Westland Welkin High-Altitude Interceptor / Heavy Fighter (1944)
The Westland Welkin was a promising twin-engine high-altitude interceptor designed in anticipation of another Luftwaffe bombing campaign over the English mainland.
Designed by W.E.W. Petter, the Welkin was first flown on November 1st, 1942 as a development to fulfill Specification F.4/40 requiring a new high-altitude fighter for the Royal Air Force. The Welkin fitted a single pilot in the extreme forward portion of a streamlined central fuselage. The pilot was afforded good views from his raised position. Engines were fitted to nacelles under each high-mounted monoplane wing. Wings were a distinctive characteristic of the Welkin, formed as long-span, high-aspect ratio assemblies emanating from the forward fuselage. Powerplants were of Rolls-Royce-brand Merlin 76 series, liquid-cooled, inline piston engines delivering up to 1,233 horsepower each. The empennage consisted of a conventional "T-style" arrangement. Armament centered on nose-mounted 4 x 20mm Hispano cannons fitted to an underside-fuselage tray for ease-of-maintenance, repair and reloading while protecting the pilot from the flashing of his cannons if fired in the dark.
Performance specifications for the Welkin were impressive, allowing for top speeds of up to 330 miles-per-hour. The Welkin was one of the first Royal Air Force aircraft design attempts to feature a pressurized cockpit, allowing the aircraft to reach altitudes upwards of 44,000 feet but at the same time requiring the use of a high-altitude suit and the wearing of an oxygen mask. The long span wings were essential in providing for stabilized high-altitude flying.
The Welkin was introduced into active service in May of 1944 as the F.Mk I with Royal Air Force's Fighter Interception Group at Wittering. Two prototype night-fighters also appeared under the designation of NF.Mk IIA based on Specification F.9/43 and were to be of a twin-seat derivative based on the single-seat interceptor model but instead outfitted for night-interception sorties. The night-fighter form never materialized into production examples.
Total production of the base Welkin F.Mk I interceptor totaled 75 examples along with 26 other airframes (sans engines) completed. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Westland Welkin
High-Altitude Interceptor / Heavy Fighter
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Westland - UK
Initial Year of Service: 1944
Production: 75
Focus Model: Westland Welkin F.Mk I
Crew: 1
Length: 41.57ft (12.67m)
Width: 69.88ft (21.30m)
Height: 15.75ft (4.80m)
Weight (Empty): 8,307lbs (3,768kg)
Weight (MTOW): 11,409lbs (5,175kg)
Powerplant: 2 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 76 liquid-cooled inline piston engines delivering 1,233 horsepower each.
Maximum Speed: 388mph (625kmh; 337kts)
Maximum Range: 1,200miles (1,931km)
Service Ceiling: 44,029ft (13,420m; 8.3miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)
Hardpoints: 0
Armament Suite:
4 x 20mm Hispano cannons in nose
Variants:
Welkin F.Mk I - Base Production Designation
Welkin NF.Mk II - Two -Seat Night-fighter Prototype tested in 1945.
Operators: United Kingdom
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