Ricks' Ramblings

[Rick Lowe]

1/72 Airfix Westland Whirlwind fighter *real world*

I've liked this aircraft for a while, and when I found a re-release of the Airfix kit, I snapped it up.

The club was having a Battle of Britain display, so seeing as I was going to build this anyway, and because others would likely concentrate on Spitfires and Hurricanes, I got going.
I found a couple of articles in old Airfix Magazines, in which they tweaked the kit. Using these references, I did the same.

I scratched a cockpit up.
Proceeding to lose one of the nose cannons, I then scratched 4 more from rod, tube and fuse wire for the recoil springs – this was to ensure they all looked similar enough.
The lumps under the fuselage got repositioned according to the article, and I thinned the edges of the wheel bay doors.
Fuse wire for the Fin antenna mount, and I think that was about it.

Then I went to paint it, and because I'm not a particular fan of the Green/Brown scheme, I went with the later Green/Grey they wore at the end of their service life.

Humbrol enamels throughout, and I used the kit transfers.
I used Humbrol Gloss varnish under them, for a smooth surface, not realizing that it yellowed over time.
Humbrol Matt varnish on top of everything.

Due to the yellowing, and the silvering that still occurred, I will likely repaint it at some stage and use new markings from the spares box.
Likely in the regular Green/Brown scheme.

All in all though, it was an enjoyable build and I did finish it in time for the display (that doesn't always happen according to plan or my wishes!).

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[Old Wombat]

The Whirlwind's a lovely little plane! 

I often wonder what Westland would have done with it, if they'd had access to Merlins for further development.*




[*: And I mean Westland - not De Havilland! I know it would no longer be the Whirlwind, as such, but it wouldn't be the Hornet, either.]

[Wardukw]

Rick mate you did a lovely job on the Whirlwind      ,,and what Guy said ,,if i had Merlins to ply with ,,thats exactly what mine would have 
I'm thinking the Merlins from a Mosquito as the lines are better than the engines from the Lancaster ..those huge intakes would look terrible on something like the Whirlwind . 

[PR19_Kit]

I'm with all of you on the Whirlwind too, it's a cracking looking aeroplane, and I've often wondered what Luftwaffe crews thought of it with FOUR 20 mm cannon! That's some hefty firepower, and way more than they had!

At least a couple of Merlin-Whirlwinds have appeared on here before now, but I can't find them sadly. A pair of Merlins from a Hornet would suit the lines of the Whirlwind much better than other variants I reckon.

Taking things to the extreme, as I quite often do  , I've been building a Griffon-Welkin for some years now. That's an even MORE powerful Westland twin engined fighter, but with longer wings of course. 

One day I'll finish it and amaze you all................

[NARSES2]

Always liked the Whirlwind, cracking looking aeroplane 

I admire what you've achieved with that old Airfix kit as it really is a trip back in time when you open the box   

I've a couple of Special Hobby ones in the stash which I MUST start on one day 

If you want a re-engined Whirlwind then how about this one ?

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[PR19_Kit]

I LOVE that Chris, superb job! 

What's the engine, and where's the build thread please? I just love 'prop-in-the-middle' aircraft, rare though they may be. 

[Charlie_c67]

The Whirlwind's a lovely little plane! 

I often wonder what Westland would have done with it, if they'd had access to Merlins for further development.*




[*: And I mean Westland - not De Havilland! I know it would no longer be the Whirlwind, as such, but it wouldn't be the Hornet, either.]

I seem to remember that it was mooted, but can't remember the reason why it was taken no further.

[Old Wombat]

The Whirlwind's a lovely little plane! 

I often wonder what Westland would have done with it, if they'd had access to Merlins for further development.*


[*: And I mean Westland - not De Havilland! I know it would no longer be the Whirlwind, as such, but it wouldn't be the Hornet, either.]

I seem to remember that it was mooted, but can't remember the reason why it was taken no further.

The Peregrine line of engines had reach the end of the types development potential & the shortage of Merlins at the beginning of the war, plus the fact that building a Whirlwind used 3 times as much aluminium alloy as building a Spitfire.

The Mosquito only got the go-ahead due to its use of wood as its primary production material & even its development was delayed by the lack of Merlins.

And therein lies the reason there was no late-war development, when Merlins became available the Mosquito was showing such excellent performance & the capability to be an all-rounder that expending effort on the Whirlwind, or a development of it, was pointless.


Doesn't mean we can't in Whif World, though! 


PS: In the Real World, Westland's plans for a Merlin-engined Whirlwind were the basis for the development of the Welkin.

[Charlie_c67]

PS: In the Real World, Westland's plans for a Merlin-engined Whirlwind were the basis for the development of the Welkin.

Yes, 77 built and none really used in anger 

[Rick Lowe]

Yep, and that the fact that the Whirlwind was designed around the Peregrine.
Any further development with another engine would have necessitated a redesign, and hence the Welkin.

So I've been told, anyway.

And thanks for the likes, fellas. 

[PR19_Kit]

PS: In the Real World, Westland's plans for a Merlin-engined Whirlwind were the basis for the development of the Welkin.

Plus the MUCH longer wings as well, obviously! 

[NARSES2]

I LOVE that Chris, superb job! 

What's the engine, and where's the build thread please? I just love 'prop-in-the-middle' aircraft, rare though they may be. 

Here's the build thread Kit. As for the engine ? You should know better by now never to ask me anything technical whatsoever   

https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=46767.0

[PR19_Kit]

Here's the build thread Kit. As for the engine ? You should know better by now never to ask me anything technical whatsoever   

https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=46767.0

Ah, of course! And I commented numerous times during the build Chris. It's truly magnificent!

You mention that the engine was a single Peregrine in your back story, and that a larger engine would have needed a contra-prop too. I can't help thinking that your Whirlpool was a large influence for me to build my Bv148  last year. 

[NARSES2]

You mention that the engine was a single Peregrine in your back story, and that a larger engine would have needed a contra-prop too. I can't help thinking that your Whirlpool was a large influence for me to build my Bv148  last year. 

Must admit I'm tempted to build another, but with a larger engine, contra prop and twin tails.

[Charlie_c67]

So @Rick Lowe, Merlin powered Whirlwind next? Or have you spare pair of Hercules floating around...?