Westland Wapiti

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Wapiti
Type general purpose
Manufacturer Westland Aircraft
Designed by Arthur Davenport
Maiden flight March 1927
Introduced June 1928
Primary users Royal Air Force
IAF, RCAF, AAF
Number built 517
Variants Westland Wallace, Westland PV-3

The Westland Wapiti was a British two-seat general purpose military single engined biplane of the 1920s built by Westland Aircraft Works to the Air Ministry Specification 26/27 for a replacement of the Airco DH.9A in Royal Air Force service.

Contents

[edit] History

To save time the Air Ministry specification called for the use of a high proportion of Airco DH.9A components. Westland had an advantage in that it was already a prime contractor for the DH.9A and won an initial contract for 25 aircraft. The prototype first flew on 7 March 1927. The Wapiti was a conventional biplane with tandem open cockpits. The type entered service with No. 84 Squadron RAF in Iraq in June 1928. It was used in Iraq and India, and by Australia and Canada. With the latter it saw service at the start of the Second World War.

The prototype Wapiti V, registered G-AAWA, was used for demonstration flights in Argentina and Uruguay on floats. It was then modified as the Bristol Pegasus powered Westland PV-6, re-registered G-ACBR (also known as the Houston-Wallace), for an attempt to fly over Mount Everest. Flown by Flt Lt D. F. McIntyre and accompanied by a Westland PV-3 the two aircraft became the first to fly over Mount Everest on 3 April 1933. The PV-6 was later designated the Wallace Mk I which introduced a number of improvements. A total of 68 Wapitis were converted to Wallace Mk I standard.

[edit] Military Operators

Image:Flag of Australia.svg Australia
Image:Canadian Red Ensign 1921.svg Canada
Image:Flag of the Republic of China.svg China
Image:British Raj Red Ensign.svgIndia
Image:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg South Africa
Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom

[edit] Variants

All built by Westland at Yeovil

Image:Westland Wapiti 1 ExCC.jpg
  • Wapiti I - Initial production version for the RAF. Powered by a 420-hp (313-kW) Bristol Jupiter IV radial piston engine. 56 built.
  • Wapiti IA - Improved version for the RAF and RAAF. Powered by a 480-hp (358-kw) Bristol Jupiter IIIF radial piston engine, and fitted with Handley Page leading eldge slots.
  • Wapiti IB - Similar to the Wapiti IA but introduced divided main landing gear. Four exported to South Africa. RAF aircraft were later re-engined with the 550-hp (410-kW) Armstrong Siddeley Panther.
  • Wapiti II - Developed version with an all-metal basic structure.
  • Wapiti IIA - Major production version with revised wing construction and able to use wheel or float landing gear.
  • Wapiti III - Two-seat general-purpose biplane for the SAAF. 27 were built under licence in South Africa.
  • Wapiti V - version developed from the Wapiti IV project with a lengthened fuselage. Powered by a 550-hp (410-kW) Bristol Jupiter VIIIF, 37 built.
  • Wapiti VI - Dual control training version for the RAF. 16 built.
  • Wapiti VII - Converted Wapiti V, original designated the Houston-Wallace P.V.6 before reconversion to Wapiti VII experimental aircraft.
  • Wapiti VIII - Version developed for the Wapiti IV project for Central Chinese government. Powered by a 512-hp (382-Kw) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar VI, four built.

[edit] Specifications (Wapiti IIA)

Data from The British Bomber since 1914[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 31 ft 8in (9.65 m)
  • Wingspan: 46 ft 5 in (14.15 m)
  • Height: 13 ft (3.96 m)
  • Wing area: 488 ft² (45 m²)
  • Empty weight: 3810 lb (1732 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 5410 lb (2459 kg)
  • Useful load: lb (kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: lb (kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× Bristol Jupiter VI Radial, 420 hp (313 kW)

Performance

Armament

  • One 0.303 inch forward firing Vickers gun and one Lewis gun on Scarff ring on rear cockpit,
  • up to 580 lb of bombs.

    • [edit] References

    1. ^ Mason, Francis K (1994). The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN ISBN 0 85177 861 5. 
    2. ^ Thetford, Owen (1957). Aircraft of the Royal Aircraft 1918-57, 1st edition, London: Putnam. 
    • Andrews, C.F. The Westland Wapiti. Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1965. No ISBN.

    [edit] Related content

    Related development

    Comparable aircraft

    Designation sequence

    Westland Yeovil - Westland Wizard - Westland Westbury - Westland Wapiti - Westland Witch - Westland-Hill Pterodactyl - Westland Interceptor

    [edit] External links

    it:Westland Wapiti

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