Westland aircraft: books - history, types and construction

75 Years of Westland Aviation Advertisements 1915-1990

This compilation of British aviation industry advertisements comprises the listings for Westland Aircraft from 1915 to 1990. It is one of a series of compilations providing a unique source of reference for researchers, enthusiasts and anyone interested in the timelines of British aviation industry companies.
The advertisement images are reproduced at one per page and without any accompanying narrative. Each item includes the source, title and original date of publication.

From Lysander to Lightning - Teddy Petter, Aircraft Designer

The Lysander, Canberra, Lightning and Folland Gnat are massive names in the world of aviation. Only three aspects bound together these top-class aircraft: they were each radical in design, they were all successful in Britain and overseas, and they were all born of the genius of Teddy Petter.

This book tells the story of Petter's life and family, with his ability to inspire the loyalty of his teams, as well as his tendencies and his eccentricities, right down to his retirement to a religious commune in France. Here Glyn Davies not only explores Petter's life, but also expands on the nature of his remarkable aircraft and why they are so legendary.

Westland Whirlwind Mk. I

The Westland Whirlwind belongs to that category of aircraft which entered production but failed to live up to their designers' expectations. Its unreliable engines can be seen as a major reason for this but it only serves to hide other serious problems.
Indeed, even with better engines the results would probably have been the same, as the concept of a twin-engined fighter aircraft capable of meeting single-engined fighters escorting bombers formations on an equal footing was fallacious, as combat in WW2 was soon to prove.

The true story of the Whirwind and the pilots who flew it is here told in 52 pages with almost 50 photographs, many being published for the first time.

263 and 137 Squadrons : The Whirlwind Years

For many, the Westland Whirlwind conjures the image of yellow air-sea rescue helicopters, not the sleek twin-engine monoplane that was the RAF's first single-seat, cannon-armed fighter.
Although faster and better armed than its legendary cousin, the Spitfire, the Westland Whirlwind has long been neglected the appreciation it deserves. Only 114 were built, sufficient to equip two squadrons: Nos 263 and 137.
Between 6 July 1940 and 31 December 1943, 210 pilots were listed in the Operational Record Books of these two squadrons; while 'The Few' won the Battle of Britain, the 'Whirlwind Men' were an even more select group, with some becoming a part of RAF folklore.

Based predominantly on first-hand accounts,263 and 137 Squadrons: The Whirlwind Years reveals the heroism and sacrifice of the squadrons' pilots - men who came from as far afield as Peru and Australia - and the impact this extraordinary but little-known aircraft had on the war.

Lysander - L'avion qui venait de Londres