Westland Westminster

Westland Aircraft

Industry	Aerospace, Helicopter manufacturing
Founded	1915 (1915)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Helicopters, including Westland Westminster

The Westland Westminster represented a British heavy-lift helicopter developed during the 1950s by Westland Aircraft. It featured a substantial cargo capacity and was powered by two turboshaft engines that drove a single main rotor with five blades. Initially, the airframe was constructed entirely of metal and left uncovered, but it was subsequently enclosed with fabric. Conceived and produced as a private initiative without governmental funding, the project was ultimately terminated following Westland's acquisition of competing helicopter manufacturers and their more advanced designs.

Development

The Westminster emerged as the first concrete outcome of Westland Aircraft’s decade-long pursuit in the 1950s to create a heavy-lift helicopter powered by gas turbines. Their design explorations included ambitious concepts such as the W.90, an enormous troop transport seating 450 personnel, equipped with three Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire turbojet engines mounted on rotor tips.

In 1954, Westland explored the possibility of producing the Sikorsky S-56 under licence for civilian use, incorporating turboshaft engines. They sought backing from the Ministry of Supply, but support was not granted. By June 1958, Westland had extended their licence with Sikorsky to include components such as the five-bladed main rotor, gearbox, tail rotor, transmission, and control systems from the S-56. With government interest lacking, Westland proceeded independently to develop a heavy-lift transport helicopter based on these Sikorsky systems but powered by two Napier Eland turboshaft engines. At this time, resources were limited due to Westland’s significant commitment to developing the Wessex, itself a turbine-powered adaptation of the Sikorsky S-58, requiring the Westminster project to operate under tight budget constraints.

Two main versions were initially planned: a short-range civil transport accommodating 40 passengers and a flying crane capable of lifting approximately 15,000 lb (6.8 t). In March 1956, Westland resolved to construct the first prototype as a flying testbed featuring a tubular steel space frame substituting for a conventional fuselage; this frame supported the cockpit, powertrain, and landing gear. Cost efficiency was emphasised by utilising readily available components from other aircraft such as the Westland Whirlwind and the Bristol Freighter. Completion of this initial prototype occurred in February 1958; following comprehensive static and systems assessments, engine tests, and nearly twenty hours of stationary engine running, its maiden flight took place on 15 June.

Flight evaluations revealed notable vibration issues. Consequently, modifications were implemented for the second prototype including replacing the original main rotor with a six-bladed design derived from the Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane. After completing the mandatory ten hours of flight testing, the first Westminster received registration G-APLE, and construction began on the second aircraft.

During this period, concerns arose within the Admiralty that continuing work on Westminster might hinder progress on the Wessex for naval use—although these apprehensions were unfounded, they cast doubt on the larger helicopter's future. Nevertheless, development persisted; G-APLE had its space frame covered with an aerodynamically shaped wooden shell overlaid with Terylene fabric and was fitted with an experimental six-blade rotor. This configuration flew for the first time on 12 June 1960.

The second prototype, registered as G-APTX, conducted its initial flight on 5 September 1959 and underwent further flight testing. However, during this timeframe, significant restructuring occurred within the British helicopter industry as Westland consolidated competitors by acquiring helicopter divisions from Saunders-Roe, Bristol, and Fairey. This expansion brought two direct competitors to Westminster under Westland’s control: Bristol’s proposed civil Bristol 194 (a derivative of their military Bristol Type 192 Belvedere) and Fairey’s government-funded Fairey Rotodyne, a gyrodyne-type aircraft already in flight testing. Consequently, rationalisation led to cessation of Westminster development in September 1960.

Both prototypes were dismantled; parts supplied by Sikorsky were removed and returned to the United States to avoid import tariffs while remaining airframes were sold for scrap.

Bibliography

• James, Derek N. Westland Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam, 1991, ISBN 0-85177-847-X.

External links

• Westland