Westland Wallace
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| Westland Wallace | |
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| Type | Two-seat general-purpose biplane |
| Manufacturer | Westland |
| Maiden flight | 31 October 1931 |
| Introduced | 1933 |
| Retired | 1943 |
| Status | out of service |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force |
| Produced | 1933-1936 |
| Number built | 104 + 68 conversions from Wapitis |
The Westland Wallace was a British two-seat, general-purpose biplane of the Royal Air Force, developed by Westland as a follow-on to their successful Wapiti. As the last of the inter-war general purpose biplanes, it was used by a number of frontline and Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons. Although the pace of aeronautical development caused its rapid replacement in frontline service, its useful life was extended into the Second World War with many being converted into target tugs and wireless trainers.
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[edit] Design and development
In 1931, Westland produced the PV-6, a private-venture development of its successful Wapiti. This updated aircraft embodied a number of improvements including a lengthened fuselage, brakes and wheel spats on the undercarriage and a new engine. By this time both the appearance and performance differed considerably from the standard Wapiti, so the company designated it the "PV6 Wallace." Compared with the earlier Wapiti, the Wallace was 20 inches (0.5 m) longer, incorporated an improved undercarriage and was powered by a 655-hp (488-kW) Bristol Pegasus IV engine. The first batches of MK I Wallaces were conversions of Wapitis, a total of 68 powered by 570-bhp (425-kW) Pegasus IIM3 engines.
Westland designed an improved version, the Mk II which fitted with a more powerful engine and the then-novel idea of an enclosed canopy over both crew positions. This offered greater comfort for the crew and improved the rear gunner's aim by protecting him from the slipstream. Three Wallace Is (K4346-K4348) were later converted to Mk II standards, including fitting the closed canopy.
[edit] Operational history
The original PV-6 prototype, registered G-ACBR (and also known as the Houston-Wallace) along with Westland PV-3 G-ACAZ, was part of the Houston Everest Expedition, an attempt to fly over Mount Everest. Both aircraft received modifications that included fitting heating and oxygen equipment, fully enclosing the rear cockpits and using highly supercharged Bristol Pegasus IS 3 engines.[1] Flown by Flight Lieutenant D.F. McIntyre, the two aircraft became the first to fly over Mount Everest on 3 April 1933.[2]
Most of the Wallaces served with the Auxiliary Air Force: 501, 502, 504, 608 and 610 squadrons. Others operated with the Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight at Biggin Hill
When withdrawn from the general purpose role, many Wallaces were converted into target tugs. A total of 83 Wallaces remained in service at the beginning of the Second World War. The last were withdrawn in 1943.
[edit] Variants
- Westland PV-6 - Prototype, later converted to military configuration as a Wallace I.
- Wallace Mk I - Conversion from Wapiti powered by a 570-hp (425-kW) Bristol Pegasus IIM3 engine, 68 converted.
- Wallace Mk II - New aircraft with glazed cockpit and powered by a 680-hp (506-kW) Bristol Pegasus IV engine, 104 built.
[edit] Operators
- Royal Air Force
- No. 501 Squadron RAF
- No. 502 Squadron RAF
- No. 503 Squadron RAF
- No. 504 Squadron RAF
[edit] Specifications (Westland Wallace II)
Data from The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II [3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 34 ft 2 in (10.41 m)
- Wingspan: 46 ft 5 in (14.15 m)
- Height: 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
- Wing area: 488 ft² (45.34 m²)
- Empty weight: 3,840 lb (1,742 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 5,750 lb (2,608 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Bristol Pegasus IV radial piston, 680 hp (507 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 158 mph (137 knots, 254 km/h) at 15,000 ft (4,570 m)
- Cruise speed: 135 mph (117 knots, 217 km/h)
- Range: 470 miles (409 nm, 756 km)
- Service ceiling 24,100 ft (7,435 m)
Armament
- Guns: 2 x 0.303 inch (7.7 mm) machineguns
- Bombs: total of 580 lb (263 kg) of bombs
[edit] See also
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008) |
[edit] Bibliography
- Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1994. ISBN 1-85152-668-4.
- James, Derek. "To The Top of the World". Aeroplane. Vol 36 No. 4, Issue No 420, April 2008. Pages 20-25.
[edit] External links
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