Westland Wessex HU.5

A plastic model of the Westland Wessex HU.5 helicopter was made in 1:48 scale. The work got a distinction at the 11th International Festival of Plastic Reduction Models Bytom 2014 in Poland. At this exhibition, the model also took second place in the "Euro Cup" in the S-12 class.

The Westland Wessex was a light combat and transport helicopter. It was a licensed British version of the American Sikorsky S-58 helicopter. One of the major changes introduced by the British was the replacement of the radial engine with two turboshaft engines. The Westland Wessex was the first in the world gas turbine helicopter being produced a large-scale.

The Westland Wessex helicopter the first flew in May 1957. Production lasted in the years 1958-1970. In that time they were made 382 copies. It was produced in various variants: for transporting soldiers, for search and rescue operations and for fighting submarines. It could take up to 16 people or up to 1,814 kg (4000 lb) of cargo on board.

Some technical data (version HU.5):

• Hull length: 14.75 m (48.39 ft),
• Height: 4.93 m (16.17 ft),
• Rotor diameter: 17.07 m (56 ft),
• Powerplant: 2 turbo-shaft engines, each with a capacity of 1369 HP (1007 kW),
• Take-off weight: 6124 kg (13,501 lb),
• Empty weight: 3767 kg (8305 lb),
• Service ceiling: 3048 m (10,000 ft),
• Range: 628 km (390 mi),
• Max speed: 212 km/h (132 mi).

Sources:

• "Encyklopedia Lotnictwa. Technika Typy Dane" Group work. Editor in Chief: mgr inż. Witold Wodziczko, 2nd edition.
• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westland_Wessex
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westland_Wessex
• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silnik_turbowałowy

21 Mar 2014