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Aviation History
1960
1960 - 0712.PDF
712 FLIGHT, 27 May I960 Westland Whirlwind (Leonides Major) Westland Whirlwind (Gnomei HELICOPTERS OF THE WORLD tional fuel can be carried for long-rangemissions. Alternatively, for the same pay- load, the performance of the aircraft isimproved. Lower blade loadings make handling easier and higher maximum for-ward speeds are possible before blade-stall is encountered. Also possible are highervertical rates of climb, and performance is enhanced both at high ambient tempera-tures at sea level and at altitude. For use in tropical conditions engine cooling is notso critical as with the earlier piston units, and the transmission system is simplifiedbecause the free turbine does not require a clutch. • Equipped weight, 4,7611b; gross weight,8,0001b; hovering ceiling without ground effect, 7,500ft; max permissible speed (theoretical),126 m.p.h. Widgeon Powered with an AlvisLeonides ill 12, the Widgeon continues to be offered for public transport with pilot,four passengers and luggage; pilot training with side-by-side seating and full dualcontrol; ambulance work, carrying two stretchers internally and medical attendant;search and rescue, using detachable hydraulically operated winch capable oflifting two people simultaneously; freight transport, with jettisonable sling for exter-nal loads of 1,0001b; spraying and dusting for pest control and crop culture; anti-sub- marine detection, using detachable pack unit containing sonar gear; police and coastguard patrol, using loud-hailer unit; and waterborne operations, using floats. • Rotor diam, 49ft; fuselage length, 41ft;empty weight, 4,3221b; gross weight, 5,9001b; economic cruising speed, 80 m.p.h.; hoveringceiling with 10ft wheel clearance in ground effect, 6,170ft; range at economic cruising speedwith standard tanks, 260 n.m. Westminster Two prototypes of theWestminster are now flying with a view to proving the characteristics of machines ofthis type in the heavy-duty role. Both are powered with two Napier Eland gas tur-bines, driving a five-blade rotor. The design provides for the carriage of loadsexternally, although it is possible to dis- pose internally as well where shape andsize permits. Investigations have shown, however, that for crane duties and for manytransportation duties over distances up to 100 n.m. freight and equipment are bestcarried externally. Of the military applications the makers state: — "With a disposable load of some 14,0001bthe Westminster meets the requirements for a large military transport helicopter able to carryheavy field equipment, atomic and nuclear weapons and troops over stages of 150 n.m.or more. Provision exists for the attachment of lightweight panels to enclose sections of theopen framework fuselage where this is desir- able for certain roles such as troop carrying.Operating at an all-up weight of 36,0001b and with sufficient fuel for 30min hovering, theWestminster will lift a load of 12,7001b. Over short stages of 100 n.m., say, from beach-headsor off-shore bases to assault or supply areas, a payload of some 11,2001b can be transportedflying on two engines at a modest cruising speed of 80kt. This range could, however, be in-creased by some 30 per cent if flying were restricted to one engine only. With sections ofthe fuselage enclosed it is possible to transport 51 fully equipped troops within the fuselage." In addition to trooping, the Westminstercould operate in the weapon-supply role, for the transport and recovery of vehicles,and as a mobile-unit transporter. In the latter connection units such as living huts,emergency hospital wards, fitted kitchens, vehicle servicing units, decontaminationcentres and operations control centres could easily be slung beneath the aircraft. • Rotor diam, 72ft; overall length, 89ft 3in;basic weight, 21,6001b; normal gross weight, 36,0001b; cruising speed, 115 m.p.h.; maxrange, 180 n.m.; vertical rate of climb (two engines at 86 m.p.h.), l,900ft/min. Rotodyne Powered, in its present form,with Napier Elands, the Rotodyne will, in its enlarged production version, be enginedwith Rolls-Royce Tynes. It has the capabi- lities both of a helicopter and a fixed-wingaircraft and main features of both, namely, a rotor and a fixed wing with tractor pro-pellers. The rotor is of the torqueless type, being driven by pressure jets at the tips ofthe blades. This eliminates mechanical transmission and the need for an anti-torque tail rotor. Directional control is achieved by differential propeller pitch atlow speeds, and by air rudders at high speeds. To overcome aerodynamic limita- Below, Westland (Fairey) Rotodyne Right, the two Westland Westminster prototypes (one transporting a bridge)
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