Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)
| Whirlwind | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Helicopter |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Westland Aircraft |
| Primary users | Royal Navy |
| Number built | 360+ |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1953–1966 |
| Introduction date | 1954 |
| First flight | August 1953 |
| Retired | 1982 |
| Developed from | Sikorsky H-19 |
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The Westland Whirlwind helicopter was a British licence-built version of the U.S. Sikorsky S-55/H-19 Chickasaw. It primarily served with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in anti-submarine and search and rescue roles. It was also exported to other countries, and the Whirlwind was succeeded by the turbine powered Westland Wessex (based on the Sikorsky H-34) which was developed from the H-19/Whirlwind. The helicopter was made in many variants using a variety of radial (piston) and turbine engines.
Whirlwind helicopters fitted with turbine power served right up until the early 1980s, and a converted Whirlwind was in the Queen's Flight.