Westland Whirlwind

[MK-84]

It's kinda reminds me of a Mossie's Minime...+1 again, I want this almost as bad as the meteor.

[Seadog36]

What's up with the 1/2 black underbelly on some spits and the whirlwind? Never got that story...

[RTHolmes]

it was an early version of the invasion stripes used by the allies later in the war.

[JUGgler]

 




JUGgler

[Reaper90]

 

"Dear God, please send down the Westland Whirlwind to Aces High, and cure cancer, and end hunger, and stop the wars, and lots of other important stuff....  but give us the Whirlwind first, m'kay? Please?"

 

[nrshida]

I have some more information from the pilot's manual which I will post shortly 

[Reaper90]

Hey shida, you have this book?



EXCELLENT resource, tons of pilot reports and detailed info on every single whirlwind produced, from date built to each and every one's final fate.

[nrshida]

No I'm afraid I don't have that book. I'm a bit strapped at the moment with materials for my course. I'd love to see some snippets though if you feel inclined to share with us fellow Crikey fans  



Some interesting information from the Pilot's Manual regarding the flap and slats, the operation of which had been somewhat of a mystery until now:-





Interconnection of Fowler flap, root slats and radiator shutters

   6.   These components are interconnected and cannot be operated separately; the movement of the Fowler flap automatically controls the others,


   8.   It should be noted that, unlike most present hydraulic flap controls the movement of the flap is progressive with the movement of the flap control lever.


   18.   The root slats are hydraulically operated and controlled by the movement of the flap. The root slats are closed whilst the flap is up but when the flap is lowered to the take-off position a trip lever operates the hydraulic valve for the slat jacks and the slats are immediately fully opened. They will remain fully open during any further movement of the flap but will close again when the flap moves up past the quarter-travel position...


   19.   The outer slats are entirely automatic in operation.



Important. -    The aeroplane should not be flown above certain speeds with the flaps depressed. It should be remembered that setting the radiator shutters for maximum cooling also depresses the flaps, so the aeroplane must not be flown at very high speeds in maximum cooling position. The maximum permissible speeds for various flap positions are as follows:-

(a)   Flaps depressed about 10⁰, to give maximum cooling position of radiator shutters - 300 m.p.h. A.S.I.

(b)   Flap depressed half-way - 200 m.p.h. A.S.I.

(c)   Flap fully down for landing - 160  m.p.h. A.S.I.






I was encouraged by the reasonably high speeds the flaps can be deployed at, and that the operation of the flap also operates the inner slat, so it is a little bit like a mini airliner when it comes to high lift devices.

Also that the outer wing slats were automatic in operation just like the 109 (Handley-Page design). Presumably fitted for the same reason as the 109.


I'm definitely viewing the Whirly now more as the illegitimate love child of a back-alley rendezvous betwixt C Hog and Mosquito.  

[danny76]

Much prettier than its younger namesake as well 

[Charge]

"What's up with the 1/2 black underbelly on some spits and the whirlwind?"

When mostly operating above friendly skies in interception role it is easier for flak directors to detect friend from foe. I.e. the same reason why later on the airfield cover 190-D9s had the red striped underbelly.

-C+

[JOACH1M]

More tater food  

[nrshida]

Just keep climbing young Jo. Four Hispanos mounted in the nose, less than 12 inches apart, tends to negate an awful lot of excess power 

What is the longest Aces High Mosquito shot on record by the way?

[Fish42]

(a)   Flaps depressed about 10⁰, to give maximum cooling position of radiator shutters - 300 m.p.h. A.S.I.

(b)   Flap depressed half-way - 200 m.p.h. A.S.I.

(c)   Flap fully down for landing - 160  m.p.h. A.S.I.

Wow, those flap speeds could make this even more fun then I was thinking.

[Karnak]

What is the longest Aces High Mosquito shot on record by the way?

Dunno what the longest is, but I've downed a fleeing P-51D at about 1000 yards.  I don't think I'd have taken that shot in a Whirlwind though as it doesn't have the Mosquito's ammo load.

[nrshida]

Wow, those flap speeds could make this even more fun then I was thinking.

Yup. Don't forget about the slats too, almost the Grumman Tomcat of its day   Well, we can dream can't we  

I figure the ability to drop that Fowler flap and slats at a medium speed, plus the very long reaching armament and excellent energy retention might compensate for the mediocre climb rate. What do you reckon?

Dunno what the longest is, but I've downed a fleeing P-51D at about 1000 yards.  I don't think I'd have taken that shot in a Whirlwind though as it doesn't have the Mosquito's ammo load.

Do we know what the maximum range of the Hispano is as modelled in game? I heard some rounds cease to exist after a certain distance. I've also snipped a P-51D wing off with a P-39's 37-mm once at 1000 yards indicated. Was the last round too. He was also fleeing. Strange  



I was wondering if some of you fellow fans of the Westland Whirlwind might consider appending this to your signatures to show support (and naturally display your fine taste in aircraft  ). It's mixed black and white to reflect the underside paint job:-


(center))Westland Whirlwind(color=white) Appreciation Society(/color)(/center)


Just replace each curved bracket with its equivalent square one to get this:-

Westland Whirlwind Appreciation Society