Westland Dragonfly

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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.

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 commercially unsuccessful.

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.

Variants

Westland/Sikorsky WS-51
Prototype.
Dragonfly HR.1
Air-sea search and rescue helicopter for the Royal Navy powered by a 540 hp (400 kW) Alvis 50 radial piston engine. Thirteen 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 modified 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. Modified 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 Wasp Junior B4 radial piston engine.

Operators

 Belgium
 Egypt
  • Royal Egyptian Air Force - Two helicopters as VIP transports.
 France
 Iraq
  • Royal Iraqi Air Force - Two helicopters
 Italy
Sri Lanka Ceylon
  • Royal Ceylon Air Force - Two helicopters
 Japan
  • Japan Air Self Defense Force - Three helicopters
    • 153rd Rescue Squadron
  • Tohuku Electrics - Two helicopters for power line inspection.
 Thailand
 United Kingdom
 Yugoslavia
  • SFR Yugoslav Air Force - Ten helicopters

Survivors

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)

See also

Related development


Related lists
  • List of helicopter models

References

  1. Orbis 1985, page 3080
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. 

External links

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