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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 1269.PDF
FLIGHT, 2 September 1955 383 Above, S-55 (Whirlwind) Power plant ... Pratt & Whitney Rotor diam. ...Fuselage length Gross weightCruising speed Watp R-1340 5gft41ft 8iin 7,500 lb90 m.p.h WESTLAND AIRCRAFT LIMITED Yeovi/, Somerset. Telephone: Yeovil 1100 Widgeon In this year's S.B.A.C. display it is proposed to introduce a new development of the S-51 series of helicopters known as the Widgeon. Principally it differs from the S-51 in having a completely re-designed nose and cabin. Like the S-51, however, it has the Alvis Leonides engine, though the rotor head is that of the S-55, which should confer greater stability and performance. All-up weight has been increased by 200 lb to 5,900 lb. Three versions of the Widgeon will be available. The first will be a passenger machine with accom- modation for a pilot and four passengers, one passenger being alongside the pilot, and the other three behind in individual seats (not a bench-type seat as at present used in the S-51). The second variant will be an ambulance to carry two stretcher cases, one above the other, and a seat will be provided for a medical attendant behind the pilot. The stretchers will be taken aboard through clam-shell doors, similar to those which give access to the engine in the S-55, a feature which will do away with the necessity for using external panniers, as in the past. The third version will be for rescue work, and will have a winch mounted on the starboard side, so that the pilot will be able to operate it himself, and see exactly what is going on, rather than depending upon a crewman as is necessary when the S-51 is used for rescue work. (On the S-51 the winch is positioned on the port side.) S-55 The newest version of the S-55 Whirlwind to be built for the Royal Navy is the Mk 5, with Alvis Leonides Major engine instead of the Pratt and Whitney Wasp or Wright Cyclone as in earlier machines. It is the intention of Westland Aircraft to standardize the Alvis power plant in the future, although the Wasp will still be available for those who desire it. The earlier versions of the Whirlwind are distinguished as follows: HAR.l, a development for the Royal Navy with Pratt and Whitney Wasp R-1340-40 engine, having an empty weight of 5,286 lb, a gross weight of 7,500 lb, a top speed of 110 m.p.h., and a range of 290 miles. HAR.2: similar to the HAR.l, but built for the R.A.F. and scheduled to operate with Coastal and Transport Command. HAR.3: a development for the Royal Navy having the Wright Cyclone R-1300-3 engine. HAR.4: powered with a Pratt and Whitney R-1340-57 engine with a 12:1 blower ratio, whereas the R-1340-40 has a 10:1 ratio. The HAR.4 is built for the RJV.F. and is operated in the Far East. For the Ministry of Supply a number of Below, S-51
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