Westland Wyvern

[sideshowbob9]

Does anyone else find the humpback look of the Wyvern is more than a little reminiscient of a couple of Grumman fighters, namely the XP-50 and the F8F? I've been musing about putting a R-4360 into the "sleeve" (saving those awesome props and spinner for something else) and creating a F8F alternative.

I'd probably change the tail. The exhausts can stay in for dual VDTs. It would certainly give the F8B and A-1 a run for their money!

Any thoughts gentlemen?

[Jschmus]

If you could work out a way to fit it with twin engines (mounted on the wings), then the nose would be clear for a massive cannon armament.

[deathjester]

If you could work out a way to fit it with twin engines (mounted on the wings), then the nose would be clear for a massive cannon armament.

Give it V-22 Osprey style wingtip engines, and a HUGEMONGOUS rotary cannon with streamlined barrel holder (think SNEB rocket pod)

[famvburg]

      I imagine the performance with an R-4360 would be about the same as the original Eagle powered version.

Does anyone else find the humpback look of the Wyvern is more than a little reminiscient of a couple of Grumman fighters, namely the XP-50 and the F8F? I've been musing about putting a R-4360 into the "sleeve" (saving those awesome props and spinner for something else) and creating a F8F alternative.

I'd probably change the tail. The exhausts can stay in for dual VDTs. It would certainly give the F8B and A-1 a run for their money!

Any thoughts gentlemen?

[KiwiZac]

What're everyone's views on an R-3350-engined Wyvern? On paper the Skyraider has less HP but the wing is bigger, so perhaps its engine could work well in the Wyvern? I envisage a re-engined Wyvern as being a real mud-mover, so the greater speed offered by the Python wouldn't be needed.

[pyro-manic]

Close-cowled and with a spinner (Sea Fury style), I think it'd look pretty good. Might be tricky re-contouring the fuselage to fit a big cowling, though....?

[zenrat]

Planning my second Wyvern (I cut back the extended nose on the Magpie one BTW - I couldn't get on with it).

I'm thinking mid to late fifties RAF interceptor.  NMF with colourfull paint (think early Lightnings), HUUUUUUUUGGGGEEEEEE RATO units (I have a pair of Il 28 units - they should do the trick) and a pair of Firestreaks.
The back story will involve some contrived reason why jet engines were not an option and so a turboprop interceptor was required.  Maybe overseas engine manufacturers patented all aspects of jet design and refused to licence them or sell them abroad?

[Librarian]

In my happy, fluffy bunny whif-world the world's airforces rightfully came to the conclusion that jets might initially have been advantageous but would become like nukes....expensive monstrosities that really offer no advantage when everyone's got 'em....so they all stuck to reciprocating engines.

Yeah yeah...I know its more complicated than that but its my world...any excuse to stick to props. Jets suck, literally

[Weaver]

So Hush-Kit's at it again, with another what-if modelling contest on Twitter, this time based on the Wyvern:

Aircraft modellers: competition time! Brief: make the craziest most
imaginative model based on a Westland Wyvern. The 10 best will be
featured in an article, top 5 will receive prizes. Remember: imagination and
eccentricity will be rewarded. Deadline 16/12/22. Share images here

And the Twitter thread wherein the images should be shared is here:
https://twitter.com/Hush_Kit/status/1581942634809298944?s=20&t=-3W5bqXZ5jqGqtVHUbT26A

Just to be clear, he's said in a follow-up post that it only has to be INSPIRED by the Wyvern, not literally based on a Wyvern kit, which a number of people have pointed out are not exactly thick on the ground at the moment.

If you're not on Twitter but you fancy giving it a go, I'll be happy to post the pics up for you. Just drop me a DM.

[AeroplaneDriver]

Ooooo!!

[zenrat]

Hmmmmm.

Westland Wyvern F.1A  3 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[NARSES2]

   To the pair of those

[Zero-Sen]

[NARSES2]

Tophe will love that, as do I 

Looks far more attractive than the real Wyvern as well 

[Old Wombat]

Apart from the weird cockpit pod, I rather like this!