I have acquired a brass plate from a SAAF-built Westland Wapiti which gives the Works number 587 and date 21-1-33.
The SAAF built 27 examples under licence from Westland Aircraft and appear to have had Westland-allocated Works numbers but all records I know of refer only to the SAAF tail numbers.
Sadly this plate gives no indication of the SAAF tail number … would there be a Wapiti production list which could help indicate the aircraft from which it came?
Thank you.
By: powerandpassion - 16th September 2024 at 11:27
From ‘In Southern Skies’ by John Illsley
By: powerandpassion - 16th September 2024 at 11:25
A great piece, brought to light. My understanding, from Australia, which only shares a common latitude, is that the Wapitis, Tutors and later Hartbees were assembled at Robert Heights Aircraft and Artillery Depot, (Zwartkop) near Pretoria. UK built Wapitis serials 601-604 (1929-30) were followed by serials 605-631 (1931). So your dataplate 587 in 1933 may relate to a rebuild. (SAAF serial numbers seem to jump around) Only SAAF records may illuminate this. If you can make a good connection at the SAAF Museum who can answer your question, please let me know!
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September 15, 2024 at 6:21 pm