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Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:01
The first production Whirlwind delivered to No. 263 Squadron was P6966, which was collected by
Squadron Leader H. Eeles on 24 June and flown to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], where 263 Squadron was reforming after disastrous losses in the Norwegian Campaign, in which only four pilots survived.
After the decision had been made that [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], not [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], would be the first operational Whirlwind squadron, [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] had to make do with the three initial aircraft, and was supplied with additional Hurricanes until more Whirlwinds became
available.
Squadron Leader H. Eeles on 24 June and flown to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], where 263 Squadron was reforming after disastrous losses in the Norwegian Campaign, in which only four pilots survived.
After the decision had been made that [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], not [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], would be the first operational Whirlwind squadron, [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] had to make do with the three initial aircraft, and was supplied with additional Hurricanes until more Whirlwinds became
available.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:02
Due to slow deliveries and the delays involved in transitioning from Hawker Hurricanes to the new fighter, the squadron did not become operational with Whirlwinds until December 1940.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:03
The first Whirlwind was written off on 7 August when Pilot Officer McDermott had a tyre blow out while taking off in P6966.
In spite of this he managed to get the aircraft airborne.
Flying Control advised him of the dangerous condition of his undercarriage, and to land the aircraft in such condition was extremely hazardous.
PO McDermott bailed out of the aircraft between Grangemouth and Stirling.
The aircraft dived in and buried itself thirty feet into the ground (see survivors).
In spite of this he managed to get the aircraft airborne.
Flying Control advised him of the dangerous condition of his undercarriage, and to land the aircraft in such condition was extremely hazardous.
PO McDermott bailed out of the aircraft between Grangemouth and Stirling.
The aircraft dived in and buried itself thirty feet into the ground (see survivors).
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:04
No. 263 squadron became operational with the Whirlwind in December 1940, carrying out convoy patrols
from [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
The Whirlwind’s first confirmed kill occurred on 8 February, when Pilot Officer Graham (P6969) shot down an [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] floatplane.
from [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
The Whirlwind’s first confirmed kill occurred on 8 February, when Pilot Officer Graham (P6969) shot down an [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] floatplane.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:05
Graham was never seen again, and was believed to have died in the attack.
From then on the Squadron was to have considerable success with the Whirlwind while flying against enemy [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], Bf 109s and Fw 190s.
The squadron went on to carry out day bomber escort missions with the Whirlwinds, including the escort of six [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]
squadrons to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] on 12 August 1941.
From then on the Squadron was to have considerable success with the Whirlwind while flying against enemy [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], Bf 109s and Fw 190s.
The squadron went on to carry out day bomber escort missions with the Whirlwinds, including the escort of six [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]
squadrons to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] on 12 August 1941.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:06
A second Whirlwind squadron, [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], flew the type from September 1941 until June 1943.
In the summer of 1942, both squadrons' Whirlwinds were fitted with racks to carry two 250 lb or 500 lb bombs and
redesignated Whirlwind IA, and nicknamed Whirlibombers.
These undertook low-level cross-channel "[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]" sweeps, attacking locomotives, bridges, shipping and other targets.
In the summer of 1942, both squadrons' Whirlwinds were fitted with racks to carry two 250 lb or 500 lb bombs and
redesignated Whirlwind IA, and nicknamed Whirlibombers.
These undertook low-level cross-channel "[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]" sweeps, attacking locomotives, bridges, shipping and other targets.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:08
Channel Dash
[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Squadron's worst losses were to be on 12 February 1942 during the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], when they were sent to escort five British Destroyers, unaware of the escaping German warships [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
Four Whirlwinds took off at 13:10 hours, and soon sighted warships through the clouds about 20 miles from the Belgian coast.
They descended to investigate and were immediately jumped by about 20 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] of [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
The Whirlwinds shot at anything they got in their sights, but the battle was against odds.
While this was going on, at 13:40 two additional Whirlwinds were sent up to relieve the first four, still unaware of the danger. All six Whirlwinds failed to return.
[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Squadron's worst losses were to be on 12 February 1942 during the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], when they were sent to escort five British Destroyers, unaware of the escaping German warships [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
Four Whirlwinds took off at 13:10 hours, and soon sighted warships through the clouds about 20 miles from the Belgian coast.
They descended to investigate and were immediately jumped by about 20 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] of [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
The Whirlwinds shot at anything they got in their sights, but the battle was against odds.
While this was going on, at 13:40 two additional Whirlwinds were sent up to relieve the first four, still unaware of the danger. All six Whirlwinds failed to return.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:09
Münsterland
From 24 October until 26 November 1943, Whirlwinds of 263 Squadron made several large attacks against the German [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], in dry dock at [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
As many as 12 Whirlwinds participated at a time in dive bombing attacks carried out from 12,000 to 5,000 ft using 250 lb
bombs.
The attacks were met by very heavy anti-aircraft fire, but virtually all bombs fell within 500 yds of the target.
Only one Whirlwind was lost during the attacks.
From 24 October until 26 November 1943, Whirlwinds of 263 Squadron made several large attacks against the German [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], in dry dock at [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
As many as 12 Whirlwinds participated at a time in dive bombing attacks carried out from 12,000 to 5,000 ft using 250 lb
bombs.
The attacks were met by very heavy anti-aircraft fire, but virtually all bombs fell within 500 yds of the target.
Only one Whirlwind was lost during the attacks.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:10
Modifications
One Whirlwind (P6972) was tested as a night fighter in 1940 with No. 25 Squadron while the first prototype was tested with an armament configuration of 12 0.303 machine guns.
Another Whirlwind had a single 37 mm cannon fitted.
One Whirlwind (P6972) was tested as a night fighter in 1940 with No. 25 Squadron while the first prototype was tested with an armament configuration of 12 0.303 machine guns.
Another Whirlwind had a single 37 mm cannon fitted.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:12
Deactivation
The last Whirlwind mission to be flown by 137 Squadron occurred on 21 June 1943 when five Whirlwinds took off on a
"rhubarb" attack against the German airfield at Poix.
Pilot Officer Barclay (P6993) was unable to locate the target and instead bombed a supply train north of Rue.
The last Whirlwind mission to be flown by 137 Squadron occurred on 21 June 1943 when five Whirlwinds took off on a
"rhubarb" attack against the German airfield at Poix.
Pilot Officer Barclay (P6993) was unable to locate the target and instead bombed a supply train north of Rue.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:13
While returning, the starboard throttle jammed in the fully open position and the engine eventually lost power.
PO Barclay made a forced landing in a field next to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], but the aircraft was a complete write-off - a sad farewell to the Whirlwind, though like in so many other crash landing in the type, the pilot walked away unhurt.
PO Barclay made a forced landing in a field next to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], but the aircraft was a complete write-off - a sad farewell to the Whirlwind, though like in so many other crash landing in the type, the pilot walked away unhurt.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:14
In December 1943, No. 263 Squadron, the first and last squadron to operate the Whirlwind, turned in their planes and converted to the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
On 1 January 1944, the type was officially declared obsolete.
The remaining serviceable aircraft were transferred to No. 18 Maintenance Unit, while those undergoing repairs or overhaul were only allowed to be repaired if they were in near-flyable condition, an official letter forbidding aircraft needing repair to be worked on.
On 1 January 1944, the type was officially declared obsolete.
The remaining serviceable aircraft were transferred to No. 18 Maintenance Unit, while those undergoing repairs or overhaul were only allowed to be repaired if they were in near-flyable condition, an official letter forbidding aircraft needing repair to be worked on.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
Re: Westland Whirlwind
par LysanD Jeu 18 Mar 2010, 20:15
Evaluation
At low level, the aircraft was a devastating fighter-bomber, armed with both cannons and bombs, and it could hold its own with the Bf 109 at low level.
The performance of the Peregrine engine fell off at altitude, so the Whirlwind was used almost exclusively at low level.
Though the Peregrine is a much-maligned powerplant, in actuality it would prove more reliable than the troublesome [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] engine used in the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the Whirlwind's successor.
At low level, the aircraft was a devastating fighter-bomber, armed with both cannons and bombs, and it could hold its own with the Bf 109 at low level.
The performance of the Peregrine engine fell off at altitude, so the Whirlwind was used almost exclusively at low level.
Though the Peregrine is a much-maligned powerplant, in actuality it would prove more reliable than the troublesome [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] engine used in the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the Whirlwind's successor.
LysanD- CLUB
- Messages : 354
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