Westland Scout
The Westland-Scout/Wasp-Familie was a series of British military light helicopter. The Scout version was used for the SAR service and for observation, while the Wasp version was designed as a lightweight helicopters aboard the Navy for submarine hunting.
History
The Scout / Wasp series is an evolution of the company Saunders -Roe P.531. After Westland took over the company in 1959, the development of this type was continued. Target was a light, modern helicopters with advanced for the time engines, with Westland experimented with different shaft turbines. In the first flight of a prototype after the takeover by Westland on August 9, 1959 Bristol Siddeley Nimbus turbine worked in the helicopter with reduced power up to 635 hp. When flying the second prototype developed under Westlands line a de Havilland Gnome H.1000 - turbine was used, which also throttled output was 685 hp.
After delivery of a first scout Vorserienmodells to the British Army ( the first flight of the machine took place on August 4, 1960 instead ), first 66 aircraft were ordered. At the same time the British Navy was interested in the use as schiffsgestützem helicopter. They also received three 1959 pre-production models, which have been modified and tested under real conditions on board the frigate HMS Undaunted. The modifications of the preliminary models included, among others, various configurations of skids or wheels for landing maneuvers. As additional features like a retractable rotor and a folding tail boom were desired for use on board, the development of the now Wasp (German wasp) said model lasted longer. While in 1960 the first scouts were delivered to the army, the Wasp could be put into service until 1963.
Stationing in Germany
The Rhine Army stationed scouts in the 1960s and 1970s in North West Germany and indeed in frets ( Birdwood Barracks, 652 ), in Münster (Waterloo Barracks, 662 ), Osnabruck ( Quebec Barracks, 659 ), Soltau (Bournemouth Barracks, 657. ) and Verden ( Caithness Barracks, 651 Squadron ).
Equipment
Typical for this model the freely accessible, not disguised turbine was behind the rotor head, While the two types Scout and Wasp were alike in the basic dimensions, some changes had been made for the naval version of Wasp. In addition to folding rotor and tail boom, these models had taken skids or a rigid chassis four completely independent rotating wheels with independent suspension, to allow maneuvering in confined spaces aboard the carrier vessel. The Wasp version was designed for submarine hunting for a weapons load of 250 kg. Optionally, two Mk- 44 torpedoes could or alternatively water bombs be carried. On a locating electronics has been omitted, the Wasp helicopters fought submarines at sight or was passed over the radio from the mother ship.
Versions
Military use
- Royal Australian Navy: 2
- Jordanian Air Force: 3
- British Army
- Royal Marines
Specifications
Use
In addition to the UK individual machines were still used in the Netherlands, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand, Malaysia and Indonesia.