Westland Whirlwind (fighter)

Westland Whirlwind (fighter). The Westland Whirlwind was a British twin-engine heavy fighter and fighter-bomber developed and manufactured by Westland Aircraft during the late 1930s. Designed to meet Air Ministry Specification F.37/35, it was one of the first Royal Air Force combat aircraft to feature a tricycle landing gear and was heavily armed with four Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon mounted in its nose. Although praised for its handling and firepower, its service was hampered by the unreliable performance of its Rolls-Royce Peregrine engines, limiting its operational career primarily to low-altitude attack roles over Western Europe.

Development and design

The Whirlwind originated from Air Ministry Specification F.37/35, which called for a single-seat, long-range fighter armed with a powerful cannon armament. The design team at Westland Aircraft, led by W. E. W. Petter, created a compact, all-metal monoplane powered by two liquid-cooled Rolls-Royce Peregrine engines, which were essentially a development of the famous Rolls-Royce Kestrel. A key innovation was the incorporation of a tricycle landing gear, a rarity for Royal Air Force aircraft at the time. The aircraft's most distinctive feature was its concentrated armament of four 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon, providing devastating firepower against both aircraft and ground targets. The prototype, serial number L6844, first flew from RAF Boscombe Down on 11 October 1938, piloted by Harald Penrose. Despite promising performance, the project faced persistent delays due to issues with the Peregrine engine and modifications to the cannon installation, pushing its entry into service well into World War II.

Operational history

The Whirlwind entered service with No. 263 Squadron RAF in June 1940, too late to participate in the Battle of Britain. Its initial role was as a long-range escort fighter, but the limited high-altitude performance of its Rolls-Royce Peregrine engines made it vulnerable to opposing Luftwaffe fighters like the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Consequently, from late 1941, the aircraft found its niche as a low-altitude fighter-bomber, conducting "Rhubarb" cross-Channel raids against targets in occupied France, the Low Countries, and later during the Dieppe Raid. No. 137 Squadron RAF also operated the type in this role. The Whirlwind proved effective in ground-attack missions, its cannon being particularly destructive against locomotives, shipping, and enemy airfield traffic. However, the ongoing unreliability and lack of development potential for the Peregrine engine, coupled with the superior performance of newer types like the Hawker Typhoon, led to its withdrawal from frontline service by the end of 1943.

Variants

Only one major variant of the aircraft was produced. The Whirlwind I was the sole production model, with 116 aircraft built. Several experimental modifications were tested, including one aircraft fitted with a turbosupercharger in an attempt to improve high-altitude performance, and another used for trials with underwing rocket projectiles. A proposed development, the Whirlwind II, was to be powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, but this project was abandoned in favor of other aircraft like the Westland Welkin. A single prototype was also converted into a dedicated Whirlwind (fighter) P.R. photo-reconnaissance model, with the cannon replaced by cameras.

Operators

The primary and only wartime operator was the Royal Air Force. The two frontline squadrons equipped with the Whirlwind were No. 263 Squadron RAF, based at RAF Exeter and later RAF Warmwell, and No. 137 Squadron RAF, which operated from RAF Charmy Down and RAF Manston. A small number of aircraft were also used by various RAF Fighter Command operational training units and for experimental duties at establishments like the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at RAF Boscombe Down.

Specifications (Whirlwind I)

* Crew: One * Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m) * Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m) * Height: 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) * Wing area: 250 sq ft (23 m²) * Empty weight: 8,310 lb (3,770 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 10,270 lb (4,658 kg) * Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Peregrine I V-12 engine liquid-cooled piston engine, 885 hp (660 kW) each * Maximum speed: 360 mph (580 km/h) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m) * Range: 800 mi (1,300 km) * Service ceiling: 30,300 ft (9,200 m) * Armament: 4 × 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon in nose * Bombs: Provision for 2 × 250 lb (110 kg) or 500 lb (230 kg) bombs under wings

Category:British fighter aircraft 1930–1939 Category:Twin-engined tractor aircraft Category:Westland aircraft Category:World War II British fighter aircraft