Westland Whirlwind - Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow 2021

Описание: Historic Helicopters Westland Whirlwind, seen departing from the Imperial War Museum, Duxford for a 2 hour flight back to its Chard, Somerset base, after appearing on the flight line on the Sunday of the Battle of Britain Airshow 2021.

Former Royal Air Force Westland Whirlwind HAR Mk.10, XJ729, is now on the UK civil register as G-BGVE and is probably the only airworthy example of its type in existence.
Built originally to HAR.2 standard, she was first flown from Westland’s Yeovil factory on 18th January 1956 (serial No. WA100) and by March she was on strength with 22 Search and Rescue Squadron at RAF St. Mawgan in Cornwall.

In 1961 she was upgraded by Westland Helicopters to HAR.10 standard, before returning to St. Mawgan in March 1962. 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, Anglesey.

After withdrawal from service, she was sent to RAF Finningley, as an instructional airframe and began to deteriorate and was sold for scrap. She was rescued and an extensive period of restoration began, culminating in her static appearance at the 1995 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. A businessman from Mullingar, Ireland bought the aircraft and operated her regularly at Airshows and public events, until her Certificate of Airworthiness expired in 2007. She then disappeared from public view until a UK based businessman purchased the aircraft and brought her back to England in 2013. Following extensive work, and much investment, XJ729 was granted a Certificate of Airworthiness at the end of November 2013.
She is now a purely civilian aircraft, has recently been refurbished (to be the lightest Whirlwind yet) and painted in the colours she wore when flown by 22 Squadron.

If you are interested in more information about this and the operation of the Whirlwind helicopter in general, there is a very interesting article in 'Helicopter Life' magazine, on the web here (scroll down to page 40) - http://www.helicopterlife.com/wp-cont...

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