Author Topic: Please add this Twin next version :) (Read 268 times)

Tac · « **on:** April 05, 2002, 03:20:14 PM »

Westland WhirlwindType: Single Seat Day Fighter (later Fighter-Bomber)
Origin: Westland
Models: Mk. I and IA
First Flight October 11, 1938
Service Delivery: June 1940
Final Delivery: December 1941
Number Produced: 112

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Engine:
Model: Rolls-Royce Peregrine I
Type: 12-Cylinder liquid cooled Vee
Number: Two Horsepower: 885 hp

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Dimensions:
Wing span: 45 ft. (13.72m)
Length: 32 ft. 9 in. (9.98m)
Height: 11 ft. 7 in. (3.52m)
Wing Surface Area: N/A

Weights:
Empty:
Whirlwind I: 7,840 lb. (3699 kg)
Whirlwind IA: 8,310 lb. (3770 kg)
Loaded:
Whirlwind I: 10,270 lb. (4658 kg)
Whirlwind IA: 11,388 lb. (5166 kg)
Performance:
Maximum Speed:
Clean: 360 mph (580 km/h)
With Bombs: 270 mph (435 km/h)
Initial Climb (Clean): 3,000 ft/min (915 m/min)
Service Ceiling (Clean): 30,000 ft. (9144m)
Range: N/A (but thought to be roughly 800 miles)

Armament:
Four 20mm Hispano Cannons in nose.

Payload: IA only
Underwing racks for up to 1,000 lb. (454 kg) of bombs.

There were 2 operational squadrons of this plane and saw action. This would give the brits their first true twin engined fighter.

SELECTOR · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2002, 04:56:24 PM »

i was just reading about this plane the other day..

oboe · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2002, 06:29:10 PM »

The first plane designed and built totally during the London blackout.

Its obvious they never turned on the lights.

Dr Zhivago · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2002, 06:38:20 PM »

The Whirlwind was developed to fullfill a requirement (F.37/35) for a long range escort fighter. The type was a stable and pleasant aircraft to fly and had a formidable amount of firepower for the time. Unfortunately development was delayed by the unreliable Peregrine engine. Also the type suffered from an unusually high landing speed (80 mph) which meant that the type couldn't operate from short, grass fields. These issues led the type to see only limited production.
Eventually two squadrons, nos 263 and 137, were equipped with the type and in August 1941 escorted Blenheims on an attack against Cologne in daylight. After the RAF switched to night bombing the type was relegated to cross-channel straffing and bombing sorties.

Dr Zhivago · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2002, 06:50:42 PM »

Boulton Paul defiant , fighter with arment of four .303 Browning machine guns in hydraulically operated dorsal turret.

Another single seat fighter/bomber?

Sclew · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2002, 11:12:21 PM »

There was a book released in Canada ast year that had an Ex-WW pilot reminiscing about the plane. Apparently the thing was absolutely amazing in the A2G role. It easily outdived spits and 109's and was described as very stable and gentle to fly. Only scary bit really semed to be that high landing speed.

RUSH · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2002, 01:19:56 AM »

AlphaTwo · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2002, 01:43:40 AM »

I think I'd preffer some other aircraft, I do not see th point of bringing this ugly lady to the AH skies.

spitfiremkv · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2002, 08:33:33 AM »

i don't know why, whenever I look at that thin fuselage and big engines of the Whirlwind I get freaked out.
I'd rather have the Beaufighter since it served in so many roles during the war!

BUG_EAF322 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2002, 12:24:51 PM »

it looks nice
i wanna know more

looks like a forgotten plane