Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA39101
Westland Whirlwind HAR.Mk 10 Diecast Model
RAF No.22 Sqn, XJ729, RAF Finningley, England, 1976 | Limited Edition
2400
Pieces Worldwide |
|
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Westland Whirlwind HAR.Mk 10 | | 10.5" | | 8.75" |
The arrival of the Whirlwind Mk10 with 22 Sqn in the latter part of 1962 saw a significant increase in the capability of SAR Helicopters. With up to a 30% increase in fuel/pay load over the earlier piston engined Whirlwinds. The aircraft had a greatly enhanced range and was able to respond more successfully to a wider range of tasks. There was no promised night flying rescue task because the Whirlwind lacked appropriate equipment such as auto-stabilisation, target illumination, radar etc for the role in complete darkness. The policy was therefore to maintain a 15-minute readiness throughout the hours of daylight and a one-hour readiness at night. In practice most of the night operations requested were in fact carried out. XJ729 served with 22 Sqn from 1962 until it was withdrawn from service in 1981. It was later sold into private ownership, re-registered as G-BVGE and restored in its former SAR colours. Based in Ireland it is currently the only Whirlwind still flying.
Designed as a British-built version of the Sikorsky S-55 Chickasaw, the Westland Whirlwind was licensed in 1950 and first flew in August 1953. Used by the Royal Air Force's Fleet Air Arm, early models served as search and rescue aircraft, or in other non-combat roles such as communications. Equipped with more powerful engines, Whirlwinds also served as anti-submarine aircraft; they could either by equipped as "hunters" (carrying submarine detecting dipping Sonar) or as "killers" (carrying a single torpedo). The Whirlwind can carry six stretchers or 10 passengers, and can also be used to carry freight. Westland built 400+ Whirlwinds, 100 of which were exported. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 H-19/Whirlwind is constructed almost entirely in diecast metal with some plastic components used for scale replication such as its large multi-window canopy and rotor blades. The cargo bay door slides opens to reveal interior crew seating with pilot figures clearly seen through the top mounted canopy. An unusual feature of this model are the two easily changeable all metal rotor head assemblies that allow the model to be display with rotor blades folded back for storage or deployed for flight. The series covers the radial-engined Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw variants and the turbine-engined Westland Whirlwind variants.
© Copyright 2003-2016 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
