Westland Whirlpool (Other white goods providers are available)

[NARSES2]

We really need an smiley face sticking it's tongue out  Or did the England Rugby Team just do that 

Here we go

Westland Whirlpool Proof of Concept Test Aircraft

Air Ministry Specification N11/44 for a long range naval strike fighter was written around a Westland proposal that would eventually become the Wyvern. However whilst the original proposal for the Wyvern envisaged an engine located behind the pilot in order to provide him with the best landing view possible, the propeller would still be mounted at the front of the aircraft. At the same time Westland proposed a far more radical approach whereby the propeller would be mounted behind the pilot, in a mid-fuselage position. This would allow both the provision of a good view for the pilot and a heavy nose mounted armament.

This was just a step to far for the Ministry however and Westlands were ordered to proceed with what would eventually after many a travail become the Wyvern. There was still some muttering along the lines of "I wonder ?" to be heard coming from the Ministry however and in early 1945 Westlands were given a contract for a "proof of concept airframe" that should be built as cheaply as possible, but which should still be able to carry out all of the testing required.

So by using an old Whirlwind airframe and a spare Peregrine engine that "just happened to be lying about the place" Westlands were able to quite quickly build the airframe that was to become known as the Whirlpool. Initial tests at Yeovil showed that it was seriously underpowered, which had been expected, but also that when it did at least get airborne there were serious engine cooling problems. But it did fly, and as one engineer half joked "in the right direction as well". 

After 3 initial flights at Yeovil the Whirlpool was sent to Farnborough for farther testing. It is thought that the aircraft made another couple of flights at Farnborough, but interest was on the wan as the War had come to an end by now and also it was obvious to everyone that the jet engine was the way forward. So the contract was cancelled and she was returned to Yeovil. Here she was used as a test bed for engineers investigating engine cooling problems, she was the perfect subject after all, and also graced many a Westlands Family Open Day as a static display where she always drew large admiring crowds. It has always been rumoured that it was from one of these open days that reports were sent to Moscow which eventually ended up with the Sukhoi Bureau wasting rather a lot of time and money in trying to replicate this new British advance. So she did her bit.

[Old Wombat]

Hmmm?

With only one engine she looks decidedly underpowered, I'm afraid, Chris.


Apart from that, she looks very good!

[PR19_Kit]

A truly MAGNIFICENT tour de force Chris! 

I love it to bits, and the underside shot in yellow is the business!

Such a pity you didn't quite make the end of the GB as the Whirlpool would surly have been a major contender.

[zenrat]

It's certainly slimmer than the Wyvern.
Might it not be a bit tail heavy?
Looks good though.  Nice mix of colours.

[Tophe]

 
Marvelous!
It was worth waiting with such an extraordinary result!

[loupgarou]

Weird model!  Very perverted thinking behind it, congratulations.
I have never understood how in this kind of engine/propeller arrangement the tail can be refrained from turning with the propeller. 

[Tophe]

Hmmm?
With only one engine she looks decidedly underpowered, I'm afraid, Chris.

Don't worry (about Westland engineers' talent): there is an explanation.
The Whirlpool might be a first step before the final Twirlpool having 2 engines (below):

[TomZ]

Great idea and wonderful execution!
I love it!!!!

TomZ

[chrisonord]

Cool  build  Chris,  and very different from the norm
Chris

[JayBee]

Brilliant concept and build Chris. 

[kerick]

Looks like Brit '46 instead of Luft '46! Great work on a wild idea!
Tophe, you are a lovable madman!

[zenrat]

Hmmm?
With only one engine she looks decidedly underpowered, I'm afraid, Chris.

Don't worry (about Westland engineers' talent): there is an explanation.
The Whirlpool might be a first step before the final Twirlpool having 2 engines (below):

Twirlpool?  Or Whirlpool Twin Tub?...

[kitbasher]

 
Very similar to the Lockheed Lawnmower.

[NARSES2]

With only one engine she looks decidedly underpowered, I'm afraid, Chris.

Very much so, especially on a single Peregrin, indeed I've alluded to it slightly in the backstory. But she was only built to see if the concept would actually work and any production type would have been way bigger with a much bigger engine. 

[NARSES2]

Weird model!  Very perverted thinking behind it, congratulations.
I have never understood how in this kind of engine/propeller arrangement the tail can be refrained from turning with the propeller. 

I'll take that as a compliment  The engineering solutions to such an arrangement would certainly add to the complexities of the thing. The German's, Henschel in particular, had quite a few "designs" using this arrangement.

It's certainly slimmer than the Wyvern.
Might it not be a bit tail heavy?
Looks good though.  Nice mix of colours.

That's why she has a reinforced tail wheel leg Any production aircraft would have had a nose-wheel undercarriage arrangement

Thanks lads. Appreciated