Back Westland "Whirlwind"
1959

Westland "Whirlwind"

The first S-55s received by the Royal Navy in 1950 were built by Sikorsky, but Westland acquired a license in 1950 and the first British-made S-55 flew at Yeovil in November 1952. Like the American models, the first Whirlwinds had Pratt & Whitney engines and were delivered to No.705 Squadron based at Gosport.

The RAF also ordered this helicopter for transport and rescue missions: the Whirlwind HAR Mk.2 (the same as the naval version except for some differences in equipment) joined the Transport and Coastal Command Units from 1955. With Wright R.1300 engines, the Whirlwind Mk.3 went into production for the Royal Navy in 1953 and operated for many years from both ship and shore bases. The subsequent RAF HAR Mk.4 version was modified for use in the tropics and fitted with a new variant of the Pratt & Whitney R-1340. It was used in Malaysia.

When Westland began producing the S-55, it specified that the American engine would be used until a more suitable British powerplant was available. To meet this requirement, Alvis developed a double radial called the Leonides Major, which delivered 882hp derated to 750hp. The re-engined Whirlwind flew in 1955. It was followed in 1956 by the Mk.7 version intended to replace the old Fairey Gannet antisubmarine aircraft.

Meanwhile, Westland had thought of adapting a turbine engine for the Whirlwind. The aircraft was first given a General Electric T.58 and then the more powerful D.H. Gnome turbine. The turbine-powered Whirlwind Series 3 flew in February 1959 and introduced a new nose profile which offered better visibility from the cockpit than the piston engine version. The Whirlwind could carry ten men or six stretchers, or a comparable load.

The RAF adopted the Whirlwind Mk.10 version in April 1960. More than 400 Whirlwinds were built, of which nearly 100 were exported to the following countries: Austria, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, France, Ghana, Jordan, Iran, Kuwait, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Yugoslavia.

G.Apostolo "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters", 1984

Westland "Whirlwind"

Westland obtained the licence to build the S-55 from Sikorsky in November 1950. The Series 1 and 2, powered respectively by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 or Wright R-1300 engine or the 755hp Alvis Leonides Major 755, were used for both civil and military work.

The turbine-powered S-55 made its first flight as the Whirlwind Series 3 in February 1959, powered by a General Electric T58. At the end of the year a Series 3 flew with a 1050shp Bristol Siddeley Gnorne free-turbine - the licence-built version of the T58.

Like the S-55, the Series 3 has a single door on the left side. The pilot and co-pilot sit above and behind the engine which places their cabin directly under the centreline of the main rotor. The rotor is hydraulically operated for both cyclic and collective pitch controls. Forward vision for landing was not ideal in earlier versions of the Whirlwind since the engine housing was in the nose. The turbine version was better since, though the nose was longer, it was at a more raked angle. Unlike the US turbine-powered S-55, the Whirlwind Series 3 has its engine exhaust on the left side almost immediately above the forward wheel, which can make cargo loading slightly hazardous if the engine is running or the exhaust hot. The turbine engine can be retrofitted to Series 1 and 2 machines.

The Whirlwind can carry up to ten passengers, six stretchers or a freight load. The Series 2 machines in service with BEA were fitted with floats as well as wheels for use off inland waterways. Few Whirlwinds are in civil use in the 1980s.

Bill Gunston "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Commercial Aircraft", 1980

Westland "Whirlwind"

FACTS AND FIGURES

- Westland built a total of 364 S-55s under licence between 1953 and 1966, including 68 WS-55 civil aircraft.

- Bristow Helicopters' Series 1s were used for 'flying crane' and oil rig support duties.

- British airline BEA used WS-55s between central London and Heathrow airport.

- Most turbine-powered WS-55 Series 3s were converted from piston-engined Series 1s and 2s.

- WS-55s were used from the 1950s in the Falkland Islands for whaling operations.

- In 1955 a Whirlwind on delivery was flown 5000km to the Persian Gulf.


Technical data for Westland "Whirlwind 3"

Crew: 2, passengers: 8-10, engine: 1 x Bristol Siddeley "Gnome" turboshaft, rated at 795kW, rotor diameter: 16.2m, length: 19.0m, height: 4.0m, take-off weight: 3629kg, empty weight: 2159kg, cruising speed: 167km/h, rate of climb: 6.1m/s, service ceiling: 4870m, range with max fuel: 834km, range with max payload: 174km, service ceiling: 4870m

Comments1-20 21-40
Lian Pasan, e-mail, 01.03.2024reply

I'm from Pa Umor, Bario where 1 of the Westland Whirlwind's HAR10 (S55-) XJ433 crashed during landing in 1964. I'm making effort to reorganise all that remain at the site as a preserved site for visitors to my village as part of a history of Pa Umor during the confrontation with Indonesia then. I have photographs of its current condition. I got here as trying to find more info about the helicopter. I guess I'll need more info for the narrative of the incident.

Lian Pasan, e-mail, 01.03.2024reply

I'm from Pa Umor, Bario where 1 of the Westland Whirlwind's HAR10 (S55-) XJ433 crashed during landing in 1964. I'm making effort to reorganise all that remain at the site as a preserved site for visitors to my village as part of a history of Pa Umor during the confrontation with Indonesia then. I have photographs of its current condition. I got here as trying to find more info about the helicopter. I guess I'll need more info for the narrative of the incident.

Paul Cornish, e-mail, 03.02.2024reply

Can anybody tell me the index number of the second Westland Whirlwind stationed at RAF Manston in 1959 /60 please?

I have been told that one was XS460 so I need the other one. I'm hoping to get two of the Corgi diecast models renumbered.

Thank you.
Paul.

Harry Lockhart, e-mail, 06.04.2023reply

I just discovered mention of Peter Bogue here, while looking for other things. I remember working with Peter, while we both were flying for Peregrine Air Services out of Aberdeen' and laughing at some of his adventures while he was in the RAF and later if I remember correctly, the shellfish trade.
Peter and I flew together on a few trips when the client required required that there should be two of us.
I also remember visiting Himself and Shirley at their home a little to the north of Dyce. Sadly we lost touch a couple of years after I left Peregrine.
A great guy and excellent company. Sad he's gone, and so long ago.

Chari Bogué, e-mail, 17.02.2024 Harry Lockhart

Hi Harry,

I've just come across your post.
Chris remembers dad talking about Peregrine and he flew with dad a couple of times when he was on leave.
Dad always talked about Peregrine and certainly about you and Bill Porteous, who we still have contact with.
We are just watching a programme about the Big Freeze of 1962-1963 in the hope that we would see dad flying helicopters as we remember dad talking about it.
We hope that you are well.

Chari and Chris Bogué

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Martha Pote, e-mail, 24.02.2023reply

Ik wil alleen mijn getuigenis hier delen. Mijn naam is Martha Pote. Ik wil God alle eer geven voor het brengen van Dr. Ige Ajayi om mij te helpen mijn huwelijk te herstellen. Ik hou heel veel van mijn man, hij is van me gescheiden vanwege een andere vrouw. ik bad en huilde maar op geen enkele manier. Op een dag was ik gewoon op internet aan het zoeken en kwam ik een spell caster tegen (Dr. Ige Ajayi). Ik geloofde nooit eerder in spellcasting, maar iets in mij zei dat ik het eens moest proberen. Ik nam contact met hem op en hij vertelde me dat alles goed komt dat mijn man me binnen 48 uur zal bellen en zijn excuses zal aanbieden. ik dacht dat het een grap was. zie, voor de 48 uur belde mijn man me en begon me alles te verontschuldigen. daarom wil ik deze getuigenis hier delen, ik weet dat velen veel doormaken in hun huwelijk, wees niet verlegen om hulp te zoeken. Dr. Ige Ajayi kan u in elk geval bijstaan. Neem nu contact met hem op. E-mail: drigeajayi@gmail.com /WhatsApp: +2348130035939..

Kevin Christie, e-mail, 19.04.2022reply

I remember falling out of these on exercise in Thetford army training ground. Did it a few times. Noisy but fun at the time,

John Stubbert, e-mail, 01.06.2020reply

I had many happy hours in these aircraft. I was Photographer, RAF. I had trips in GB, Cyprus, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Happy days!

Rolie James, e-mail, 28.01.2018reply

First flew Wirlwind HAR 10 during my flying training at Tern Hill in 1971! On course completion l was posted to Odiham and was the first, first tourist to fly the Puma helicopter. After 5 years on the Puma, I was posted to the UN at Nicosia to fly the Wirlwind 10! Whilst the Puma was a fabulous helicopter, the Wirlwind was more fun! After the QHI course and a posting to Oman, I was fortunate to fly Bell 205, 212 and 214, but the Whirlwind 10 was 'still in my system!'. I was fortunate to fly it again in UK and Cyprus. I retired from flying this year, aged 70 years!

Bob Cowell, e-mail, 10.12.2017reply

I can always remember the 103 sqn whirlwind helicopters based at RAF Tengah in the early seventies which were camouflaged. Back in the mid sixties to early seventies , I'm led to believe at RAAF Butterworth , there was at least one Whirlwind Har10 I think was a yellow Raf rescue helicopter, does anybody remember or ever seen these whirlwinds at Butterworth?

Steve Lister, e-mail, 15.09.2017reply

The article states that the single cabin door was on the LHS of the fuselage & the jet exhaust made loading hazardous??? The door was on the RHS of the fuselage. If this has already been pointed out I missed it

Regards Steve

Darrell Drury, e-mail, 30.09.2016reply

Hi, I work with British Forces Postal Service. We produce commemorative covers for Forces charities. We are producing a commemorative cover for the 60th Ann, of Op Musketeer. Based on the first helicopter troop landings. We are desperately short of an image showing 45 Commando troops be flown in by the Wessex Whirlwind helicopter. There are a couple on the internet but they do have IWM copyright. I would be grateful if you could email me if you can help us out. Kind regards, Darrell

John Eaves, 11.07.2016reply

I have read with interest the e-mail from Bob Cowell regarding the Mirage crash July 1972. I was one of the crewmen (M.A.L.M.) involved in that incident and spent many sorties to and fro the incident site. I spent just over 5 years on whirlwinds (mks 7 and 10)based at Boscombe Down, Changi and Tengah. Fond but distant memories. Went on to Wessex mk 2 at Odiham but not quite the same.

Vic, e-mail, 21.11.2015reply

I served with the 1st and 2nd Royal Australian Regiment [Infantry]in Malaya 1959-63 and recollect the Battalion being airlifted from an LZ by Whirlwinds off the H.M.S. Ark Royal, it turned out as I remember to be a bit of a shambles with a good number of the aircraft [which I was told were veterans of the Suez crisis in 56] failing to fulfill the requirement to lift troops, something to do with air density ? tropical conditions ? don't know only a "grunt"

Mac McConnell-Wood, e-mail, 27.05.2015reply

Hello Damian Waters,
Yes- I remember your Grandfather -I was with the Joint Helicopter Unit on the Suez op. Flew from HMS Theseus-trained on HMS Ocean.
First attempt to get the choppers decked and stowed prompted Commander Air to announce over the tannoy Happy days! "Get those B..things stowed or we'll be in Paris in 5 minutes"...Oh how we chortled !

Damian Waters, e-mail, 24.02.2023 Mac McConnell-Wood

Hi Mac, would love to chat to you about my grandfather Roy Victor Waters. Just saw your reply to my post. Regards Damian Waters

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Mac McConnell-Wood, e-mail, 27.05.2015reply

McConnell-Wood...Just found this blog. I was a crewman at Butterworth '59 -'61. Remember picking up an Aussie Sabre pilot who'd ejected over light ulu-and we trecked in from a nearby paddy to get him....Also remember fixing a hydraulic snag with the help of aboriginals, who operated the test rig from the deck, while I was bleeding the system from the top--all done by sign language.!These guys looked primitive , but they were intelligent enough to figure out what I was trying to explain!...Happy days!

Mac McConnell-Wood, e-mail, 27.05.2015reply

McConnell-Wood...Just found this blog. I was a crewman at Butterworth '59 -'61. Remember picking up an Aussie Sabre pilot who'd ejected over light ulu-and we trecked in from a nearby paddy to get him....Also remember fixing a hydraulic snag with the help of aboriginals, who operated the test rig from the deck, while I was bleeding the system from the top--all done by sign language.!These guys looked primitive , but they were intelligent enough to figure out what I was trying to explain!...Happy days!

Damian Waters, e-mail, 15.01.2013reply

Hi, my grandfather Major Roy Victor Waters served in the British Army Air Corp. He flew the Whirlwind in the Suez crisis of the HMS Theseus. Looking for anyone who knew or served with him.

MR C E WATERS, e-mail, 13.02.2023 Damian Waters

Hi Damian,
I remember your grandfather.
I served from Feb 56 to Dec 59 at RAF Middle wallop.
The unit was officially the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit (JEHU) but the Experimental was dropped from the title just for the Suez campaign

reply

Anonymous, 13.02.2023 Damian Waters

Hi Damian,
I remember your grandfather.
I served from Feb 56 to Dec 59 at RAF Middle wallop.
The unit was officially the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit (JEHU) but the Experimental was dropped from the title just for the Suez campaign

reply

Anonymous, 13.02.2023 Damian Waters

Hi Damian,
I remember your grandfather.
I served from Feb 56 to Dec 59 at RAF Middle wallop.
The unit was officially the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit (JEHU) but the Experimental was dropped from the title just for the Suez campaign

reply

Damian Waters, e-mail, 24.02.2023 MR C E WATERS

Hi, would love to chat. Regards, Damian

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Damian Waters, e-mail, 24.02.2023 MR C E WATERS

Hi, would love to email you about that time if that would ok. regards, Damian

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Damian Waters, e-mail, 24.02.2023 MR C E WATERS

Hi, would love to email you about that time if that would ok. regards, Damian

reply

Bob Cowell, e-mail, 13.01.2013reply

I was on attachment at RAF Tengah in the early seventies from RAAF Butterworth. On 06Jul72 We had an inflight fire on RAAF Mirage A3-98. Pilot F /O John Kindler ejected safely, aircraft crashed 30nm n /w of RAF Tengah near Johore Bahru. One of 103 SQNS Whirlwinds HAR10's rescued pilot and brought him safely back to Tengah . I can always remember the squeaking of the wheels as the whirlwind taxied up to our 3Sqn flt line as F /O Kindler happily
jumped from the aircraft still with the ejection seat handle in his hand. The Whirlwinds from 103 sqn also transported us to the crash site over several more days after. Is there any way of finding out those Whirlwind HAR10 serial numbers that 103SQN had on strengh at Tengah at that time. Regards Bob Cowell.

aaron dengate, e-mail, 10.09.2013reply

i know that whirlwinds were based at raf manston betwwen 1961-1974 and xj763 g-bkha attnded the airshow here in 1986

Jeff Morris, e-mail, 13.02.2013reply

Recognize a couple of names there; I too was a crewman on 103 /110 Squadron based at Labuan from May 1964 to May 1965 and spent a fair bit of time at Bario (Y10). Start of a long flying career!

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