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Westland Whirlwind HAS.7
History
The Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 was designed to be used as a search and rescue, and an anti-submarine warfare unit. In the 1950s Westland purchased the rights to manufacture the Sikorsky S-55 helicopter under license, the Whirlwind company started with the S-55 as a base modifying it into the aircraft we now call the Westland Whirlwind.
Prior to the HAS.7 model the Whirlwind was used solely for search and rescue missions, compared to its now anti-submarine warfare units, the Whirlwind HAS.7 was quite limited in its carrying capacity like the original Sikorsky S-55 helicopter. The HAS.7 has only one hardpoint so it can carry either the dipping sonar detection system or a torpedo, not both, this is why the HAS.7’s worked in teams.
The original Whirlwind helicopters were powered by a Wright R-1300-3 Cyclone 7 cylinder engine, producing 700 hp (522 kW). The later HAS.7 model had an upgraded Alvis Leonides Major 755/1, 14 cylinder engine, producing 780 hp (580 kW).
The Westland Whirlwind was also lucky enough to make it’s TV appearance as a recuring character “Harold” in the Thomas the Tank Engine series. It is believed that Harold was a RAF aircraft before joining Sodor’s Search and Rescue team, due to his highly-alert “on patrol” attitude and the use of the terms “wizard” and “old chap” in his conversations.
Operational History
The Westland Whirlwind models were only ever used for search and rescue roles prior to the HAS.7 model, the HAS.7 was the first helicopter designed for both search and rescue, and anti-submarine warfare. The Westland Whirlwind HAS.7’s would work in pairs one carrying the dipping sonar detection system “a hunter”, and another to carry either a Mark 30 or 44 torpedo “a killer”.
The Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 first entered service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1957. A camouflaged Royal Air Force Westland Whirlwind took part in Operation Eagle Swoop along the Malaysian-Thai border collecting members of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
Specifications
General characteristics
• Class: Helicopter
• Crew: 2
• Production: 89 (HAS.7 total)
• Length: 12.71 m (41 ft 8.5 in)
• Height: 4.76 m (15 ft 7.5 in)
• Empty weight: 2,531 kg (5,580 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 3,538 kg (7,800 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Alvis Leonides Major 755/1, 14 cylinder radial
• Power: 580 kW (780 hp)
Performance
• Maximum speed: 180 km/h (112 mph, 97 kn)
• Cruise speed: 138 km/h (86 mph, 75 kn)
• Range: 534 km (334 mi, 290 nmi) (internal fuel)
• Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 4.6 m/s (910 ft/min)
Armaments
Guns: None
Hardpoints = 1, with provisions to carry combinations of:
- 1 x homing-torpedo (Mark 30), 646 lb (293 kg)
- 1 x homing-torpedo (Mark 44), 432 lb (196 kg)
- 1 x Dipping sonar detection system
- Depth Charges
In game
The Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 could help with introducing some players to helicopters, being an early helicopter it would be an interesting first choice. The Whirlwind HAS.7 shows the evolution of helicopter design. Its tier would be interesting too, its possible a new rank for helicopters could appear for really old helicopters. Rank 4 or 5, of Britian’s aviation tech tree.
The new rank 4 would feature the earliest and oldest of military armed helicopters and autogyros from the interwar to WWII time period.
Photos
Sources
Westland Whirlwind (helicopter) - Wikipedia
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/70000230
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1015781
Westland Whirlwind (helicopter) | Military Wiki | Fandom
https://www.helis.com/database/model/Westland-Whirlwind/
Thanks for reading :)