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Development of the aircraft later known as the Westland Wizard began in 1925, when some of the company's engineers drew up, in their spare time, the design for a single seat racing aircraft, the '''Westland Racer'''. This was a [[Parasol wing|parasol]] [[monoplane]], of mixed construction, with a [[Duralumin]] and steel-tube forward fuselage covered with metal and fabric skinning, a wood and fabric rear fuselage and a wooden wing. The [[Westland Widgeon (fixed wing)|Westland Widgeon]], also a monoplane, had influenced the designers in their choice of wing arrangement. After receiving permission from Westland's management, a prototype was constructed, powered by a surplus 275&nbsp;hp (205&nbsp;kW) [[Rolls-Royce Falcon|Rolls-Royce Falcon III]] engine salvaged from the prototype [[Westland Limousine]] transport after the Limousine was wrecked in a taxying accident.<ref name="James p126-7">James 1991, pp. 126–127.</ref>
Development of the aircraft later known as the Westland Wizard began in 1925, when some of the company's engineers drew up, in their spare time, the design for a single seat racing aircraft, the '''Westland Racer'''. This was a [[Parasol wing|parasol]] [[monoplane]], of mixed construction, with a [[Duralumin]] and steel-tube forward fuselage covered with metal and fabric skinning, a wood and fabric rear fuselage and a wooden wing. The [[Westland Widgeon (fixed wing)|Westland Widgeon]], also a monoplane, had influenced the designers in their choice of wing arrangement. After receiving permission from Westland's management, a prototype was constructed, powered by a surplus 275&nbsp;hp (205&nbsp;kW) [[Rolls-Royce Falcon|Rolls-Royce Falcon III]] engine salvaged from the prototype [[Westland Limousine]] transport after the Limousine was wrecked in a taxying accident.<ref name="James p126-7">James 1991, pp. 126–127.</ref>


The Racer made its maiden flight in the spring of 1926.<ref name="Mason fighter p180-1">Mason 1992, pp. 180–181.</ref> Later that year, however, it was badly damaged in an [[emergency landing]] at Westland's [[Yeovil]] factory. It was decided to rebuild the aircraft as a fighter, with a new, all-metal, fuselage. The Falcon was replaced by one of Rolls-Royce's new F.XI (later known as the [[Rolls-Royce Kestrel|Kestrel]] engines giving 490&nbsp;hp (366&nbsp;kW) in a more streamlined nose, while two [[Vickers machine gun]]s were mounted semi-externally in the fuselage sides. It retained the wooden parasol wing of the Racer, which was mounted close to the fuselage on tandem pylons on the fuselage centreline.<ref name="James p128-9">James 1991, pp. 128–129.</ref><ref name="FI8">''Flight'' 1 November 1928, p. 948.</ref> The [[Landing gear|undercarriage]] was of [[conventional landing gear|tailwheel]] type, while the thick section wing allowed the aircraft's fuel tanks to be buried in the wing, saving space in the fusealge while keeping [[Drag (physics)|wing drag]] low, also allowing a gravity feed to the engine and reducing fire risks. The [[cockpit]] was more or less in line with the trailing edge of the wing. The seat was of such a height that the pilot's eyes were in the neighbourhood of being level with the wing. This enabled him to look either over or under the wing. The height of the seat was adjustable on the ground, and the rudder bar could be set up for two positions to suit different pilots.<ref name="FI9">''Flight'' 1 November 1928, p. 949.</ref>
The Racer made its maiden flight in the spring of 1926.<ref name="Mason fighter p180-1">Mason 1992, pp. 180–181.</ref> Later that year, however, it was badly damaged in an [[emergency landing]] at Westland's [[Yeovil]] factory. It was decided to rebuild the aircraft as a fighter, with a new, all-metal, fuselage. The Falcon was replaced by one of Rolls-Royce's new F.XI (later known as the [[Rolls-Royce Kestrel|Kestrel]] engines giving 490&nbsp;hp (366&nbsp;kW) in a more streamlined nose, while two [[Vickers machine gun]]s were mounted semi-externally in the fuselage sides. It retained the wooden parasol wing of the Racer, which was mounted close to the fuselage on tandem pylons on the fuselage centreline.<ref name="James p128-9">James 1991, pp. 128–129.</ref><ref name="FI8">''Flight'' 1 November 1928, p. 948.</ref> The [[Landing gear|undercarriage]] was of [[conventional landing gear|tailwheel]] type, while the thick section wing allowed the aircraft's fuel tanks to be buried in the wing, saving space in the fuselage while keeping [[Drag (physics)|wing drag]] low, also allowing a gravity feed to the engine and reducing fire risks. The [[cockpit]] was more or less in line with the trailing edge of the wing. The seat was of such a height that the pilot's eyes were in the neighbourhood of being level with the wing. This enabled him to look either over or under the wing. The height of the seat was adjustable on the ground, and the rudder bar could be set up for two positions to suit different pilots.<ref name="FI9">''Flight'' 1 November 1928, p. 949.</ref>


The rebuilt aircraft, now known as the Wizard, flew in November 1927.<ref name="James p129">James 1991, p. 129.</ref>
The rebuilt aircraft, now known as the Wizard, flew in November 1927.<ref name="James p129">James 1991, p. 129.</ref>


The Wizard was fast and had impressive climb performance, and was tested by the [[Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment]] (A&AEE) at [[RAF Martlesham Heath]] from the end of January 1928. While the A&AEEs test pilots praised the Wizard's performance, they criticised the pilot's forward view and considered the [[aileron]] control loads too heavy.<ref name="James p130">James 1991, p. 130.</ref> During the summer of 1928, the Wizard made its first public appearance at the [[Royal Air Force|Royal Air Force Display]] at [[Hendon]], among the other new single-seater fighters. The Wizard attracted a great deal of attention, mainly because of its clean lines and generally attractive appearance, as well as its unusual layout. (Parasol monoplane designs has not been in service with the [[Royal Air Force]] since the days of the [[World War I|First World War]], when a number of [[Morane-Saulnier]]'s were used. Since then the RAF had used [[biplane]]s or at most [[Biplane|sesquiplane]]s for its fighters).<ref name="FI8"/>
The Wizard was fast and had impressive climb performance, and was tested by the [[Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment]] (A&AEE) at [[RAF Martlesham Heath]] from the end of January 1928. While the A&AEEs test pilots praised the Wizard's performance, they criticised the pilot's forward view and considered the [[aileron]] control loads too heavy.<ref name="James p130">James 1991, p. 130.</ref> During the summer of 1928, the Wizard made its first public appearance at the [[Royal Air Force|Royal Air Force Display]] at [[Hendon]], among the other new single-seater fighters. The Wizard attracted a great deal of attention, mainly because of its clean lines and generally attractive appearance, as well as its unusual layout. (Parasol monoplane designs had not been in service with the [[Royal Air Force]] since the days of the [[World War I|First World War]], when a number of [[Morane-Saulnier]]'s were used. Since then the RAF had used [[biplane]]s or at most [[Biplane|sesquiplane]]s for its fighters).<ref name="FI8"/>


The [[Air Ministry]] remained interested in the Wizard and gave Westland a contract to further develop the Wizard. It was fitted with a new, all-metal wing of increased span and reduced [[chord (aircraft)|chord]]. In order to improve the view for the pilot, the wing was fitted with a much thinner centre section and was mounted on more conventional cabane strutting. It had new inset ailerons. The engine was also replaced by a [[Supercharger|supercharged]] 500&nbsp;hp (373&nbsp;kW) Rolls-Royce F.XIS. In this form it was known as the '''Wizard II'''.<ref name="James p130"/>
The [[Air Ministry]] remained interested in the Wizard and gave Westland a contract to further develop the Wizard. It was fitted with a new, all-metal wing of increased span and reduced [[chord (aircraft)|chord]]. In order to improve the view for the pilot, the wing was fitted with a much thinner centre section and was mounted on more conventional cabane strutting. It had new inset ailerons. The engine was also replaced by a [[Supercharger|supercharged]] 500&nbsp;hp (373&nbsp;kW) Rolls-Royce F.XIS. In this form it was known as the '''Wizard II'''.<ref name="James p130"/>
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==Specifications (Mk.II)==
==Specifications (Mk.II)==
[[File:Westland_Wizard_3-View_L'Air_January_1,1929.png|thumb|Westland Wizard 3-View drawing from L'Air January 1,1929]]
[[File:Westland_Wizard_3-View_L'Air_January_1,1929.png|thumb|Westland Wizard 3-View drawing from L'Air January 1,1929]]
{{Aircraft specs
{{aircraft specifications
|plane or copter?=plane
|jet or prop?=prop
|ref=The Westland "Wizard".<ref name="FI950">''Flight'' 1 November 1920, p. 950.</ref>
|ref=The Westland "Wizard".<ref name="FI950">''Flight'' 1 November 1920, p. 950.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|crew=1
⚫
|length ft=26
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⚫
|length in=10
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⚫
|span ft=39
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|span in=6
⚫
|length main=26 ft 10 in
|span note=
⚫
|length alt=8.18 m
⚫
|height ft=9
|span main=39 ft 6 in
|height in=4
⚫
|span alt=12.04 m
|height main=9 ft 4 in
|height note=
|wing area sqft=238
⚫
|height alt=2.85 m
|area main=238 sq ft
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|area alt= 22.1 m²
|airfoil=RAF 34<ref name="James p127">James 1991, p. 127.</ref>
|airfoil=RAF 34<ref name="James p127">James 1991, p. 127.</ref>
|empty weight main=2,467 lb
|empty weight lb=2467
|empty weight alt= 1,121 kg
|empty weight note=
|loaded weight main=3,326 lb
|gross weight lb=3326
|loaded weight alt=1,512 kg
|gross weight note=
⚫
|max takeoff weight lb=
|useful load main=
⚫
|max takeoff weight note=
|useful load alt=
|fuel capacity={{cvt|68|impgal|USgal l|0}} fuel ; {{cvt|5|impgal|USgal l|0}}
|max takeoff weight main=
|more general=
⚫
|max takeoff weight alt=
<!--
⚫
|max takeoff weight more=
Powerplant
|more general= '''[[Fuel tank|Fuel capacity]]''': 68 gallons (310 litres)<br />
-->
*'''Oil capacity''': 5 gallons (22.7 litres)
|eng1 number=1
|engine (prop)= [[Rolls-Royce Kestrel|Rolls-Royce F.XI]]
|eng1 name=[[Rolls-Royce F.XI]]
|type of prop=liquid-cooled [[V12 engine]]
|eng1 type=V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine
|number of props=1
|power main=490 hp
|eng1 hp=490
|eng1 note=
|power alt=366 kW

|power original=
|prop blade number=2
|power more=
|propeller or rotor?=<!-- options: propeller/rotor -->
|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|propellers=
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|number of propellers per engine=
|prop dia note=
|propeller diameter main=
<!--
|propeller diameter alt=
Performance
|max speed main=188 mph
-->
|max speed alt=163 knots, 303 km/h
|max speed more= at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
|max speed mph=188
|cruise speed main=
|max speed note=at {{cvt|10000|ft|0}}
|cruise speed alt=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed more
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|stall speed main=
|stall speed mph=
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|never exceed speed mph=
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|never exceed speed note=
|range miles=
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|range main=
|range note=
|range alt=
|combat range miles=
|ferry range main=
|combat range note=
|ferry range alt=
|ferry range miles=
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|ferry range note=
|endurance=30 minutes at ground level, plus 2 hours at 15,000 ft (4570m)
|endurance=30 minutes at ground level ; plus 2 hours at {{cvt|15000|ft|0|}}
|ceiling main= 17,500 ft
|ceiling ft=17500
|ceiling alt= 5,300 m<ref name="James p132">James 1991, p. 132.</ref>
|ceiling note=<ref name="James p132">James 1991, p. 132.</ref>
|climb rate main=1,945 ft/min
|climb rate ftmin=1945
|climb rate alt=9.88 m/s
|climb rate note=at {{cvt|10000|ft|0}}
|time to altitude=
|climb rate more= at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
|loading main=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|loading alt=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|thrust/weight=
|power/mass main=
|power/mass=
|power/mass alt=
|more performance=
|more performance=
<!--
⚫
|guns= 2× [[Vickers machine gun]]s
Armament
⚫
|bombs=4× 20 pound [[Explosive material|high explosive]] bombs.
-->
|avionics=
⚫
|guns= 2 × [[Vickers machine gun]]s
⚫
|bombs=4 × 20 pound [[Explosive material|high explosive]] bombs.
}}
}}


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[[Category:Westland aircraft|Wizard]]
[[Category:Westland aircraft|Wizard]]
[[Category:British fighter aircraft 1920–1929]]
[[Category:1920s British fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1927]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1927]]
[[Category:Parasol-wing aircraft]]

Latest revision as of 18:17, 7 October 2022

Westland Wizard
Original Falcon-engined form
Role Fighter aircraft
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Westland Aircraft
First flight November 1927
Introduction 1928
Retired 1928
Status Retired
Number built 1

The Westland Wizard was Westland Aircraft's first attempt to produce a monoplane fighter. The project was privately funded and the prototype design was done in the spare time of the company's engineers.[1] This all happened during 1926, with high-speed performance as the primary goal.

Design and development[edit]

Development of the aircraft later known as the Westland Wizard began in 1925, when some of the company's engineers drew up, in their spare time, the design for a single seat racing aircraft, the Westland Racer. This was a parasol monoplane, of mixed construction, with a Duralumin and steel-tube forward fuselage covered with metal and fabric skinning, a wood and fabric rear fuselage and a wooden wing. The Westland Widgeon, also a monoplane, had influenced the designers in their choice of wing arrangement. After receiving permission from Westland's management, a prototype was constructed, powered by a surplus 275 hp (205 kW) Rolls-Royce Falcon III engine salvaged from the prototype Westland Limousine transport after the Limousine was wrecked in a taxying accident.[2]

The Racer made its maiden flight in the spring of 1926.[3] Later that year, however, it was badly damaged in an emergency landing at Westland's Yeovil factory. It was decided to rebuild the aircraft as a fighter, with a new, all-metal, fuselage. The Falcon was replaced by one of Rolls-Royce's new F.XI (later known as the Kestrel engines giving 490 hp (366 kW) in a more streamlined nose, while two Vickers machine guns were mounted semi-externally in the fuselage sides. It retained the wooden parasol wing of the Racer, which was mounted close to the fuselage on tandem pylons on the fuselage centreline.[4][5] The undercarriage was of tailwheel type, while the thick section wing allowed the aircraft's fuel tanks to be buried in the wing, saving space in the fuselage while keeping wing drag low, also allowing a gravity feed to the engine and reducing fire risks. The cockpit was more or less in line with the trailing edge of the wing. The seat was of such a height that the pilot's eyes were in the neighbourhood of being level with the wing. This enabled him to look either over or under the wing. The height of the seat was adjustable on the ground, and the rudder bar could be set up for two positions to suit different pilots.[6]

The rebuilt aircraft, now known as the Wizard, flew in November 1927.[7]

The Wizard was fast and had impressive climb performance, and was tested by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at RAF Martlesham Heath from the end of January 1928. While the A&AEEs test pilots praised the Wizard's performance, they criticised the pilot's forward view and considered the aileron control loads too heavy.[8] During the summer of 1928, the Wizard made its first public appearance at the Royal Air Force Display at Hendon, among the other new single-seater fighters. The Wizard attracted a great deal of attention, mainly because of its clean lines and generally attractive appearance, as well as its unusual layout. (Parasol monoplane designs had not been in service with the Royal Air Force since the days of the First World War, when a number of Morane-Saulnier's were used. Since then the RAF had used biplanes or at most sesquiplanes for its fighters).[5]

The Air Ministry remained interested in the Wizard and gave Westland a contract to further develop the Wizard. It was fitted with a new, all-metal wing of increased span and reduced chord. In order to improve the view for the pilot, the wing was fitted with a much thinner centre section and was mounted on more conventional cabane strutting. It had new inset ailerons. The engine was also replaced by a supercharged 500 hp (373 kW) Rolls-Royce F.XIS. In this form it was known as the Wizard II.[8]

The Wizard II had lower performance than the earlier version, and did not impress the Air Ministry sufficiently for it to override its long standing preference for biplane fighters.[1]

Specifications (Mk.II)[edit]

Westland Wizard 3-View drawing from L'Air January 1,1929

Data from The Westland "Wizard".[9]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 26 ft 10 in (8.18 m)
  • Wingspan: 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
  • Wing area: 238 sq ft (22.1 m2)
  • Airfoil: RAF 34[10]
  • Empty weight: 2,467 lb (1,119 kg)
  • Gross weight: 3,326 lb (1,509 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 68 imp gal (82 US gal; 309 L) fuel ; 5 imp gal (6 US gal; 23 L)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce F.XI V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 490 hp (370 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 188 mph (303 km/h, 163 kn) at 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
  • Endurance: 30 minutes at ground level ; plus 2 hours at 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
  • Service ceiling: 17,500 ft (5,300 m) [11]
  • Rate of climb: 1,945 ft/min (9.88 m/s) at 10,000 ft (3,048 m)

Armament

See also[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Westland Wizard.
  1. ^ a b "Westland Wizard Mk.II". Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  2. ^ James 1991, pp. 126–127.
  3. ^ Mason 1992, pp. 180–181.
  4. ^ James 1991, pp. 128–129.
  5. ^ a b Flight 1 November 1928, p. 948.
  6. ^ Flight 1 November 1928, p. 949.
  7. ^ James 1991, p. 129.
  8. ^ a b James 1991, p. 130.
  9. ^ Flight 1 November 1920, p. 950.
  10. ^ James 1991, p. 127.
  11. ^ James 1991, p. 132.
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