Westland Wessex
The six-seat Westland IV
light transport of 1928 was a braced high-wing monoplane, powered
originally by three 95 hp (71 kW) ADC Cirrus Mk III inline engines and
accommodating a crew of two in an enclosed flight deck with a separate
four passenger cabin. First flown on 22nd February 1929, it was followed
by a second aircraft with 105 hp (78 kW) ADC Cirrus Hermes I engines. The
construction of two more aircraft had started, but these were completed
instead with three 105 hp (78 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major I radial
engines and given the name Wessex, the two Westland IVs then being
converted to this standard.
Six more examples of the
Wessex were built, the last four each having a metal-skinned forward
fuselage and more powerful Genet Major IA engines; one of them, for
service with Portsmouth, Southsea and Isle of Wight Aviation, had reduced
baggage space to allow for the carriage of six passengers. These aircraft
proved reliable and most were in service for a number of years; the last
two, operated by Air Pilots Training at Hamble, were finally withdrawn
from use in 1940. With a wing span of 57 ft 6 in (17.53 m), late versions
of the Wessex had a maximum speed of 122 mph (196 km/h).
Power Plant: Three 95 h.p. Aircraft Disposal Company Cirrus
III engines
Span: 57 ft 6 in
Length: 38 ft 0 in
Height: 9 ft 6 in
Weight (All-Up): 6,300 lb
Speed: 118 m.p.h.
Crew: 2
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