A small, fast twin-engined fighter, one of the first to be armed with four 20mm cannon. The Whirlwind was a fine fighter that could combat single-engined fighters with success. It had the misfortune that the development and production of the R.R. Peregrine engine was halted, and no alternative was available. The Whirlwind was tailored to this engine and the original specification. When the Hurricane and Spitfire proved to be able to carry the 20mm cannon, and the Beaufighter filled in the heavy fighter role, interest in the Whirlwind faded. Another defiency was its short range, with a radius of action of only 240km. It served in small numbers (116 built) as fighter-bomber.
Type: Whirlwind Mk. IA
Function: fighter
Year: 1940 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 660kW R.R. Peregrine I
Wing Span: 13.72m Length: 9.83m Height: Wing Area: 23.22m2
Empty Weight: 3768kg Max. Weight: 5175kg
Speed: 580km/h Ceiling: 9240m Range: 1300km
Armament: 4*g20mm b453kg
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/gustin_military/db/br/WHIRLW00.html A very cool plane
Brady
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[This message has been edited by brady (edited 12-12-2000).]
