Westland Wyvern
Westland Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1946 · fighter
The Westland Wyvern was a British carrier-based strike aircraft notable for being one of very few turboprop-powered fighters to enter operational service. Its contra-rotating propellers and powerful Armstrong Siddeley Python engine gave it exceptional low-altitude performance.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboprop, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.88 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- British carrier strike aircraft with contra-rotating propellers
- Turboprop-powered naval strike fighter
- Large paddle-blade contra-props on nose
Large contra-rotating propeller assembly on the nose, mid-mounted tapered wing with folding tips, and a long fuselage with a single bubble canopy. The enormous propeller disc and turboprop exhaust stub are unmistakable.
Specifications
- The Westland Wyvern has a length of 12.88 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.41 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 616 km/h (383 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Originally designed around piston engines, the Wyvern was re-engined with turboprops during a lengthy development program that stretched from 1946 to service entry in 1953. Development was troubled by engine problems and handling issues. The Wyvern S.4 entered service with the Fleet Air Arm and saw combat during the 1956 Suez Crisis, conducting ground attack sorties against Egyptian targets.
Variants
The Wyvern TF.1 was the initial turboprop prototype; the Wyvern S.4 was the production strike variant. An earlier piston-engine version (the W.34) was also flown but not produced.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm from 1953 to 1958. It served with 827 Naval Air Squadron and others, seeing its only combat at Suez in 1956. It was retired due to the limited utility of turboprop strike aircraft in the jet age.
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