Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)

Westland Aircraft

Industry	Aerospace, Defence
Founded	1935
Headquarters	Yeovil , United Kingdom
Products	Helicopters, including the Westland Whirlwind

This article is about the post-WWII helicopter. For the wartime fighter aircraft by the same manufacturer, see Westland Whirlwind (fighter).

The Westland Whirlwind helicopter was a British licence-produced variant of the American Sikorsky S-55/H-19 Chickasaw. It mainly operated with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm fulfilling roles such as anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue. The Whirlwind was also supplied to various international operators. It was eventually replaced by the turbine-powered Westland Wessex, which was derived from the H-19/Whirlwind lineage and based on the Sikorsky H-34. Numerous versions of the Whirlwind were produced, featuring a range of radial piston and turbine engines.

Turbine-powered Whirlwinds remained in service until the early 1980s, including a modified Whirlwind utilized by the Queen's Flight.

Design and development

File:Westland Whirlwind 1 G-AOCZ BLA 05.09.55 edited-2.jpg

Whirlwind Series 1 prototype equipped with P&W R-1340 engine in 1955

In 1950, Westland Aircraft, which was already manufacturing the American Sikorsky S-51 under licence as the Westland Dragonfly, acquired rights to produce and market Sikorsky's larger Sikorsky S-55 helicopter. Although Westland flew a Sikorsky-built pattern aircraft in June 1951, adapting the design to comply with British standards—including redesigning the main rotor gearbox—proved time-intensive, resulting in the first British prototype, registered G-AMJT and powered by a 600 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-40 Wasp, taking flight only in August 1953. This was succeeded by ten Whirlwind HAR.1 models entering service soon after, primarily undertaking non-combat duties such as search and rescue and communications. The HAR.3 variant featured a larger 700 hp Wright R-1300-3 Cyclone 7 engine.

Early model performance was constrained by the power output of American Wasp or Cyclone engines. In response, the HAR.5, powered by an enhanced engine—the Alvis Leonides Major—had its maiden flight in 1955. Subsequently, the similarly powered HAS.7 became the first British helicopter specifically designed for frontline anti-submarine warfare upon entering service in 1957. It could be equipped either with a dipping sonar for submarine detection or carry a torpedo; however, it could not deploy both simultaneously. As a result, sonar-equipped "Hunters" were employed to guide torpedo-carrying "Killers". The HAS.7 utilized a 750 hp (560 kW) Alvis Leonides Major 755/1 radial engine, achieved a hovering ceiling of 9,400 ft (2,900 m), and had an operational range of 334 miles at a cruising speed of 86 mph.

In 1960, Westland introduced a Whirlwind variant powered by the Bristol Siddeley Gnome turboshaft engine delivering 1,000 hp. This upgrade significantly enhanced performance compared to earlier piston-engine models; helicopters modified with this powerplant were designated HAR.9. The Gnome engine incorporated an early computer-controlled fuel system that stabilized engine power output and simplified pilot handling.

Over 400 Whirlwinds were manufactured, with nearly one hundred units exported internationally.

Several Whirlwinds were later converted to turbine propulsion and continued operational service into the 1970s.

Operational service

File:Whirlwind helicopters on HMS Bulwark (R08) c1961.jpg

Whirlwind helicopters aboard a Royal Navy vessel

The Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm saw 848 Naval Air Squadron as the initial unit to operate HAR.1 models, which replaced the Sikorsky-produced HAR.21 variants of the Whirlwind, beginning utility and search-and-rescue missions in July 1954. Following its adoption by the Royal Navy, the Whirlwind was also introduced into service with the Royal Air Force and the French Navy, the latter acquiring 37 HAR.2 Whirlwinds between 1954 and 1957.

The Royal Air Force Air Sea Rescue Services deployed Whirlwinds painted in a distinctive all-yellow livery to assist individuals in distress along the British coastline. These were eventually supplemented and then succeeded by Westland Wessex and later Westland Sea King helicopters in this capacity.

The final Whirlwind was withdrawn from operational use in 1982, with the last HAR.10 model retiring a year earlier, in 1981.

In 1959, two enhanced Whirlwind HCC.8 helicopters were incorporated into the Queen's Flight fleet; these were subsequently replaced by Wessex helicopters.

Variants

File:Westland Whirlwind HAS7.jpg

Whirlwind HAS.7 operated by the Empire Test Pilots' School, 1963

File:Westland WS-55-3 Whirlwind HAR10, UK - Air Force AN1022801.jpg

Whirlwind HAR.10 from the Central Flying School, 1977, adorned for the Queen's Silver Jubilee Royal Review

File:Westland Whirlwind HCC12 XR486 (G-RWWW) (6819149990).jpg

Whirlwind HCC.12 of the Royal Flight displayed at The Helicopter Museum, 2011

WS-55 Series 1

A total of 44 units produced; powered by American engines (Pratt & Whitney R-1340-40 Wasp); designed for both military and civilian transport roles

WS-55 Series 2

Produced in quantities of 19; equipped with Alvis engines (Alvis Leonides Major 755); intended for civilian applications

WS-55 Series 3

Five constructed; featured Gnome turboshaft engines (Bristol Siddeley Gnome 101); civilian use

HAR.1

Ten built; operated by the Royal Navy primarily for search and rescue missions

HAR.2

Thirty-three manufactured; entered service with the Royal Air Force starting in 1955

HC.2

Utilized by the RAF

HAR.3

Twenty-five produced for Royal Navy use; powered by Wright R-1300 Cyclone 7 engines

HAR.4

Twenty-four units built as an improved version of HAR.2 optimized for hot and high environments, serving with the RAF

HAR.5

Three constructed; featured Alvis Leonides Major engines and a tail boom droop of three degrees to enhance main rotor clearance; served with the Royal Navy

HAR.6

One ordered with Turbomeca Twin Turmo powerplant but ultimately completed as an HAR.5

HAR.7

Forty built for Royal Navy operations, six of which were converted to HAR.9 standards

HAS.7

Eighty-nine manufactured for anti-submarine warfare duties within the Royal Navy—carrying one torpedo each—with twelve adapted as Royal Marine transports and six converted to HAR.9s

HCC.8

Two built for transport duties within the Royal Flight, designated VVIP aircraft later converted to HAR.10s

HAR.9

Twelve conversions from HAS.7 and HAR.7 models featuring a Bristol Siddeley Gnome gas turbine replacing the Leonides Major engine, used by the Royal Navy

HC.10

Service variant for the RAF

HAR.10

Sixty-eight produced featuring Bristol Siddeley Gnome turboshaft engines, deployed by the RAF for transport and air-sea rescue operations

HCC.12

Two units built for Royal Flight duties

The US-built evaluation versions included:

HAR.21

Ten units constructed by Sikorsky for rescue roles, equivalent to US Marine HRS-2 models

HAS.22

Fifteen produced by Sikorsky for anti-submarine warfare, comparable to HO4S-3 models

HU2W

Brazilian Navy designation corresponding to WS-55 Series 1 models

UH-5

Brazilian Navy designation for WS-55 Series 3 helicopters, initially designated SH-3 before adopting the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King nomenclature

Operators

Main article: List of Westland Whirlwind operators

File:Westland Whirlwind HAR10 XJ726 (8940365675).jpg

XJ726 – HAR 10 operated by the Royal Air Force

File:Westland WS-55-2 Whirlwind HAS7, UK - Navy AN1934255.jpg

XK936 – HAS 7 in service with the Royal Navy

Military operators

Template:AUT

Austrian Air Force

Template:BRA

Brazilian Naval Aviation

Template:BRU

Template:CUB

Template:FRA

Template:GHA

Template:Country data Iran

Template:ITA

Template:KWT

Template:NGA

Template:QAT

Template:UK

Template:YUG

total of 19 helicopters

Surviving aircraft

File:Whirlwind helicopter at RAF Akrotiri.jpg

Whirlwind helicopter (XD184), formerly operated by 1563 Flight and No. 84 Squadron, displayed at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus

File:Whirlwind HAR10 - Royal Air Force Rescue - XP352 (with tail of XD186) at Flugausstellung Hermeskeil, pic1.JPG

Royal Air Force Rescue Whirlwind HAR.10 exhibited in Hermeskeil, Germany

File:Westland Whirlwind HAR3 Royal Navy XG576 photo 2.JPG

HAR.3 variant powered by a Wright R-1300 Cyclone 7 engine, exhibited in the Netherlands

File:Westland Whirlwind (454222471).jpg

Whirlwind on public display near London

Cyprus

• XD184 – HAR.10 model preserved as a gate guardian at RAF Akrotiri

Germany

• XD186 – HAR.10 preserved for static exhibition at Flugausstellung Hermeskeil in Hermeskeil, Rhineland-Palatinate.
• XP352 – HAR.10 also on display at Flugausstellung Hermeskeil in Rhineland-Palatinate.

Netherlands

• XG576 – HAR.3 variant displayed at PS Aero located in Baarlo, Limburg.

United Kingdom

• G-ANFH Sir Ector Series 1 exhibited at The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
• WA.113 – Series 3 model on static display also at The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare.
• WA.298 – Series 3 example preserved at the Midland Air Museum in Baginton, Warwickshire.
• WV198 – HAR.21 version exhibited at the Solway Aviation Museum in Crosby-on-Eden, Cumbria.
• XA864 – HAR.1 currently held in storage at the Fleet Air Arm Museum located in Yeovil, Somerset.
• XA870 – HAR.1 on static display at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, under ownership of the Yorkshire Helicopter Preservation Group.
• XD163 – HAR.10 preserved and displayed at The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare.
• XG574 – HAR.3 variant displayed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovil.
• XG588 – Series 3 example exhibited at East Midlands Aeropark in Castle Donington, Leicestershire.
• XG594 – HAS.7 model held in storage by the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovil.
• XJ398 – HAR.10 displayed at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum; owned by the Yorkshire Helicopter Preservation Group.
• XJ723 – HAR.10 exhibited at Morayvia museum in Kinloss, Moray.
• XJ726 – HAR.10 preserved and shown at Caernarfon Airworld Museum located in Dinas Dinlle, Gwynedd.
• XJ729 – HAR.10 maintained in airworthy condition by Historic Helicopters based in Crewkerne, Somerset.
• XK936 – HAS.7 model displayed at the Imperial War Museum Duxford situated in Duxford, Cambridgeshire.
• XK940 – HAS.7 displayed statically at The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare.
• XL853 – HAS.7 held in storage by the Fleet Air Arm Museum located in Yeovil.
• XL875 – HAR.9 preserved at Air Service Training based in Perth, Scotland.
• XN258 – HAR.9 on static display within the collection of the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums located in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
• XN304 – HAS.7 exhibited by the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum situated in Flixton, Suffolk.
• XN380 – HAS.7 undergoing restoration for static exhibition at the RAF Manston History Museum located in Ramsgate.
• XN386 – HAS.9 displayed statically at South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum; under ownership of the Yorkshire Helicopter Preservation Group.
• XP299 – HAR.10 preserved and exhibited at the Royal Air Force Museum London situated within London.
• XP345 – HAR.10 exhibited at South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum; owned by Yorkshire Helicopter Preservation Group.
• XP346 – HAR.10 on static display within All Things Wild facility located in Evesham, Worcestershire.
• XP355 – HAR.10 exhibited at the City of Norwich Aviation Museum based in Horsham St Faith.
• XR453 – HAR.10 preserved for static exhibition at RAF Odiham, Hampshire.
• XR485 – HAR.10 displayed by Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum located in Flixton.
• XR486 – HCC.12 variant exhibited statically at The Helicopter Museum located in Weston-super-Mare.

United States

• XJ763 - HAR.10 exhibited as a static display at the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center located in Elmira, New York

In popular culture

In the debut film of the Beatles, A Hard Day's Night, the band is depicted departing the concert venue aboard the BEA Whirlwind, registration G-ANFH. This same helicopter also featured in the 1960 movie The Murderers and the 1963 film starring Oliver Reed, The Damned.

The character known as Harold the Helicopter from The Railway Series and Thomas & Friends draws inspiration from a Westland Whirlwind equipped with pontoons.

See also

Bibliography

• James, Derek M. Westland Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1991. ISBN 0-85177-847-X.
• Thetford, Owen. British Naval Aircraft since 1912. London:Putnam, 1978. ISBN 0-370-30021-1.
• "Wings Over the Gulf: The Qatari Emiri Air Force". Air International, September 1988, Vol. 35, No. 3. pp. 135–144.

External links

• Navy News Archived 11 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
• Helicopter museum
• Westland Whirlwind entry at helis.com database
• [1]Template:Fix/category