The New Westland Whirlwind Fighter Replica…

[Mr BlueSky]

I’ll try to keep this brief… http://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/wink.gif

If you don’t already know, Mr Mike Eastman aka Firebex and the Aircraft Restoration Group are presently collecting all available information to construct a full sized, aluminium replica of the Westland Whirlwind Fighter.

The aircraft, without engines is estimated to cost with materials and overheads somewhere in the region of £40-45K labour free. It is envisaged to start cutting metal towards the back end of this year. An expected build time to produce a free-standing replica of the Whirlwind in 4 -5 years…

Here’s the original thread…

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=96122&page=4 (http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=96122&page=4)

Also we’re looking for any Ground crew who worked on operational units or maintenance units on the Westland Whirlwind P9 Fighter.

Also any memories of fitters etc involved in the building of the aircraft at Westlands.

All details and information will be used for displays to go alongside the Westland Whirlwind Fighter planned to commence build winter 2011/2012

Any photo's greatly appreciated.

Westland Whirlwind Fighter Project

Email:
[email protected] ([email protected])

Best Regards
Stuart

[Phantom Phixer]

I can't believe no one has commented on what a great idea this is.

If this succeds it will fill a large gap in the museum world.

I know its early day's but any idea where it would be displayed once completed ?

[Mr BlueSky]

I'm use to it, people have heard it all before and in the end it's all gone pear shaped, so they're all probably waiting until there's something of more substance to look at then word's... ;)

The last Whirly project fell foul of the Curse of the Whirlwind, much like the 4 before that, but this time it feels alot different, doors are opening more freely than before, information is coming along in steady flow, and alot of people are helping to bring this to a successful ending... :)

I've a good feeling that this time the Whirlwind will come back to the land of the living... :ok:

Don't know who would have her when finished, I would like to think the RAF Museum, then again, perhaps Westland could have her as their gate guard... ;)

[JW411]

What a shame you didn't think of this 20 years ago. I could have put you in touch with Gp Capt John Wray who had 137 Sqn at one time. Sadly, he is no longer with us. He had a whole pile of Whirlwind photographs in one of his albums.

He reckoned that the Whirlwind was a fantastic ground attack aircraft and related many a tale of launching off from Manston and causing a considerable amount of mayhem on the other side of the Channel.

I would take it as a given that you are not sitting upon two zero-timed RR Peregrines still wrapped in grease?

[Sir George Cayley]

At last, people with taste and an appreciation of beauty:ok:

I'll double my efforts with the lottery so I can help.

All we need now is a team to compete with a Hornet;)

Sir George Cayley

[Mr BlueSky]

"What a shame you didn't think of this 20 years ago. I could have put you in touch with Gp Capt John Wray who had 137 Sqn at one time. Sadly, he is no longer with us. He had a whole pile of Whirlwind photographs in one of his albums."

A great shame that he's not here anymore, it's also a great shame that in all probability his photo album will never see the light of day again...:sad:

"I would take it as a given that you are not sitting upon two zero-timed RR Peregrines still wrapped in grease?"

No, afraid not, but there's now talk of replicating the Peregrines and adding them to the Whirly replica...;)

[Mr BlueSky]

"At last, people with taste and an appreciation of beauty":ok:

Nice of you to say, she is a looker...;)

Will do...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Secudus/th_SmallWhirly.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Secudus/SmallWhirly.jpg)

[PPRuNe Pop]

Mr Blue Sky,

Would you care to resize that pic to 850x850. It looks very good quality and I am sure it would stand it. Give it a try!

PPP

[Dave Gibbings]

For info:
they have a website:
http://www.whirlwindfighterproject.webs.com/ (http://www.whirlwindfighterproject.webs.com/)

Its worth a look, Like with all these sites you will be asked to register, but it does'nt cost anything, and I don't think they are pushing the begging bowl too hard.
They probably realise that if it does'nt sustain itself with its own appeal, it won't survive.
Registering will simply mean another vote of approval, and that would be appreciated, and give access to 'what's going on'.

By the way, not a gate guardian please, they do deteriorate so rapidly.
I would hope once the bona fides and quality of the project were able to stand scrutiny, the RAF Museum would take an interest.

[Firebex]

Firstly many thanks for the glowing introduction and just to update our Website is ;www.whirlwindfighterproject.org (http://www.whirlwindfighterproject.org)

Yes its free to join and yes we dont demand membership fees but we would hope members will support the project by buying some of our merchandise in the shop and some of our limited edition members first items.

Membership also entitles those joined up to be on top of the latest news about the build ,where our sales and exhibiton stand is going to be and also to have some input into the project.

We are currently looking at details on crash sites of whirlwinds during ww2.A couple have been excavated already but some have not also there are one or two lying in shallow water we have a great interest in.Any details or information or contributions please let us know.

We are also looking for individuals and or companies who may be interested in sponsorship in exchange for free publicity etc.Sponsorship doe snot have to be direct monmey but materails needed for the build such as sheets of aluminium,rivets,nuts and bolts,Paint etc. for example someone is generously sponsoring the costs of our web site,a well known company has said they will paint the completed aircraft in authentic markings free of charge but we must supply the paint. Westlands have very generously already sponsored our official project logo as well as shortly giving us access to material on the construction of the aircraft drawings etc that still exists.We have managed to gather a lot of material already including some video footage but more is always welcomed including photographs as it is suprising what can be gleaned from close of pictures of the structure and insides. We also have a wants list for instruments and items in the cockpit and some of you may come accross items at aerojumbles or even known at car boot sales.

For regula rupdates and information and access to our archives visit our site,Hope to see you there soon.

Mike E