Origin:
Westland Aircraft, England.
Type:
Utility transport, army support, casevac or search/rescue helicopter.
Engine:
Rolls Royce Gnome turboshaft engine of 1,050shp.
Dimensions:
Diameter of three-blade rotor 53ft 0in (16.15m); length (rotors turning) 62ft 4in (19.00m); length of fuselage 44ft 2in (13.46m); height 13ft 4in (4.06m).
Weight:
Empty 4,694lb (2129kg); max loaded 8,000lb (3629kg)
Performance:
Maximum speed 105 mph ( 169 km/h ); normal range with maximum payload, no reserves 350 miles ( 563km ).
Armament:
None normally fitted.
History:
Westland Aircraft acquired a license to build the successful American Sikorsky S-55 helicopter in November 1950 which was referred to in British service as the Westland Whirlwind.
Although for the time the Whirlwind was a large helicopter it was only able to lift a small payload due largely to the heavy radial engines with which they were fitted. It was not until the lighter and more powerful Rolls Royce Gnome turboshaft engine was installed that the Whirlwind was able to fulfil its true potential. The HAR.10 was the RAF's major variant and first flew in March 1961.
103 Squadron was equipped with the Whirlwind HAR.10 when the Squadron was reformed at Seletar, Singapore in August 1963 and flew the type until November 1972 being heavily involved in the anti terrorist and counter insurgency campaigns in Malaya and Borneo.
