Westland Whirlwind

The Rat · September 26, 2005, 03:21:27 PM

I was reading a review of the Airfix Westland Whirlwind today, and had one of those whiff moments. I see either those awful RR Peregrines getting improved, or Merlins or Griffons fitted, and the resultant aircraft being navalised and carrying 2 torpedos. I would probably add leading edge slats to improve the low speed handling, might need to beef up the landing gear, add an arrestor hook of course.

Anyone know the weight of the torpedo carried by contemporary aircraft such as the Swordfish? I feel the Whirlwind could probably handle two, but I would rather be sure.

Jeffry Fontaine · September 26, 2005, 04:58:56 PM

Rat san;

Most of the torpedos carried by aircraft for surface ship attack weighed somewhere betweeen 1500 pound (~800 kg) to 2200 pounds (1000 kg). If the Whirlwind was capable of lifting a 2000 pound bomb load then you should be able to create a torpedo bomber variant.

Keep in mind that the Sea Mosquito was rigged to carry an 18.0'' torpedo externally beneath the bomb bay so if you are looking for inspiration on how to strap one on, use the Sea Mosquito as an example.

The American Mk 13 Torpedo weighed approximately 2000 pounds (900 kg).

Gary · September 26, 2005, 05:22:35 PM

The Beaufighter carried a 728 kilo 18" torpedo. I dunno the weight of the SeaMossie's sausage, but I imagine it were similar.

It's the same one used by the Sea Typhoon.

The Rat · September 26, 2005, 08:30:21 PM

Hmmm... a wee bit heavier than I thought, perhaps it will just carry one. The genuine article was known to occasionally haul two 500lb bombs, so it should carry a torpedo easily. And since it would be operating off a carrier it would need to shorten the take-off run.

I remember the Sea Typhoon, and gushed over it at the time, but let me say it again - lovely! Don't think I've seen your Hellcat before Ollie, but she's a beauty too!

Belly up to the bar lads, you've both earned a round!

Oh, by the way, what torpedos did you guys use, if they're 1/72nd that is?

NARSES2 · September 27, 2005, 03:42:11 AM

Martin H is your Whirlwind man he has a whole string of them including a Merlin engined Sea Whirlwind complete with torp in BPF markings

Chris

lancer · September 27, 2005, 05:33:31 AM

I'm thinking of doing a Whilrwind with Merlin engines as part of Coastal command. Single seat anti shipping/strike fighter. Torp or rockets along with the 4 20mm's would pack a hell of a punch. It'd also make a decent night intruder I think.

Martin H · September 27, 2005, 02:59:45 PM

QuoteI'm thinking of doing a Whilrwind with Merlin engines as part of Coastal command. Single seat anti shipping/strike fighter. Torp or rockets along with the 4 20mm's would pack a hell of a punch. It'd also make a decent night intruder I think.

Sounds like a fully booted and suited Mk-2 Lance.

had it been developed the Mk-2 would have replaced the Pergrins with Merlins and the fuel system would have been re jigged to allow fuel tranfer between left and right tanks., plus drop tank caperble pylons, may well have be able to do berlin and back, way before the P-51 showed up to play. the Banff wing might have looked a bit differnt had the 2 come to pass.

Leigh · September 27, 2005, 04:35:00 PM

Quotesorry Ratty, I have a habit of doing that........just ask wooksta

Yeah you do, I was just thinking "mmm nice idea and something to do with all my FAA far east decals" and up pops the picture.
Lovely Windy by the way

Guess I'll just have to go gloss sea blue and Stars and Bars

The Rat · September 27, 2005, 07:22:29 PM

Quotesorry Ratty, I have a habit of doing that........just ask wooksta

Ah well, at least you did the old gal proud.

Did you put leading edge slats on? I seem to recall the Whirlwind had a high landing speed, or maybe I'm thinking of something else.

lancer · September 28, 2005, 02:18:37 AM

QuoteSounds like a fully booted and suited Mk-2 Lance.

had it been developed the Mk-2 would have replaced the Pergrins with Merlins and the fuel system would have been re jigged to allow fuel tranfer between left and right tanks., plus drop tank caperble pylons, may well have be able to do berlin and back, way before the P-51 showed up to play. the Banff wing might have looked a bit differnt had the 2 come to pass.

Looks like I'll be buildin a Mk2 then. I was thinking about a lang range escort version as well. I may well do that one as well. Now all I nbeed to do is buy some more Whirlwinds...

Jeffry Fontaine · June 08, 2008, 07:52:16 AM

Has anyone considered using the slipper tanks from the Mosquito on the Whirlwind? They were available in 50 and 100 gallon sizes.
Perhaps a Whilwind fitted with slipper tanks and rockets under the wings and a large bomb under the fuselage. Was there sufficient space between the engine nacelles and the fuselage to allow carriage of stores?

Maverick · June 08, 2008, 08:20:51 AM

I did a bunch of Whirlys in my profile thread and included some up-engined & twin tub examples.

Regards,

Mav

GTX · November 26, 2008, 12:10:28 AM

Some real world armament options for the Whirlwind:

12 x 0.303:

1 x 37mm cannon:

Regards,

Greg

sequoiaranger · November 26, 2008, 10:13:34 AM

TWELVE .303's? ONE 37mm?

Re: the 37mm--WHY?? it seems that FOUR 20mm's would put out a dose of explosive lead far in excess to that of a single .37mm. If it's for anti-tank usage, even the single-engined Hurricane carried TWO 40mm guns-- a SINGLE 37mm gun seems way under-armed for a twin-engined plane.

Re: twelve .303's--loading up that small nose cone with twelve guns seems a little excessive. Imagine all the brass casings flying around inside that little space when the guns go off!! I suppose each gun would have an ejection chute leading down, but still!! Then, with so many guns going off in front of the pilot, how's he supposed to see what he's shooting at once the guns fire and send smoke at the windscreen? At least with the Hurricane's twelve guns (out on the wings) the view forward is un-obscured.

But, experimentation is vital to understanding. It would just seem that some forethought would make such experimentation unnecessary. At least with experimentation you have KNOWLEDGE rather than speculation.

PS-- the single 37mm gun in the pug nose of the aircraft makes the Whirlwind look like a prize-fighter with a stogy (cigar) in pursed lips!

dy031101 · November 26, 2008, 10:27:20 AM

Quote from: sequoiaranger on November 26, 2008, 10:13:34 AM
WHY?? it seems that FOUR 20mm's would put out a dose of explosive lead far in excess to that of a single .37mm. If it's for anti-tank usage, even the single-engined Hurricane carried TWO 40mm guns-- a SINGLE 37mm gun seems way under-armed for a twin-engined plane.

The 37mm gun probably has a higher rate of fire and ammo capacity than the two guns on Hurricane......

But then it's my uneducated speculation.