Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: NavyOne1978 on June 07, 2008, 12:45:27 PM
-
check it out...
[edit] Specifications (Whirlwind)
General characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m)
Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m)
Height: 11 ft 7 in (3.53 m)
Wing area: 250 ft² (23 m²)
Empty weight: 8,310 lb (3,770 kg)
Loaded weight: 10,356 lb (4,697 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 11,410 lb (5,175 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed: 360 mph (560 km/h)
Range: 808 miles (1,300 km)
Service ceiling 30,315 ft (9,240 m)
Rate of climb: 1.550 ft/min (474 m/min)
Wing loading: 41 lb/ft² (204 kg/m²)
Armament
4x Hispano 20 mm cannon in nose (60 rounds per gun, 240 rounds total)
2x 250 lb (115 kg) or 500 lb (230 kg) bombs
The Whirlwind's origin lay in the new aircraft being developed for the RAF after the last of the biplane fighters. With higher attack speeds giving shorter opportunities for firing on targets, it was decided to increase the minimum level of armament on their aircraft. Instead of two rifle calibre machine guns, eight were specified. At the same time it was recognised that guns such as the Hispano-Suiza with 20 mm exploding ammmunition offered another route to heavy firepower and requests were made for aircraft designs with four of these cannon.
A serious problem for air planners of the 1930s was that one could build a nimble combat aircraft only if it was small. Such an aircraft would have limited space for fuel, and would only have enough range to fight in defensive operations. A multi-engined fighter appeared to be the best solution to the problem of range, but it seemed that any fighter large enough to incorporate a substantial fuel load would be too unwieldy to fight its single-engine counterparts.
The Germans and U.S. pressed ahead with such programs anyway, resulting in the Messerschmitt Bf 110 and the Lockheed P-38. Soon the Luftwaffe was boasting that the 110 could beat any single-engine fighter, and do so, while operating at long ranges escorting their bombers. This piqued the interest of the Air Ministry who finally decided to try their hand at such a "destroyer" design and sent out a requirement to aircraft manufacturers. Gloster, Hawker and Westland all responded; the Gloster F.9/37 and Westland F.37/35 designs (from an earlier specification issued for a cannon-armed fighter) were given the go-ahead (Hawker was busy with the Hurricane).
Westland Whirlwind prototype L6845 c.1940Westland's design team, under the new leadership of Teddy Petter (who later designed the English Electric Canberra and Lightning), returned an aircraft that employed state-of-the-art technology. The fuselage was a small tube with a T-tail at the end, built completely of stressed-skin monocoque duraluminium. The pilot sat high under one of the world's first full bubble canopies, and the low and forward location of the wing made for superb visibility (except directly over the nose). In the nose were four 20 mm cannons, making it the most heavily armed fighter aircraft of its era with their clustering meaning there were no convergence problems as there are with wing-mounted guns.
The resulting design was quite small, only slightly larger than the Hurricane in overall size, but smaller in terms of frontal area. All of the wheels fully retracted and the entire aircraft was very "clean" with few openings or protuberances. Careful attention to streamlining and two 885 hp Peregrine engines powered it to over 360 mph (580 km/h), the same speed as the latest single-engine fighters, using much higher-powered engines. The speed quickly garnered it the nick-name Crikey, (a minced oath meaning "my god!" or more accurately "Christ's keys!").
The first prototype (L6844) flew on 11 October 1938 with production starting early the next year. It exhibited excellent handling and was very easy to fly at all speeds. The only exception was landing, which was all too fast. Fowler flaps were added to correct this problem, which also required the horizontal stabilizer (tailplane) to be moved up, out of the way of the disturbed air flow when the flaps were down. Hopes were so high for the design that it remained "top secret" for much of its development, although it had already been mentioned in the French press.
-
(http://www.pilotfriend.com/photo_albums/images12/42.jpg)
Never heard of this one. How many were produced?
-
(http://www.pilotfriend.com/photo_albums/images12/42.jpg)
Never heard of this one. How many were produced?
116, which did equip 2 squadrons
-
a little more info on them...
At low level, the aircraft was a devastating fighter-bomber, armed with both cannons and bombs, and it could hold its own with the Bf 109 at low-level. The performance of the Peregrine fell off at altitude, so the Whirlwind was used almost exclusively at low level.
The aircraft is well summed up by Francis K. Mason’s comments in Royal Air Force Fighters of World War Two, Vol. One:
“Bearing in mind the relatively small number of Whirlwinds that reached the RAF, the type remained in combat service, virtually unmodified, for a remarkably long time…The Whirlwind, once mastered, certainly shouldered extensive responsibilities and the two squadrons were called upon to attack enemy targets from one end of the Channel to the other, by day and night, moving from airfield to airfield within Southern England
-
BRING IT ON!! NEW PLANES NEW PLANES NEW PLANES NEW PLANES NEW PLANES!! :D :D
-
...
The first prototype (L6844) flew on 11 October 1938 with production starting early the next year. It exhibited excellent handling and was very easy to fly at all speeds. The only exception was landing, which was all too fast. Fowler flaps were added to correct this problem, which also required the horizontal stabilizer (tailplane) to be moved up, out of the way of the disturbed air flow when the flaps were down. Hopes were so high for the design that it remained "top secret" for much of its development, although it had already been mentioned in the French press.
...
Pretty plane. (I have a 1/72 scale model of it dangling from the ceiling over me as I type this.) "Teething problems" with the Peregrine engines were what held it back. Shame, really. Imagine what 11 Group might have done to the Luftwaffe bombers with these cannon-toting lovelies in the Summer of 1940?
-
Such a shame they never gave it the Merlin. I think it was the words first aircraft with a bubble canopy, the view from that cockpit was supposed to be superb. It was also the heaviest armed fighter in the world in its day.
-
And a dog to boot. Better off with a Beaufighter. lots more produced, lots more possibilities for use. Just as many cannons for those who need those kinda things :)
-
And a dog to boot. Better off with a Beaufighter. lots more produced, lots more possibilities for use. Just as many cannons for those who need those kinda things :)
pffftt... you are just bitter because someone found a prettier, betterer, brillianter twin than your peedirty8 :D
-
pffftt... you are just bitter because someone found a prettier, betterer, brillianter twin than your peedirty8 :D
P-L-E-A-S-E! Give me a break. :rolleyes: After seeing this picture how can you say THAT with a straight face.
(http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/2473/motivator8116439nn9.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
-
The Westland Whirland would just be an awsome aircraft to have. How many planes can you say had 4 cannons in 1940?? I can't really think of any. This plane would be an awesome perk ride for EW. It does fit the category for a perk ride with few produced and heavy gun package. All the other EW planes either have BBs or very slow firing low velocity cannons. This thing could tear anything up in the sky in EW, MW, and maybe hold a stronge spot in the LW. HTC bring on the Westland Whirlwind.
-
P-L-E-A-S-E! Give me a break. :rolleyes: After seeing this picture how can you say THAT with a straight face.
(http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/2473/motivator8116439nn9.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Is there a bit missing? There seems to be a gigantic hole in the middle?
-
cute aircraft, never knew it existed. I cant believe they scrapped all of them :( thats a beast for 1940 too :aok inspiration for the Meteor airframe maybe?
-
Such a shame they never gave it the Merlin.
That concept came to be after the war in the DH.103 Hornet. 472mph at 22k'. I wonder what the result of a duel between a Hornet and Tigercat (F7F) would be?
-
Yeah but the DH Hornet entered service in 1946? Imagine the effect a long range high performance twin would have had in 1940/41?
If anything, the 8th AF yanks would have benefitted with a long range escort able to escort them longer distances than the spits and early 47's, could have lowered their loss rate tremendously in the early/mid days.
-
(http://www.pilotfriend.com/photo_albums/images12/42.jpg)
Never heard of this one. How many were produced?
looks like a wierd 262 with props
-
(http://www.pilotfriend.com/photo_albums/images12/42.jpg)
Never heard of this one. How many were produced?
It looks like an Me-262 with out Jets :rolleyes:
-
Here's what the BBC says on the subject: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A10526177
And a few more images...
(http://www.military.cz/british/air/war/fighter/whirlwind/whirl_inflbw.jpg)
(http://www.jaapteeuwen.com/ww2aircraft/pictures/jpg/westland%20whirlwind%20I.jpg)
(http://1000aircraftphotos.com/APS/2115L.jpg)
(http://kits.kitreview.com/images/5_dia1.jpg)
-
Wow, that's a nasty little twin. I can see how people would whine about always taking engine hits tough! :D
-
Cool plane, that would make for a cool addition :aok
-
Landing gear must have been huge/long..engines mounted under the wings. Bring it on!
-
looks like a wierd 262 with props
what i was thinking
-
Landing gear must have been huge/long..engines mounted under the wings. Bring it on!
they used the engines as the wheel bays, so not really that big!
(http://www.pewteraircraft.com/RAF/WHIRLWIND/WHIRLWIND-bw.jpg)
Love the look on the cannons in the nose.
Philip J.R. Moyes notes in Aircraft in Profile 94: The Westland Whirlwind, “The basic feature of the Whirlwind was its concentration of firepower: its four closely-grouped heavy cannon in the nose had a rate of fire of 600 lb./minute – which, until the introduction of the Beaufighter, placed it ahead of any fighter in the world. Hand in hand with this dense firepower went a first-rate speed and climb performance, excellent manoeuvrablity and a fighting view hitherto unsurpassed. The Whirlwind was, in its day, faster than the Spitfire down low and, with lighter lateral control, was considered to be one of the nicest ‘twins’ ever built… From the flying viewpoint, the Whirlwind was considered magnificent.”
Bruce Robertson, in The Westland Whirlwind Described[3] quotes a 263 Squadron pilot as saying, "It was regarded with absolute confidence and affection.”
At low level, the aircraft was a devastating fighter-bomber, armed with both cannons and bombs, and it could hold its own with the Bf 109 at low-level. The performance of the Peregrine fell off at altitude, so the Whirlwind was used almost exclusively at low level.
The aircraft is well summed up by Francis K. Mason’s comments in Royal Air Force Fighters of World War Two, Vol. One:
“Bearing in mind the relatively small number of Whirlwinds that reached the RAF, the type remained in combat service, virtually unmodified, for a remarkably long time…The Whirlwind, once mastered, certainly shouldered extensive responsibilities and the two squadrons were called upon to attack enemy targets from one end of the Channel to the other, by day and night, moving from airfield to airfield within Southern England.
“In retrospect the lesson of the Whirlwind is clear… A radical aircraft requires either prolonged development or widespread service to exploit its concept and eliminate its weaknesses, Too often in World War II such aircraft suffered accelerated development or limited service, with the result that teething difficulties came to be regarded as permanent limitations.”
-
Good looking aircraft, Not as nice as the P-38, But good looking. :D Wouldn't mine trying it out in game.
Whirlwind Mk.I No. 263 Squadron RAF, Dieppe Raid Aug. 19, 1942
(http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/4124/ca463coverac3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Whirlwind Mk.I No. 137 Squadron RAF
(http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/955/whirlwindmk1of137squadrak0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
:salute
-
And a dog to boot...
I think you're wrong, Guppy. When introduced - in 1939 - the Whirlwind could match nearly *any* plane for speed (admittedly, only at low altitude due to the silly RR Peregrines it was saddled with) and certainly best all comers in terms of its armament. While the Whirlwind might not have been quite as nimble as some other planes due to its size and weight (I'll have to do some digging to find out the wing loading, power loading, etc.), by all pilot accounts it was possessed of "delightful" handling. About the only complaint that pilots had was about its relatively high landing speed.
-
Business end of Whirlwind:
(http://sierra-host.net/images/fa_18456s.jpg)
-
Some more:
(http://sierra-host.net/images/fa_18161s.jpg)
(http://sierra-host.net/images/fa_18162s.jpg)
(http://sierra-host.net/images/fa_18163s.jpg)
(http://sierra-host.net/images/fa_18164s.jpg)
(http://sierra-host.net/images/fa_18165s.jpg)
-
(http://sierra-host.net/images/fa_18180s.jpg)
(http://sierra-host.net/images/fa_18181s.jpg)
(http://sierra-host.net/images/fa_18182s.jpg)
-
the top photo with the 1/4 roll is fantastic :aok
-
marvelous pics
-
I know she is a Rare Bird - but would be kinda nice to have her in AH one day. :aok
Just Imagine...........
(http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/222/cwdtwesty37ls5.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3057/cwdtwesty36ek0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8707/cwdtwesty38ku9.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
:salute
-
(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4397/cwdtwesty11ia8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/8670/cwdtwesty09hl2.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
-
Business end of Whirlwind:
(http://sierra-host.net/images/fa_18456s.jpg)
hehe GET OUTTA THE WAY
i dont think i (or anyone else thats not a 2 weeker) would HO that
-
Might be right, but i would in my p39Q :D :rock
-
This would be fun to fly.
btw I think SAPP could use an RAF division.
-
Hmmm Jester is that FSX? Nice pics.
-
Hmmm Jester is that FSX? Nice pics.
Yea, believe so.
Whole set of screenies on the Whirlwind at this site: http://www.screenshotartist.co.uk/cwdt_westy.htm
:salute
-
Such a clean airframe for that time, look at the location of the radiators - reminiscent of the Mossie and Tempest II, or even the Hornet. Look how fast that was with decent engines ;)
(http://www.raf.mod.uk/downloads/wallpapers/1946_1949/hornet800.jpg)
-
Is that pic a Hornet or Sea Hornet Furball?
:salute
-
RAF Hornet, from: http://www.raf.mod.uk/downloads/1946_1949.cfm
-
I say bung it in the game the more the merrier.
-
Put the Whirlwind in, and include the Fairey Battle to even things up!
-
Even things up? That's your idea of evening things up hahah! Bring on the Me410! :rock
-
Even things up? That's your idea of evening things up hahah! Bring on the Me410! :rock
:aok ya baby ya
-
Even things up? That's your idea of evening things up hahah! Bring on the Me410! :rock
Umm... the Whirlwind was built in 1939 and became operational in mid-1940, while the 410 went operational in what, '44?
Hardly "even", IMHO.
-
The Westland Whirland would just be an awsome aircraft to have. How many planes can you say had 4 cannons in 1940?? I can't really think of any.
Operational sorties with the Mk I Beaufighter began in September 1940.
The Whirlwind would be a fun ride, and a big plus for the EW Arena, but the Beaufighter is a much more significant WWII aircraft: served in a huge range of roles, nearly 6000 produced, operational in every theatre.
My personal preference, if a Beaufighter were introduced, would be for the Australian-built Mk 21; but any of Mk I, Mk VI, Mk X would be good alternatives.
</hijack>