Home > Services > Royal Air Force
Westland Whirlwind HAR. 10 prototype
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Air Force
Westland Whirlwind HAR. 10 prototype
Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 prototype, Yeovil 9 June 1959
The Royal Air Force Museum is Britain's only national museum dedicated wholly to aviation
Media ID 690667
© RAF Museum 2008 - All Rights Reserved
Helicopter Postwar Prototypes Royal Air Force
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum
> Royal Air Force
> Helicopters
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "A Pioneering Flight: The Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 Prototype in 1959" In this evocative black-and-white photograph, the Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 prototype, registration XH131, is seen undergoing rigorous tests at the Westland Helicopters factory in Yeovil on 9th June 1959. The Royal Air Force (RAF) helicopter, with its distinctive twin-boom design and large, three-bladed main rotor, represented a significant leap forward in postwar rotary-wing aviation. The Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 was a development of the successful HAR.9, which entered RAF service in 1956. The HAR.10 was designed to address the need for a more powerful and versatile helicopter capable of performing various roles, including anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and troop transport. The prototype, powered by two Rolls-Royce Gnome H1250 engines, boasted improved performance and a greater payload capacity. In this image, the helicopter is seen with its doors and windows removed, allowing the test pilots and engineers to assess its structural integrity and performance in various conditions. The Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 prototype underwent extensive testing at the RAF's Boscombe Down Test Establishment before entering service in 1961. This photograph captures a pivotal moment in the helicopter's development, as it stood poised to revolutionize the RAF's rotary-wing capabilities and pave the way for future generations of military helicopters. Charles E. Brown, a skilled photographer for the RAF Museum, captured this image, providing a unique glimpse into the world of helicopter development during the postwar era. The Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 prototype remains an essential part of the RAF's rich aviation history, symbolizing the ingenuity and determination of the engineers and test pilots who brought it to life.
MADE IN THE UK
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Basket.
