Westland Wapiti

Westland Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1927 · bomber

The Westland Wapiti was a British two-seat general-purpose biplane that served as the standard RAF army co-operation and light bombing aircraft in the late 1920s and 1930s. It was designed to incorporate components from the de Havilland DH.9A to reduce production costs.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	9.65 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Two-seat interwar biplane general-purpose type
Bristol Jupiter or Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial
Open cockpits with Scarff ring for rear gunner

A conventional interwar biplane with staggered wings of equal span, a large radial engine, open cockpits, and fixed gear. Distinguish from contemporaries by its wooden construction and the reuse of DH.9A wing components giving it a slightly dated appearance.

Specifications

The Westland Wapiti has a length of 9.65 m (32 ft).
It has a wingspan of 14.15 m (46 ft).
Its maximum speed is 225 km/h (140 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Entering RAF service in 1928, the Wapiti served extensively on the North-West Frontier of India in policing and army support operations, earning a reputation for reliability in harsh conditions. It was replaced by the Westland Wallace and later the Hawker Audax.

Variants

Variants include the Wapiti I through Wapiti VIII with different engine and equipment fits; the Wapiti V was an armed trainer and the Wapiti VII had a metal fuselage.

Where you'll see it

Served with multiple RAF squadrons at home and overseas, notably in India and the Middle East; also exported to Australia, Canada, China, and South Africa.

Related aircraft

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