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{{Short description|1955 utility helicopter by Westland}}
{{For|the 1924 aeroplane|Westland Widgeon (fixed wing)}}
{{For|the 1924 aeroplane|Westland Widgeon (fixed wing)}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{{Infobox aircraft
|name= Widgeon
|name= Widgeon
|image= File:FileWestlandwidgeon560 (cropped).jpg
|image= File:FileWestlandwidgeon560 (cropped).jpg
|caption= Westland WS-51A Widgeon
|caption= Westland WS-51A Widgeon
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
|type=[[Helicopter]]
|type=[[Helicopter]]
|manufacturer=[[Westland Aircraft]]
|manufacturer=[[Westland Aircraft]]
|designer=
|designer=
|first flight= 23 August 1955
|first_flight= 23 August 1955
|introduction=
|introduced=
|retired=
|retired=
|status=
|status=
|primary_user=
|primary user=
|more users=<!--up to three more. please separate with <br/>.-->
|more_users=<!--up to three more. please separate with <br/>.-->
|produced=
|produced=
|number built=12 new built plus 3 conversions<ref name="James p320"/>
|number_built=12 new built plus 3 conversions<ref name="James p320"/>
|unit cost=
|unit cost=
|developed from = [[Westland WS-51 Dragonfly]]
|developed_from = [[Westland WS-51 Dragonfly]]
|variants with their own articles =
|variants =
}}
}}
|}


The '''Westland Widgeon''' was a [[helicopter]] developed by [[Westland Aircraft]] as a private venture improvement fn the [[Westland WS-51 Dragonfly]].
The '''Westland Widgeon''' was a [[helicopter]] developed by [[Westland Aircraft]] as a private venture improvement on the [[Westland WS-51 Dragonfly]].


==Design and development==
==Design and development==
Westland Aircraft decided to make a private venture improvement on the Westland WS-51 Dragonfly, which was a licensed Sikorsky design, helicopter by increasing the cabin capacity and replacing the Dragonfly's rotor head, blades and gearbox with the units used in the [[Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)|Westland Whirlwind]]. Three Dragonfly Series 1As were converted to '''WS-51 Series 2 Widgeon'''s, and the first one flew on 23 August 1955.
Westland Aircraft decided to make a private venture improvement on the Westland WS-51 Dragonfly helicopter, which was a licensed [[Sikorsky Aircraft]] design, by increasing the cabin capacity and replacing the Dragonfly's rotor head, blades and gearbox with the units used in the [[Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)|Westland Whirlwind]]. Three Dragonfly Series 1As were converted to '''WS-51 Series 2 Widgeon''' specifications and the first one flew on 23 August 1955. One of these conversions, registration G-ANLW, was the first helicopter to land at the [[London Heliport]] on 8 April 1959, and later appeared in the 1971 film, ''[[When Eight Bells Toll (film)|When Eight Bells Toll]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.helis.com/database/cn/42555/ |title=G-ANLW Westland Dragonfly |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=www.helis.com |publisher= |access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref>


There was a plan to take up to 24 existing [[Fleet Air Arm]] Dragonflies to '''Dragonfly HC.7''' standard (as the Naval Widgeon was to become) but this was abandoned and it contributed to the decision to stop progress.{{Clarify|date=February 2009}}
In 1957, there was a plan to take up to 24 existing [[Fleet Air Arm]] Dragonflies to '''Dragonfly HC.7''' standard (as the Naval Widgeon was to become) but this was abandoned and it contributed to the decision to stop progress.<ref>{{cite book |last=Beaver |first=Paul |date=1987 |title=Encyclopaedia of the Fleet Air Arm Since 1945 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uY8gAAAAMAAJ |location=Yeovil, Somerset |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd |page=176 |isbn=978-0850597608 }}</ref>


==Operators==
==Operators==
;{{BRA}}
;{{BRA}}
*[[Brazilian Navy]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1967/1967%20-%201256.html|title= WORLD HELICOPTER MARKET 1967 pg. 58|publisher= flightglobal |date=|accessdate=18 October 2014}}</ref>
*[[Brazilian Navy]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1967/1967%20-%201256.html|title= WORLD HELICOPTER MARKET 1967 pg. 58|publisher= flightglobal |access-date=18 October 2014}}</ref>
;{{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} [[Ceylon]]
;{{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} [[Ceylon]]
* [[Royal Ceylon Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1967/1967%20-%201258.html|title= WORLD HELICOPTER MARKET 1967 pg. 60|publisher= flightglobal |date=|accessdate=18 October 2014}}</ref>
* [[Royal Ceylon Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1967/1967%20-%201258.html|title= WORLD HELICOPTER MARKET 1967 pg. 60|publisher= flightglobal |access-date=18 October 2014}}</ref>
;{{flag|Hong Kong|colonial}}
;{{flag|Hong Kong|colonial}}
*[[Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force]]<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Iliffe-Moon|first=Peter|title=The unarmed air force|magazine=[[Flight International]]|date=17 May 1973|page=759|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1973/1973%20-%201297.html|volume=103|issue=3349}}</ref>
*[[Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force]]<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Iliffe-Moon|first=Peter|title=The unarmed air force|magazine=[[Flight International]]|date=17 May 1973|page=759|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1973/1973%20-%201297.html|volume=103|issue=3349}}</ref>
;{{JOR}}
;{{JOR}}
*[[Royal Jordanian Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1967/1967%20-%201260.html|title= WORLD HELICOPTER MARKET 1967 pg. 62|publisher= flightglobal |date=|accessdate=18 October 2014}}</ref>
*[[Royal Jordanian Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1967/1967%20-%201260.html|title= WORLD HELICOPTER MARKET 1967 pg. 62|publisher= flightglobal |access-date=18 October 2014}}</ref>
;{{NIG}}
*[[Biafra Armed forces|Biafran Air Force]] - operated a Two ex-Bristow Widgeon during the [[Biafran War]].<ref>{{harvnb|Draper|1999|pp=80–82}}</ref>
;{{UK}}
;{{UK}}
*[[Bristow Helicopters]]<ref>''Flight International'' 11 July 1968, p. 55.</ref>
*[[Bristow Helicopters]]<ref>''Flight International'' 11 July 1968, p. 55.</ref>

⚫
== Surviving aircraft ==

=== Brazil ===

* N-7001 - WS-51/2 ''c/n'' WA/H/142 on static display in [https://www.marinha.mil.br/comforaernav/museu_naval Museu da Aviação Naval] at [[São Pedro da Aldeia]], [[Rio de Janeiro (state)|Rio de Janeiro]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museu da Aviação Naval {{!}} ComForAerNav |url=https://www.marinha.mil.br/comforaernav/museu_naval |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=www.marinha.mil.br}}</ref>


==Specifications (Widgeon)==
==Specifications (Widgeon)==
{{Aircraft specs
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Westland Aircraft since 1915<ref name="James p320">James 1991, p. 320.</ref>, Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1957-58<ref name=JAWA57-58>{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1957-58 |editor1-last=Bridgman |editor1-first=Leonard |year=1957 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd |location=London |pages=81-82}}</ref>
|ref=Westland Aircraft since 1915,<ref name="James p320">James 1991, p. 320.</ref> Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1957-58<ref name=JAWA57-58>{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1957-58 |editor1-last=Bridgman |editor1-first=Leonard |year=1957 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd |location=London |pages=81–82}}</ref>
|prime units?=imp
|prime units?=imp
<!--
<!--
Line 109: Line 116:
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=10500
|ceiling ft=10500
|ceiling note=</br>
|ceiling note=<br/>
*'''Hover ceiling OGE:''' {{cvt|5000|ft}}</br>
*'''Hover ceiling OGE:''' {{cvt|5000|ft}}
*'''Hover ceiling IGE:''' {{cvt|7500|ft}}<ref name="Flight301255"/>
*'''Hover ceiling IGE:''' {{cvt|7500|ft}}<ref name="Flight301255"/>
|g limits=+2.84g<ref name="Flight301255"/>
|g limits=+2.84g<ref name="Flight301255"/>
Line 125: Line 132:
|thrust/weight=
|thrust/weight=


|more performance=</br>
|more performance=<br/>
*'''Cruising fuel consumption:''' {{cvt|22|impgal/h|USgal/h l/h}}<ref name="Flight301255">{{cite journal |title=WIDGEON AND WHIRLWIND —with Power by Alvis: A Report on Two Current Westland Developments |journal=Flight and Aircraft Engineer |date=30 December 1955 |volume=Vol 68 |issue=No 2449 |pages=p.p.976-977 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1955/1955%20-%201855.html |accessdate=9 April 2019}}</ref>
*'''Cruising fuel consumption:''' {{cvt|22|impgal/h|USgal/h l/h}}<ref name="Flight301255">{{cite journal |title=WIDGEON AND WHIRLWIND —with Power by Alvis: A Report on Two Current Westland Developments |journal=Flight and Aircraft Engineer |date=30 December 1955 |volume=68 |issue=2449 |pages=976–977 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1955/1955%20-%201855.html |access-date=9 April 2019}}</ref>
|avionics=
|avionics=
}}
}}



==In Popular Culture==

A Westland Widgeon (G-APTW) appeared in an extended helicopter scene in the 1971 film adaptation of the Alistair Maclean novel "When Eight Bells Toll". For the purpose of its film appearance the helicopter was painted in pseudo Royal Navy colours.


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of rotorcraft]]
{{Aircontent|
|related=
* [[Westland WS-51 Dragonfly]]
* [[Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)]]
⚫
|similar aircraft=
*[[PZL SM-2]]
|lists=<!-- related lists -->
|see also=<!-- other relevant information -->
}}


==References==
==References==
Line 155: Line 148:
{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
* Apostolo, Giorgio. ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters''. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. {{ISBN|0-517-439352}}.
* Apostolo, Giorgio. ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters''. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. {{ISBN|0-517-439352}}.
* {{cite book |last=Draper |first=Michael I. |title=Shadows: Airlift and Airwar in Biafra and Nigeria 1967–1970 |year=1999 |location=Aldershot, UK |publisher=Hikoki Publications |isbn=1-902109-63-5}}
* James, Derek N. ''Westland Aircraft since 1915''. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1991. {{ISBN|0-85177-847-X}}.
* James, Derek N. ''Westland Aircraft since 1915''. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1991. {{ISBN|0-85177-847-X}}.
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1955/1955%20-%201853.html "Widgeon and Whirlwind —with power by Alvis: A Report on two current Westland developments."] ''Flight,'' 1955.
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1955/1955%20-%201853.html "Widgeon and Whirlwind —with power by Alvis: A Report on two current Westland developments."] ''Flight,'' 1955.
* [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1967/1967%20-%201255.html "World Helicopter Market"]. ''Flight International'', 13 July 1967. pp. 57–71.
* [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1967/1967%20-%201255.html "World Helicopter Market"]. ''Flight International'', 13 July 1967. pp.&nbsp;57–71.
* [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201204.html "World Helicopter Market"]. ''Flight International'', 11 July 1968. pp. 48–60.
* [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%201204.html "World Helicopter Market"]. ''Flight International'', 11 July 1968. pp.&nbsp;48–60.
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


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{{Westland aircraft}}
{{Westland aircraft}}
{{AvN aircraft designations}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Westland Widgeon (Helicopter)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Westland Widgeon (Helicopter)}}
[[Category:1950s British helicopters]]
[[Category:1950s British helicopters]]
[[Category:Westland aircraft|Widgeon (helicopter)]]
[[Category:Westland aircraft|Widgeon (helicopter)]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston helicopters]]
[[Category:Single-rotor helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1955]]

Revision as of 13:03, 8 December 2024

For the 1924 aeroplane, see Westland Widgeon (fixed wing).

Widgeon
Westland WS-51A Widgeon
General information
TypeHelicopter
ManufacturerWestland Aircraft
Number built12 new built plus 3 conversions[1]
History
First flight23 August 1955
Developed fromWestland WS-51 Dragonfly

The Westland Widgeon was a helicopter developed by Westland Aircraft as a private venture improvement on the Westland WS-51 Dragonfly.

Design and development

Westland Aircraft decided to make a private venture improvement on the Westland WS-51 Dragonfly helicopter, which was a licensed Sikorsky Aircraft design, by increasing the cabin capacity and replacing the Dragonfly's rotor head, blades and gearbox with the units used in the Westland Whirlwind. Three Dragonfly Series 1As were converted to WS-51 Series 2 Widgeon specifications and the first one flew on 23 August 1955. One of these conversions, registration G-ANLW, was the first helicopter to land at the London Heliport on 8 April 1959, and later appeared in the 1971 film, When Eight Bells Toll.[2]

In 1957, there was a plan to take up to 24 existing Fleet Air Arm Dragonflies to Dragonfly HC.7 standard (as the Naval Widgeon was to become) but this was abandoned and it contributed to the decision to stop progress.[3]

Operators

 Brazil
Sri Lanka Ceylon
 Hong Kong
 Jordan
 Niger
 United Kingdom

Surviving aircraft

Brazil

Specifications (Widgeon)

Data from Westland Aircraft since 1915,[1] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1957-58[11]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 4 pax
  • Length: 40 ft 10 in (12.45 m)
  • Width: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) fuselage width
  • Height: 13 ft 2.75 in (4.0323 m) to top of rotor hub
  • Empty weight: 4,424 lb (2,007 kg)
  • Gross weight: 5,900 lb (2,676 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 83.2 imp gal (99.9 US gal; 378 L) in two 41.6 imp gal (50.0 US gal; 189 L) fuselage tanks ; Oil capacity 6.5 imp gal (7.8 US gal; 30 L)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Alvis Leonides 521/1 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine (6lb boost), 520 hp (390 kW) for 5 minutes at 3,000 rpm at 43 inHg (150 kPa)[12]
One-hour rating: 470 hp (350 kW) at 38 inHg (130 kPa) at 6,000 ft (1,800 m) at 2,900 rpm[12]
Maximum continuous power: 375 hp (280 kW) at 2,800 rpm
Maximum weak mixture power: 305 hp (227 kW) at 31 inHg (100 kPa) at 2,800 rpm[12]
  • Main rotor diameter: 49 ft 2 in (14.99 m)
  • Main rotor area: 1,898 sq ft (176.3 m2)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 104 mph (167 km/h, 90 kn) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 81 mph (130 km/h, 70 kn)
  • Range: 310 mi (500 km, 270 nmi) maximum
  • Service ceiling: 10,500 ft (3,200 m)
  • Hover ceiling OGE: 5,000 ft (1,500 m)
  • Hover ceiling IGE: 7,500 ft (2,300 m)[12]
  • g limits: +2.84g[12]
  • Rate of climb: 700 ft/min (3.6 m/s)
  • Rate of sink: 720 ft/min (3.7 m/s)
  • Disk loading: 3.1 lb/sq ft (15 kg/m2) [12]
  • Power/mass: 11.35 lb/shp (6.90 kg/kW)[12]
  • Cruising fuel consumption: 22 imp gal/h (26 gal/h; 100 L/h)[12]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b James 1991, p. 320.
  2. ^ "G-ANLW Westland Dragonfly". www.helis.com. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  3. ^ Beaver, Paul (1987). Encyclopaedia of the Fleet Air Arm Since 1945. Yeovil, Somerset: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 176. ISBN 978-0850597608.
  4. ^ "WORLD HELICOPTER MARKET 1967 pg. 58". flightglobal. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  5. ^ "WORLD HELICOPTER MARKET 1967 pg. 60". flightglobal. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  6. ^ Iliffe-Moon, Peter (17 May 1973). "The unarmed air force". Flight International. Vol. 103, no. 3349. p. 759.
  7. ^ "WORLD HELICOPTER MARKET 1967 pg. 62". flightglobal. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  8. ^ Draper 1999, pp. 80–82
  9. ^ Flight International 11 July 1968, p. 55.
  10. ^ "Museu da Aviação Naval | ComForAerNav". www.marinha.mil.br. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  11. ^ Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1957). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1957-58. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd. pp. 81–82.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h "WIDGEON AND WHIRLWIND —with Power by Alvis: A Report on Two Current Westland Developments". Flight and Aircraft Engineer. 68 (2449): 976–977. 30 December 1955. Retrieved 9 April 2019.

Bibliography

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Westland Widgeon (helicopter).
  • Westland Widgeon pages at helis.com database
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Westland_Widgeon_(helicopter)&oldid=1261879708"