Westland Whirlwind - Yeovilton Air Day 2017

Описание: Historic Helicopters 1956 built Westland Whirlwind HAR Mk.10, XJ729, G-BVGE, displays during the RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2017. It's currently the only airworthy Westland Whirlwind.

The Westland Whirlwind is a licence-built version of the Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw. The type was primarily built for the Royal Navy who adopted the Whirlwind as an anti-submarine and search and rescue helicopter. Later versions also served with the Royal Air Force as a training helicopter and in the SAR role. Over 400 Whirlwinds were produced with around a quarter being exported worldwide to one of 11 export customers. The Whirlwind enjoyed a distinguished service career lasting from 1954 to 1981 which eventually included a pair of helicopters joining the Queen’s Flight.

Historic Helicopters were set up near Chard in Somerset in 2013 with a mission goal to preserve, restore and operate a fleet of vintage military helicopters. The fleet has grown to a total of twelve helicopters which were all built by Westland.

When constructed this Whirlwind was given Westland's airframe serial number WA100. It was originally made to HAR.2 standard. Assigned RAF serial XJ729, it was first flown from Westland’s Yeovil factory on 18th January 1956. By March 1956 she was on strength with No. 22 Search and Rescue Squadron at RAF St. Mawgan.

In 1961 she went back to Westland Helicopters for upgrade to HAR.10 standard, before returning to St. Mawgan in March 1962, to continue her work. During an extensive service life, she also spent time at RAF Leconfield, RAF Leuchars, RAF Coltishall and RAF Chivenor, before ending her career at the Search and Rescue Training Unit at RAF Valley, on Anglesey.

Following withdrawal from service, she was sent to RAF Finningley, where she served as an instructional airframe and began to deteriorate from this point. Left outside and open to the elements, she became a sorry state and was subsequently sold for scrap. S
She was rescued from the scrapman and an extensive period of restoration began, culminating in her
static appearance at the 1995 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.
Her more recent history was very much associated with Ireland – a businessman from Mullingar bought the aircraft and operated her regularly at Airshows and public events, until her Certificate of Airworthiness expired in 2007. After this little was heard about the aircraft and she appeared to drop off the historic aviation radar.
In late 2013 news began to circulate regarding Whirlwind XJ729, as a UK based businessman purchased the aircraft and brought her back to England.
Following extensive work, and much investment, XJ729 was granted a Certificate of Airworthiness at the end of November 2013.
Whirlwind HAR Mk 10 XJ729/G-BVGE is now a purely civilian aircraft, has recently been refurbished (to be the lightest Whirlwind yet) and painted yellow, the colour she wore when flown by 22 Squadron.

This Helicopter is owned and operated by Mr Andrew Whitehouse.

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