WINGLEADER MAGAZINE – WESTLAND WHIRLWIND IN WORLD WAR TWO — WINGLEADER PHOTO ARCHIVE NUMBER 19
Prix régulier 15,00 € TTC 6%
Characteristics
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-908757-31-9 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Perfect paperback |
| Condition | Like NEW |
| Author(s) | Neil Robinson |
| Publisher | Wing Leader Ltd |
| Number of pages | 72 |
| Published date |
First Edition ISBN 978-1-908757-31-9 First published 2023 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Collection / Series | Wingleader Photo Archive Number 19 |
| Size | 29.7 x 21 cm |
| Categorie(s) | • AVIATION MILITAIRE • SECONDE GUERRE MONDIALE • APPAREILS - CONSTRUCTEURS |
Description
Welcome to Number Nineteen
One of the original aims of this series was to cover some of the lesser-known aircraft types as thoroughly as the more famous ones. Near the top of this “lesser-known” list was the Westland Whirlwind, an aircraft that has always captured the imagination of many of us with its sleek lines and powerful armament. Under different circumstances, the Whirlwind could easily have become as famous—and just as effective—as the Mosquito or the Beaufighter.
In the end, only two squadrons flew the Whirlwind operationally, and just 116 examples were built, each costing roughly £1 million in today’s money. Despite this rarity, a number of excellent photographs were taken by the press, and when combined with images from the personal albums of the pilots who flew the Whirlwind, we have been able to create an in-depth pictorial tribute to this often-overlooked fighter.
Neil Robinson has once again proven to be a very safe pair of hands when dealing with any RAF aircraft type. His research into the finer details of both colour schemes and technical modifications really brings this subject to life. We would also like to extend particular thanks to everyone involved in the Whirlwind Project, who reviewed the final manuscript and fine-tuned many small but important details.
We hope you enjoy this venture into some of the rarer World War II aircraft types. If it proves successful, expect to see a few more in due course—anyone fancy an Anson or an Albemarle?
Mark Postlethwaite
Series Editor
Title page: Whirlwind Mk.I, P7062 HE•L of 263 Sqn photographed while the unit was based at RAF Angle, Pembrokeshire, Wales, from April to August 1942. The aircraft crashed (probably due to engine failure), on 19th February 1943, near Chiseldon, Wiltshire, during an Army Co-Operation Exercise, hitting a tree and killing the pilot, Flt/Sgt Francis Leslie Hicks, RAAF. (See illustration on pp40 & 41)
This page: Whirlwinds of 263 Squadron beating up the airfield for the Press.
Profile research by the author.
Profiles by Darren Prior: komet.grafikwerke@gmail.com
The author would like to thank the following people for their help in creating this volume.
Chris Goss
Paul Lucas
Andrew Thomas
Chris Thomas
Wingleader Archive
and special thanks for the technical and historical assistance, kindly given by Gunnar Olsen and The Whirlwind Fighter Project team, based at Hawkinge Battle of Britain Museum, Kent (https://www.whirlwindfp.org/)