Airfix Westland Whirlwind HAS.22 - 1:72 Vintage

Part of the vintage classics range of Airfix kits.  Boxes feature original paintings by an impressive range of artists.

As helicopter technology continued to advance apace following the end of WWII, the operational flexibility offered by rotary powered aircraft resulted in a race to develop a machine with the power and range to carry both troops and supplies efficiently.

The breakthrough came with the introduction of the US Sikorski H-19 Chickasaw, an aircraft which was the envy of the world.  A licence agreement was signed to allow Westland Aircraft based at Yeovil to produce the helicopter for British service.  Named the Whirlwind, the first British build prototype flew in August 1953, with the type going on to Enter RN service in July 1954.