Sorry to post this in here as it probably belongs in the photo section, but I attended Cosford again this year and my main draw was this, it might not have the public awareness of the likes of the Spitfire, but as a helicopter, to maintain and operate her she has to be one of the most complex and expensive.
As an ex Wessex engineer, the fact someone has put his money where his mouth is to maintain and operate her, my hat goes off to you, you made my show. She did a befitting and gentle display, something suitable to her age.
Simply Timeless Westland Whirlwind HAR10-1 by Tony Taylor, on Flickr
Simply Timeless Westland Whirlwind HAR10 by Tony Taylor, on Flickr
Simply Timeless Westland Whirlwind HAR10 by Tony Taylor, on Flickr
SUPERB
By: Kenneth - 13th June 2017 at 21:36
Fantastic effort, I wish the operators all possible success!
I saw a Whirlwind fly at the 1985 Shuttleworth Military Pageant, painted grey/blue/white in RAF colours. Is this the same aircraft, or is the one I saw the one J Boyle mentions further up, which crashed?
By: J Boyle - 13th June 2017 at 21:31
I’ve got to agree with the commentator about the S-55/H-19/Whirlwind being the first really useful military helicopter.
The WWII R-4/R-6 Hoverfly only had two seats and was basically good for training and observation uses.
The S-51/H-5/Dragonfly (and later Westland-unique Widgeon) was a bit better, but again only had limited space and power. I read where a way said the H-5G/ H when outfitted with a hoist and other rescue equipment had a useful load of “several verbal messages”. Nonetheless, the type did sterling work in Korea as an evacuation ship.
The small Bell 47/H-13/Sioux was the first CAA-approved helicopter, and was a popular civil type in utility and agricultural roles, to military operators it certainly proved its worth as a trainer, ambulance and observation type, but again was too small for other military uses.
The H-19/Whirlwind pioneered troop insertion, external lift and (limited ASW) functions in addition to its work as a rescue ship on both sides of the Atlantic and worldwide with the USAF Air Rescue Service. It even served early helicopter airline operators.
By: TonyT - 13th June 2017 at 21:17
Tony, they have a Facebook page, see
https://www.facebook.com/WhirlwindHarMark10/
I think they would love to hear from you 🙂
Other great news from them
Whirlwind is very excited to share with you her two new friends
2 Wessex Mark 5 helicopters will be joining her with the plan for full restoration to flying status for one of them
They are XT761 and XT771
Please feel free to share your experiences on these machines and we will be posting updates of her restoration
By: sycamore - 13th June 2017 at 20:57
Got about 1600 hrs on Whirlwinds,Mks3,7,9,and 10,and 85 different serials.Had 3 crashes,no injuries,a/c all rebuilt.Flew `729 on 17 Dec`81,the day after they were all officially grounded as I was the MTP and it needed an airtest finishing off. Glad to see she is still flying.A very safe,easy to fly aircraft,very capable within it`s limitations of speed and power/lifting ability…(yes,we would have liked UH1s instead,particularly in the Far East…) ..If anyone is interested in the WW`s `other `operational life ,then get `Borneo Boys` ,or `From Borneo to Lockerbie`,,from the `river` or local library.
Anyone know where `729` will be showing next,or based…?
Thanks Tony
By: Auster Fan - 13th June 2017 at 18:12
First helicopters I ever saw were Bristow Helicopters’ Whirlwind Series 3s on pontoons, based at North Denes, near Great Yarmouth, so they’ve always had a special fascination for me….
By: RedRedWine - 13th June 2017 at 13:44
The commentator described it as probably the first really useful helicopter, (thopugh his phrasing was much better than mine) because of the size of its cabin and the ability to carry casualties inside. For rotary enthusiasts I think RAF Cosford rather than the museum had a yellow Wessex on display. Apparently it was painted as a gate guard for a SAR base and then returned when they had the offer of a Sea King. I thopught it looked good.
By: Zac Yates - 13th June 2017 at 05:41
I saw photos on Facebook over the weekend and was pleasantly surprised as I’d had no idea a Whirlwind was flying on the UK airshow circuit. It must be a really neat thing for folk with memories of them in service to be able to see it!
By: J Boyle - 13th June 2017 at 05:28
One of my all time favorites.
The first helicopter I ever saw in person was a USAF ARS H-19….I was 4 years old and still remember it vividly.
In 1989, I sat in a privately owned ex-RAF Whirlwind owned by an American in the UK. I understand it was damaged in a rollover a short time later.
By: TonyT - 12th June 2017 at 23:21
Their fragile looks belied their inherent strength, it would fly when everything else was grounded and set out to sea on its missions of mercy powered by a single gnome engine, an engine that went on to power the replacement Wessex and its ultimate service replacement, the Sea King. Never worked on, nor flew in them, but as an engineer on its contemporary, it earned my respect and I was sad to see their passing.
By: AlanR - 12th June 2017 at 23:05
My earliest memory of a Whirlwind was back in about 1961. Coming back from a boat trip around Ramsey Island in S.Wales.
One came right over our small boat, very low, with the crew giving us a wave. From Brawdy I imagine ?
By: hunterxf382 - 12th June 2017 at 22:48
I totally agree Tony!
When I first saw this wonderful machine again in 2014 I felt a twinge of emotion that this old workhorse was flying again.
The owner has recently announced the purchase of two Wessex airframes as well, one to fly in the future, so any respect for his goal has just gone up another notch again!
I suspect he knows that his aircraft have a certain appeal, and I admre him fully for putting his money into this!
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June 12, 2017 at 10:17 pm