Westland Walrus
| Walrus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Spotter |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Westland Aircraft |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 36 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1921 |
| First flight | 1921 |
| Retired | 1925 |
| Developed from | Airco DH.9A |
TheWestland Walruswas a British spotter/reconnaissanceaircraftbuilt byWestland Aircraft.
Design and development
[edit]In 1919 theRoyal Navyhad an urgent need for a three-seat spotter/reconnaissance aircraft. To save money, theAirco DH.9Awas adapted from part completed airframes, available in large numbers following the end of theFirst World Warand the cancellation of orders.[1]The initial attempt was carried out byArmstrong Whitworth Aircraft,adding provision for an observer and removing the stagger from the wings to produce theArmstrong Whitworth Tadpole.[2]
Further development was passed on to Westland, who further modified the aircraft to produce the Walrus, with a 450 hp (336 kW) Napier Lion IIenginereplacing theLibertyengine of the DH.9A and Tadpole. Like the DH.9A, the Walrus was a single-engined, two-baybiplane.It was fitted with an extra cockpit for the observer/radio operator behind the gunner's cockpit, while the observer also had a prone position for observing in a ventral pannier. The undercarriage could be jettisoned and the aircraft was fitted with floatation bags and hydrovanes to aid safe ditching, together witharresting gearto aid landing onaircraft carriers.The wings were detachable to aid storage.[3][4]The prototype first flew in early 1921, proving to have poor flying characteristics, being described by Westland'stest pilotStuart Keep as "a vicious beast" but despite this, a further 35 were ordered.[5]
Operational history
[edit]Production aircraft began to be delivered toNo. 3 Squadron RAFatRAF Leucharsin 1921. No. 3 Squadron was split up to form independent Fleet Spotter Flights in 1923, although despite the extensive navalisation, the Walrus never operated from carriers. The Walrus continued in service in the Fleet spotting role until replaced by theAvro BisonandBlackburn Blackburnin late 1925.[6]
Operators
[edit]
- Royal Air Force
- No. 3 Squadron RAF(Fleet Air Armfrom 1924)
Specifications
[edit]Data fromWestland Aircraft since 1915[7]
General characteristics
- Crew:3
- Length:29 ft 9 in (9.07 m)
- Wingspan:46 ft 2 in (14.07 m)
- Height:11 ft 7 in (3.53 m)
- Wing area:496 sq ft (46.1 m2)
- Empty weight:3,180 lb (1,442 kg)
- Gross weight:4,998 lb (2,267 kg)
- Powerplant:1 ×Napier Lion IIW-12 water-cooled piston engine, 450 hp (340 kW)
- Propellers:2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed:124 mph (200 km/h, 108 kn)
- Service ceiling:19,000 ft (5,800 m)
- Rate of climb:950 ft/min (4.8 m/s)
- Wing loading:10.8 lb/sq ft (53 kg/m2)
- Power/mass:0.09 hp/lb (0.15 kW/kg)
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 × forward firingVickers machine gun
- 1 or 2 rearLewis gunsonScarff ring
See also
[edit]Related development
Related lists
References
[edit]
- James, Derek N. (1991).Westland Aircraft since 1915.London: Putnam.ISBN0-85177-847-X.
- Thetford, Owen (1978).British Naval Aircraft since 1912(Fourth ed.). London: Putnam.ISBN0-370-30021-1.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985).Orbis Publishing.