Westland PV-3

Westland Aircraft

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1915 in United Kingdom
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Aircraft

The Westland PV-3 was a British two-seat torpedo bomber developed during the 1930s by Westland Aircraft. Conceived as a private venture, it was derived from the Westland Wapiti but never progressed to mass production. This aircraft is notably recognised for being among the first two planes to successfully fly over Everest during the Houston-Mount Everest Flight Expedition.

History

Designed in 1930 as a private initiative, the PV-3 was intended as a versatile two-seat aircraft capable of operating either as a carrier-based torpedo bomber carrying a new lightweight torpedo under development by the Admiralty, or serving in an army-cooperation role. It represented an evolution of the Westland Wapiti, featuring an all-metal airframe and folding two-bay wings. Propulsion was provided by a 575 hp (429 kW) Bristol Jupiter XFA radial engine. Defensive weaponry included a forward-firing Vickers machine gun and a Lewis gun mounted on a Scarff ring in the observer’s cockpit. The aircraft could accommodate either the proposed 1,000 lb (455 kg) torpedo beneath the fuselage or bombs of equivalent weight under its wings.

The PV-3 took to the skies for the first time in February 1931, demonstrating strong performance characteristics—particularly its high operational ceiling—and favourable handling during evaluations at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Martlesham Heath. Despite these qualities, no production contracts were awarded, and the lightweight torpedo project was ultimately discontinued.

In November 1932, this aircraft was selected alongside the Westland PV-6 (the prototype that would become the Westland Wallace) for participation in the Houston Mount Everest Flying Expedition, tasked with flying over and photographing Mount Everest. Renamed with the registration G-ACAZ, it underwent modifications including the addition of a rear cabin and installation of a more powerful 630 hp Bristol Pegasus engine coupled with a large diameter propeller. Following these changes, it was test flown from Yeovil and achieved an altitude of 35,000 ft on 25 January 1933.

Piloted by Lord Clydesdale with Stewart Blacker serving as observer and photographer, the PV-3 flew alongside the Wallace on 3 April 1933 to become part of the first pair of aircraft to fly over Mount Everest. They also passed over Kangchenjunga on 4 April and conducted a second flight over Everest on 19 April after initial photographs were deemed insufficient for mapping purposes. Subsequently, in July 1933, the PV-3 was displayed at London’s Selfridges department store. By December that year, bearing the military serial K4048, it was transferred to Bristol Aircraft to serve as an engine test platform. The aircraft is occasionally referred to as the Houston-Westland in tribute to Lady Houston, who financed the expedition in 1933.

Operators

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• Royal Air Force
• Royal Geographical Society

External links

• Westland Data Sheet Archived 23 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
• Westland PV.3 – British Aircraft Directory