV and registered as G-AAJI, it was intended for use in Kenya with Wilson's Airways; however, that order was never fulfilled. Subsequently, G-AAJI was transformed into a Wessex and sold to Sabena under Belgian registration OO-AGC before being acquired by Cobham in 1935. This aircraft was later employed by Trafalgar Advertising during 1936.

G-ADEW – Westland serial number 1899, certified airworthy on 6 August 1930, initially sold to Sabena with registration OO-AGF, and purchased by Cobham in 1935. Tragically, this aircraft was lost over the Channel on 3 July 1935, approximately three to four miles south of The Needles. The sole passenger, Mr C F Grainger, was rescued by the SS Stanmore and transported to Fowey. The pilot, W H Ogden, was presumed drowned inside the aircraft and never recovered. While Ogden was primarily held responsible, the accident also highlighted concerns regarding the aging Wessex airframes and engines. This incident marked a turning point for Sir Alan, who faced operational difficulties and subsequently sold his airline to Olley Air Service.

G-ADFZ – Westland serial number 1900, granted its certificate of airworthiness on 30 August 1930, originally sold to Sabena as OO-AGF before being acquired by Cobham in 1935. Alongside G-ABAJ, G-ADFZ served Trafalgar Advertising and was transported to Blackpool for an air display in September 1935. On 7 September 1935, it collided mid-air over Blackpool with an Avro 504N (G-ACOD). The Wessex crashed in Cedar Square, with its crew surviving; however, all three occupants of the Avro were killed. After repairs, G-ADFZ remained in service until its final withdrawal on 1 December 1946.

Operators

Egypt

Egyptian Air Force

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Royal Air Force

Great Western Railway Air Services Ltd – operated passenger flights between Cardiff Municipal Airport and Plymouth from 1934 to 1939

Cobham Air Routes – provided passenger flights connecting Christchurch Airfield and Guernsey L'Eree during 1935

Portsmouth, Southsea and Isle of Wight Aviation Co., Ltd – passenger transport services

Trafalgar Advertising Co Ltd – specialized in nighttime airborne illuminated advertising campaigns, including promotions for Oxo

Imperial Airways – passenger flight operations

AST Ltd, Hamble – absorbed by the RAF, serving as navigation trainers starting in 1939

Belgium

SABENA – operated passenger flights before selling their aircraft to Cobham Air Routes Ltd in 1935

Specifications Wessex (Genet Major 1A)

File:Westland IV 3-view NACA Aircraft Circular No.95.jpg

Three-view illustration of the Westland IV from NACA Aircraft Circular No.95

References

• British Aircraft directory accessed 2 February 2007

External links

• Westland "Wessex": A Compact Three-Engine Aircraft with Diverse Roles, Flight, 3 October 1930