Westland Dragonfly
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| WS-51 Dragonfly | |
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| Dragonfly HR5 | |
| Role | rescue or communications helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Westland Aircraft |
| Introduced | 1950 |
| Primary users | Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
| Produced | 1950- |
| Number built | 133 |
| Developed from | Sikorsky H-5 |
| Variants | Westland Widgeon |
The Westland WS-51 Dragonfly helicopter was built by Westland Aircraft and was a license-built version of the American Sikorsky S-51. Apart from military use, it was sold into civilian use.
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[edit] Design and development
In December 1946 an agreement was signed between Westland Aircraft and Sikorsky to allow a British version of the S-51 to be manufactured under license in the United Kingdom. These would be powered by the 500 hp Alvis Leonides radial engine. A modified version was also developed by Westland as the Westland Widgeon, but it was unsuccessful.
[edit] Operational history
The Dragonfly entered service with the Royal Navy in 1950 in the air-sea rescue role. A number were also used by the Royal Air Force for casualty evacuation. It was replaced in British service by the Westland Whirlwind, another derivative of a Sikorsky design, in the late 1950s. Fifty-one civilian WS-51s were produced.
[edit] Variants
- Westland/Sikorsky WS-51
- Prototype.
- Dragonfly HR.1
- Air-sea search and rescue helicopter for the Royal Navy powered by a 540 hp (403 kW) Alvis 50 radial piston engine. 13 built, some modified later as HR.5s.
- Dragonfly HC.2
- Casualty evacuation helicopter for the Royal Air Force similar to the commercial Mark 1A, three built.
- Dragonfly HR.3
- Air-sea search and rescue helicopter for the Royal Navy. Similar to the Dragonfly HR.1, but fitted with all-metal rotor blades, 58 built some later modifed as HR.5s.
- Dragonfly HC.4
- Casualty evacuation helicopter for the RAF similar to the Dragonfly HR.3 with all-metal rotor blades, 12 built.
- Dragonfly HR.5
- Air-sea search and rescue helicopter for the Royal Navy similar to the Dragonfly HR.3. Modifed from HR.1 and HR.3.
- Westland-Sikorsky WS-51 Mk.1A
- Civil transport helicopter powered by a 520 hp (388 kW) Alvis Leonides 521/1 radial piston engine. Built by Westland in the United Kingdom.
- Westland-Sikorsky WS-51 Mk.1B
- Civil transport helicopter powered by a 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985-134 Wasp Junior radial piston engine.
[edit] Operators
- Sabena - Three helicopters
- Royal Egyptian Air Force - Two helicopters as VIP transports.
- French Air Force - Nine helicopters initially for use in Indo-China.
- Royal Iraqi Air Force - Two helicopters
- Italian Air Force - Three helicopters
- Royal Ceylon Air Force - Two helicopters
- Japan Air Self Defence Force - Three helicopters
- 153rd Rescue Squadron
- Tohuku Electrics - Two helicopters for power line inspection.
- Royal Thai Air Force - Four helicopters
- Empire Test Pilot's School
- Royal Air Force
- Central Flying School
- No. 194 Squadron RAF
- Fleet Air Arm
- SFR Yugoslav Air Force - Ten helicopters
[edit] Survivors
- Dragonfly HR.3 WG751 on display at the Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham, United Kingdom.
- Dragonfly HR.5 WN403 on display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset,United Kingdom
- Dragonfly HR.3 G-AJOV on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shropshire, United Kingdom
- WS-51 Mk.1B 11503 on display at the Yugoslav Aeronautical Museum at Nikola Tesla Airport, Belgrade, Serbia.
[edit] Specifications (Dragonfly HR.1)
Data from [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 (pilot)
- Capacity: 3 (passengers)
- Length: 57 ft 6½ in (17.54 m)
- Main rotor diameter: × 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
- Height: 12 ft 11½ in (3.95 m)
- Main rotor area: 1809.56 ft² (168.11 m²)
- Empty weight: 4380 lb (1987 kg)
- Gross weight: 5870 lb (2663 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Alvis Leonides 50 radial piston, 540 hp (403 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
- Range: 300 miles (483 km)
- Service ceiling: 12,400 ft (3780 m)
[edit] See also
Related development
Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ Orbis 1985, page 3080
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
[edit] External links
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