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Britain's Westland Whirlwind fighter1,2
Nickname: "Whirlybombers"2
Westland Whirlwind |
Westland Whirlwind |
Design
The Whirlwind was designed to meet a 1935 specification for a "cannon fighter."2 The initial design could carry four 20 mm cannons.2
The Westland Whirlwind was plagued by unreliable engines.1
Cockpit
The Whirlwind's cockpit afforded the pilot excellent views.1
Tail
The rudder went all the way to the bottom of the fin allowing for the Whirlwind to aim the aircraft accurately on a bomb run.1 The tail plane was mounted high in the tail which assisted in dive bombing.1
Prototype
In February 1937 a contract for two prototypes was issued.2 The first prototype flew on October 11, 1938.2
Production
An order for production Whirlwinds was placed in January 1939.2
- Prototype: 22
- Whirlwinds: 1121,2
- Production: - December 1941.1
Variants
- Prototype:
- Whirlwind Mk I: Production version.2 First delivered in June 1940.2
Usage
The Westland Whirlwinds only equipped two squadrons, the 263 and 137 Nos Squadrons.1,2 The No. 263 Squadron received their Whirlwinds in December 1940 and the No. 137 Squadron in September 1941.1 The Whirlwinds were replaced at the end of 1943.2
The Whirlwind was used with success against ships and ground targets.1 Bomb laden Whirlwinds were called "Whirlibombers" by their pilots.1,2
In August 1941 Whirlwinds shot down four Bf. 109s and sunk an E-Boat.1
Secret
The first time the British public learned of the Whirlwind was in a German magazine.1
Scharnhorst and Gneisenau Attacks
The Whirlwinds participated in the attacks in February 1941 on the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau.1
| Westland Whirlwind Mk I1,2 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1 Fighter bomber1,2 |
| Crew | 11,2 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Rolls-Royce Peregrine piston1 2: Rolls-Royce Peregrine I2 |
| Cylinders | V 122 |
| Cooling | Liquid1 |
| HP | 885 each1,2 |
| Propeller blades | 31,2 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 45'1,2 13.72 m1,2 |
| Length | 32' 9"1,2 9.98 m1,2 |
| Height | 11' 6"1, 11' 7"2 3.52 m1, 3.53 m2 |
| Wing area | 250 ft2 1 23.22 m2 1 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 8,294 lb1, 8,310 lb2 3,769 kg2, 3,770 kg1 |
| Loaded | 10,356 lb2, 11,365 lb1 4,697 kg2, 5,166 kg1 |
| Maximum load | 11,388 lb2 5,165 kg2 |
| Performance | |
| Speed | 360 mph1 580 kph1 |
| Speed @ 15,000' / 4,570 m |
390 mph2 579 kph2 |
| Speed @ 15,000' / 4,570 m with bombs |
270 mph2 434 kph2 |
| Climb | 1,550'/minute2 472 m/minute2 |
| Climb to 15,000' / 4,570 m2 |
5.8 minutes2 |
| Service ceiling | 30,000'1,2 9,144 m1,2 |
| Range | 800 miles1,2 1,287 km2, 1,290 km1 |
| Armament | |
| Fuselage nose | 4: 20 mm2 4: 20 mm Hispano1 |
| Bombs under wings | 1,000 lb1,2 454 kg1,2 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
