Westland Wapiti

Westland Aircraft

Industry	Aerospace, Defence
Founded	1915
Headquarters	Yeovil , United Kingdom
Products	Aircraft, including Westland Wapiti

Template:Infobox aircraft

The Westland Wapiti was a British two-seat, single-engine biplane designed for general military purposes during the 1920s. Developed and manufactured by Westland Aircraft, it was intended as a successor to the Airco DH.9A within the Royal Air Force.

Making its maiden flight in 1927, the Wapiti entered RAF service in 1928 and remained in production until 1932, with a total output of 565 units. It served in twenty RAF squadrons both domestically and overseas, notably in regions such as India and Iraq. The aircraft continued to be operated by the RAF until 1940 and was also adopted by the air forces of Australia, Canada, South Africa, and India. The design later evolved into the Westland Wallace, which gradually replaced the Wapiti in RAF roles.

The name Wapiti derives from the wapiti or elk, a large member of the deer family native to North America and parts of eastern Asia.

Design and development

File:Westland Wapiti 2 ExCC.jpg

In 1927, the British Air Ministry issued Specification 26/27 seeking a replacement for the aging Airco DH.9A, which had been designed during the First World War and still formed the backbone of the RAF's General Purpose squadrons. The specification aimed to reduce costs and development time by requiring extensive reuse of DH.9A components, as large stocks of spares were available, while encouraging adoption of an all-metal airframe. Numerous manufacturers submitted designs to fulfill this requirement, including Westland, who leveraged their prior involvement in detailed design work on the DH.9A and their established role as a major DH.9A contractor.

The resulting Wapiti featured a conventional configuration as a single-engine biplane with equal-span two-bay wings that exhibited slight stagger. It incorporated tandem open cockpits and fixed main landing gear with a tailskid. The forward fuselage utilized a metal tube framework covered with aluminium and fabric, whereas the rear fuselage employed fabric-covered wooden construction. Its wings and tail surfaces initially consisted of standard wooden components from the DH.9A, though later variants replaced these with all-metal structures. Propulsion was provided by a single Bristol Jupiter radial engine. Armament included a fixed forward-firing Vickers machine gun for the pilot and a rear-mounted Lewis gun for the observer; additionally, it could carry up to 580 lb (264 kg) of bombs under its wings and fuselage. The aircraft was equipped with radio communication equipment and photographic cameras, and like its predecessor DH.9A, it could carry an auxiliary wheel for operations on rough terrain.

The prototype took to the air for the first time on 7 March 1927. Initial flight evaluations revealed handling difficulties; modifications including a larger tail surface and horn-balanced ailerons rectified these issues. It was later found that a fuselage section measuring approximately two feet (0.61 m) had been inadvertently omitted from the prototype—however, since flight characteristics were deemed acceptable after adjustments, this segment was not reinstated. The aircraft performed well during RAF trials while incorporating significant quantities of DH.9A parts and was ultimately selected as the winner of the competition, leading to an initial production order for twenty-five units in October 1927.

Subsequent production models saw replacement of wooden fuselage, tailplane, and wings with metal structures in versions designated Wapiti II and IIA; meanwhile, the original extended fuselage length was restored in the Wapiti V and later variants. In 1930, Westland introduced a substantially redesigned version known as the Wapiti VII, which was sufficiently distinct to be renamed as the Westland Wallace.

Operational history

File:100 years of the RAF MOD 45163719.jpg

RAF Wapitis stationed in Gilgit, Kashmir circa 1930

The aircraft was introduced to service with No. 84 Squadron RAF in Iraq during June 1928. It saw extensive deployment in Iraq and India primarily fulfilling the Army Cooperation role, while also occasionally performing bombing and reconnaissance missions. In December 1928, Wapitis from No. 20 Squadron provided escort protection to Victoria troop transporters during the evacuation of Kabul. The type remained operational in India up until 1942. Within Britain, Wapitis were utilized by the Auxiliary Air Force between 1929 and 1937. Additionally, both Australia and Canada operated the type, with Canadian units employing them at the onset of the Second World War.

The prototype Wapiti V, bearing registration G-AAWA, conducted demonstration flights on floats in Argentina and Uruguay, powered by a 550 hp Armstrong Siddeley Panther IIA engine. Subsequently, it was modified with a Bristol Pegasus engine and redesignated as the Westland PV-6 or Wapiti VII, re-registered as G-ACBR. This version, also known as the Houston-Wallace after its sponsor Lucy, Lady Houston, was intended for a high-altitude flight over Mount Everest. Piloted by Flt Lt David F. McIntyre alongside a companion Westland PV-3, these two aircraft became the first to fly over Mount Everest on 3 April 1933. The PV-6 later received the designation Wallace Mk I with serial K3488, incorporating several enhancements. A total of 68 Wapitis underwent conversion to the Wallace Mk I configuration.

The Indian Air Force continued operating the Wapiti into the early phase of the Second World War. During the Imperial Japanese Navy's assault on Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka), two Wapitis were dispatched by the Indian Air Force for patrol missions off India's east coast to locate Japanese naval forces. While the southern patrol did not encounter any enemy units, the northern patrol spotted a Japanese task group including the aircraft carrier Ryujo. The Wapiti survived this engagement and returned safely without damage.

Military operators

Template:AUS

• Royal Australian Air Force – Operated 44 Wapitis from 1929 until 1944.
  • No. 1 Squadron RAAF
  • No. 3 Squadron RAAF
  • No. 1 Flying Training School RAAF
  • Central Flying School RAAF

Canada

• Royal Canadian Air Force
  • No. 3 Squadron RCAF
  • No. 10 Squadron RCAF
  • No. 100 Squadron RCAF
  • No. 118 Squadron RCAF

Template:China as ROC

• Chinese Nationalist Air Force

Template:Country data Kingdom of Hejaz

• Hejaz Air Force

India

• Royal Indian Air Force
  • No. 1 Squadron, Indian Air Force
  • No. 2 Squadron, Indian Air Force
  • No. 7 Squadron, Indian Air Force
  • No. 1 Air Gunnery School (India)
  • No. 1 AACU
  • No. 2 AACU
  • No. 3 AACU
  • No.1 Coastal Defence Flight, IAFVR
  • No.2 Coastal Defence Flight, IAFVR
  • No.4 Coastal Defence Flight, IAFVR (later redesignated No. 104 (GR) Squadron, Indian Air Force)
  • No.5 Coastal Defence Flight, IAFVR
  • No.6 Coastal Defence Flight, IAFVR

South Africa

• South African Air Force

Template:UK

• Royal Air Force

(in India)

• • No. 5 Squadron RAF from 1931 to 1940
  • No. 11 Squadron RAF from 1928 to 1932
  • No. 20 Squadron RAF from 1932 to 1935
  • No. 27 Squadron RAF from 1930 to 1940
  • No. 28 Squadron RAF from 1931 to 1936
  • No. 31 Squadron RAF from 1931 to 1939
  • No. 60 Squadron RAF from 1930 to 1939

(in Iraq)

• • No. 30 Squadron RAF from 1929 to 1935
  • No. 39 Squadron RAF from 1929 to 1931
  • No. 55 Squadron RAF from 1930 to 1937
  • No. 84 Squadron RAF from 1928 to 1935

(in the United Kingdom)

• • No. 24 Squadron RAF stationed at RAF Northolt, operated from 1924 to 1930
  • No. 501 Squadron RAF at RAF Filton, active between 1930 and 1933
  • No. 600 Squadron RAF based at RAF Hendon, served from 1929 to 1935
  • No. 601 Squadron RAF at RAF Hendon, operated between 1929 and 1933
  • No. 602 Squadron RAF initially at RAF Renfrew, then moved to RAF Abbotsinch, active from 1929 to 1934
  • No. 603 Squadron RAF stationed at RAF Turnhouse, served between 1930 and 1934
  • No. 604 Squadron RAF based at RAF Hendon, operated from 1930 to 1934
  • No. 605 Squadron RAF at RAF Castle Bromwich, active between 1930 and1934
  • No.607 Squadron RAF stationed at RAF Usworth, served from1932 to1937
  • No.608 Squadron RAF based atRAF Thornaby, operated between1930 and1937

Variants

All models were manufactured by Westland in Yeovil

File:Westland Wapiti 1 ExCC.jpg

• Wapiti I – The original production model delivered to the RAF. Constructed with a wooden frame and equipped with a 420 hp (313 kW) Bristol Jupiter VI radial piston engine. A total of 25 units produced for the RAF.
• Wapiti IA – An enhanced variant designed for the RAAF, featuring a 480 hp (358 kW) geared Bristol Jupiter VIIIF radial piston engine and a divided-axle main landing gear. Twenty-eight were manufactured.
• Wapiti IB – Closely resembling the Wapiti IA, this version saw four units exported to South Africa. Subsequent modifications included installation of a 525 hp (392 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Panther engine and increased fuel capacity.
• Wapiti II – A pre-production model incorporating an all-metal rear fuselage and wing framework, replacing the wooden components of the Wapiti I. Powered by the Jupiter VIII engine, with ten built.
• Wapiti IIA – The primary production version equipped with tropical adaptations, partial dual controls, and compatibility with either wheel or float landing gear. Initially powered by the Jupiter VIII engine, with 430 units produced.
• Wapiti III – A two-seat multipurpose biplane developed for the SAAF, based on the Wapiti IIA. Powered by either a 480 hp (358 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar VI or a 550 hp (410 kW) Panther VI engine. Four assembled by Westland, followed by 27 built under license at SAAF Workshops.
• Wapiti IV – A proposed design featuring a long fuselage powered by a Hispano-Suiza 12N engine intended for Spain. One extended fuselage Wapiti IV may have been delivered in 1931 to Chinese warlord Zhang Xueliang.
• Wapiti V – An army cooperation model with an elongated fuselage for the RAF, fitted with a message pickup hook and reinforced undercarriage. Powered by a 600 hp (448 kW) Jupiter VIIIF engine, with 35 produced.
• Wapiti VI – An unarmed trainer variant with dual controls for RAF use. Sixteen units were constructed.
• Wapiti VII – A prototype originally known as the Houston-Wallace P.V.6, later converted into an experimental Wapiti VII aircraft.
• Wapiti VIII – Designed for the Central Chinese government, this long-fuselage version was powered by a Panther IIA engine. Four units were built.

Surviving aircraft

File:Westland Wapiti Delhi Air Museum.jpg

Westland Wapiti K-813 displayed at the Indian Air Force Museum in New Delhi.

A Westland Wapiti bearing Serial Number K-813 remains preserved at the Indian Air Force Museum, Palam, Delhi, representing the last intact example of this type. Additionally, parts of another aircraft (Serial Number K-811), specifically its fuselage and lower wing, were reported to be stored at the museum's facility; however, as of June 2012, only the lower wing of K-811 survives, though it is in a severely deteriorated state.

External links

• Westland Wapiti – Directory of British Aircraft
• Wapiti's role in Canadian service Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
• Westland Wapiti – British Aircraft utilized during World War II