Westland Whirlwind

[cardboard_killer]

[80 years ago today] "• The Westland Whirlwind becomes operational. It first flew in 1938 but a long engine and undercarriage development phase delayed production, and discontinuation of the Rolls Royce Peregrine engine will likewise end Whirlwind production at 112 machines as the frame can’t mount newer larger engines. At first used to escort ships in the Channel, it will be used as a bomber escort and fighter-bomber before being withdrawn in 1943 and replaced by the Hawker Typhoon. "

 

 

[WheelwrightPL]

This plane was in a class of its own: with wingspan of single-engined Hawker Typhoon, yet with 2 engines. The best of both worlds.

[[_FLAPS_]Grim]

Would love a mkII in the game.

[56RAF_Stickz]

well, a mk II was really just a mkI with bombs. Cannot be many planes that flew operations from early 41 through to end of 43 with almost no modification to engine or airframe save for safety purposes (ie fixing the detaching tailplane) and only 112 to start with. Sadly much maligned aircraft that doesnt deserve such criticsm.

There are two very good books on it, they overlap a fair bit but one deals a lot with its design and build and the other the pilots and role. It was pretty much withdrawn because they no longer had spares for airframe or engines, and many of those that remainded had multiple 00s of flight hours and too worn out to continue.

The common comments that it would have been a world beater with merlins are wrong - it would then have been a mosquito. Merlins would not have fitted, the plane was not designed for them and would needed a complete redesign.

Would love to see one (always sad that never appeared in il2 46 - yes I know there was a mod, but very late, well after main stream flight sim play had moved on) to go with mossie and hopefully the second most iconic twin, beaufighter (behind every mossie variant).

[vonGraf]

I remember having an Aifix of this plane.