Canadian Warplanes 3: Westland Whirlwind

Westland Whirlwind

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF (Serial No. P7048), ca 1942.

The Westland Whirlwind was the first single-seat, twin-engined, cannon-armed fighter of the RAF.  When it first flew in 1938, the Whirlwind was one of the fastest combat aircraft in the world, and one of the the most heavily armed, with four Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20-mm autocannon in its nose.  During the Second World War, three RAF squadrons were equipped with the Whirlwind but despite its success as a fighter and ground attack aircraft, it was withdrawn from service in 1943.

Quite a few RCAF pilots were assigned to fly the Whirlwind fighters.  No. 25 Squadron tested three aircraft between May and July 1940.  No. 263 Squadron flew Whirlwinds between July 1940 and Dec 1943.  The Squadron's code letters were HE.  No. 137 Squadron flew Whirlwinds between Sep 1941 and June 1943.  The Squadron's code letters were SF. (Wikipedia)

Nine RCAF pilots were killed in action (KIA) flying Westland Whirlwinds during the Second World War.

The Westland Whirlwind was a British twin-engined heavy fighter developed by Westland Aircraft. A contemporary of the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane, it was the first single-seat, twin-engined, cannon-armed fighter of the Royal Air Force. When it first flew in 1938, the Whirlwind was one of the fastest combat aircraft in the world and with four Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20 mm autocannon in its nose, the most heavily armed. Protracted development problems with its Rolls-Royce Peregrine engines delayed the project and few Whirlwinds were built. During the Second World War, only three RAF squadrons were equipped with the aircraft but despite its success as a fighter and ground attack aircraft, it was withdrawn from service in 1943.

Despite the Whirlwind's promise, production ended in January 1942, after the completion of just 112 production aircraft (plus the two prototypes). Rolls-Royce needed to concentrate on the development and production of the Merlin engine, and the troubled Vulture, rather than the Peregrine. Westland was aware that its design – which had been built around the Peregrine – was incapable of using anything larger without an extensive redesign. After the cancellation of the Whirlwind, Petter (head of Westland design team) campaigned for the development of a Whirlwind Mk II, which was to have been powered by an improved 1,010 hp Peregrine, with a better, higher-altitude supercharger, also using 100 octane fuel, with an increased boost rating. This proposal was aborted when Rolls-Royce cancelled work on the Peregrine. Building a Whirlwind consumed three times as much alloy as a Spitfire.

The Whirlwind was most often used in ground-attack missions over France, attacking German airfields, marshalling yards, and railway traffic. The Whirlwind was used to particularly good effect as a gun platform for destroying locomotives. The aircraft was also successful in hunting and destroying German E-boats which operated in the English Channel. At lower altitudes, it could hold its own against the Bf 109. Though the Peregrine was a much-maligned powerplant, it was more reliable than the troublesome Napier Sabre engine used in the Hawker Typhoon, the Whirlwind's successor. The twin engines meant that seriously damaged aircraft were able to return with one engine knocked out. The placement of the wings and engines ahead of the cockpit allowed the aircraft to absorb a great deal of damage, while the cockpit area remained largely intact. The rugged frame of the Whirlwind gave pilots greater protection than contemporary aircraft during crash landings and ground accidents. (Wikipedia)

Canadian Aircraft Losses (9). Detailed records of all known RCAF and Canadian casualties in the RAF during the Second World War may be viewed on line in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR). The CASPIR website is researched, coded, maintained entirely by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) volunteers with only one staff assisting periodically. This work has taken several years and is unlikely to be finished as continuing research leads to “new finds” and rediscovered Canadian aviation heritage and history.  The CWHM volunteer team looks forward to continuing to update and correct the record as additional information and photos are received. Check here.

(IWM Photo, CH 8392)

Westland Whirlwind Mk. I, RAF (Serial No. P7094), coded HE-T, of No. 263 Squadron, on the ground at Warmwell, Dorset, with Flying Officer James Patrick Coyne, RCAF, in the cockpit, cMay 1943.  The markings below the cockpit indicate that this aircraft was presented to the RAF by the Bellows Foundation in South America.

(Rob Bowater Photo)

Westland Whirlwind photo taken on the day it was removed from the Secret List and released to the Press, Friday 20 March 1942.  From left to right - S/L Robert Woodward DFC, P/O Philip Harvey, Sgt John Walker, F/S Cecil King, F/L Geoff Warnes (on wing), P/O Les Currie, P/O Herbert Blackshaw, Sgt John Meredith, Sgt Mick Muirhead RCAF and Sgt Ken Ridley are watching F/L Cliff Rudland who flew a solo demonstration for the cameras.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF (Serial No. P5112), ca 1942.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF (Serial No. P5112), ca 1942.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF (Serial No. P7048).  This aircraft was damaged by flak on 17 April 1942, and sent back to Westland's for repair.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF (Serial No. P6997).

 (RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF (Serial No. P6969), coded V-HE, No. 263 Squadron, RAF, lost on 8 Feb 1941.

Pilot Officer K.A.G.Graham claimed the first aerial victory by a Whirlwind on 9 Feb 1941, while flying(Serial No. P6969).  The victim was a German Arado Ar 196 float plane.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF (Serial No. P7110), ca 1942.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF (Serial No. P7110), ca 1942.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF (Serial No. P7110), ca 1942.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF (Serial No. P7110), ca 1942.

The Westland Whirlwind heavy fighter was in service with the RAF from 1940-1943.  It was fast and excelled in the low ground attack role.  The Peregrine engines which powered it had many development issues and therefore only 116 were built before it was withdrawn from service.  Whirlwinds were flown by RCAF pilots serving in the UK early in the Second World War.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind of RAF No 137 Squadron being rearmed with 250lb bombs, March 1943, at which time they were stationed at Manston in the UK.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind, RAF being bombed up.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind Mk. I, RAF (Serial No.).

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind Mk. I, RAF (Serial No. P7062), coded HE-L, No.263 Squadron flown by Pilot Officer William A. Lovell, (RCAF), taken during a routine flight in July 1942.  William Lovell was an English-born American who was transferred to USAAF a few weeks later. Whirlwind P7062 was lost during a ground attack exercise sortie by No 263 Squadron near Wroughton, Wiltshire, on 19 February 1942.

(RAF Photo)

Westland Whirlwind Mk. I,RAF (Serial No. P6997), loaded with two 500-lb GP bombs on underwing racks while undergoing fighter-bomber trials.