| 16-5-1955 |
Originally
planned as a mark 3 with four others it was taken from the production
line incomplete to be converted to MK5 configuration. The MK5 was
developed to accept the Alvis Leonoides Major 755 air cooled radial
radial piston engine to overcome the serious lack of power of the
American Pratt and Whitney engined earlier versions. At this time
on the strength of Westland Aircraft Ltd experimental dept. |
| 26-05-55 |
Trial installation of the Leonides
Major Engine
|
Above:XJ396, Sister prototype
to XJ398 originally built as MK5's. Both looked identical. (Photo
GKN Westland helicopters archive
|
| 1-06-55 |
Transferred
to 'Rear Admiral Reserve Aircraft', a paper transfer to indicate
that it would not enter FAA operational service |
| 29-06-55 |
Taken off
charge by R.N |
| 27-02-56 |
Struck
of charge by R.N |
| 22-12-56 |
Transfered to Westlands
charge. |
| 4-05-57 |
First flight
after being retained by westlands for HAR5 engine developement trials.
In the interim the MK5 sub type was abandoned and the HAS7 became
the next FAA mark. Around this time we beleive '398was trial fitted
with an Armstrong Siddley AS181 turbo shaft engine which was Westlands
first use of turbine power in helicopters. |
| 1-08-59 |
When it
was decided the AS181 power plant was not to go into the production,
conversion to the General Electric T58 power plant commenced and
'398 remained with Westlands for further development to De-Haviland
Gnome engine configuration |
Above:XJ398
as converted to De Haviland Gnome format and painted for S.B.A.C
airshow (Farnborough) (photo GKN Westland helicopter archive)
|
| 28-02-59 |
First flight with GE
T58 Engine |
| ---09-59 |
First
flight with De Haviland GnomeEngine |
| 21-11-59 |
Transfer
to De Haviland Engines at Hatfield |
| 8-12-59 |
Return
to Westlands, YeovilFollowing transfers Effected: |
|
Hatfield
17-12-59
25-2-60
18-3-60
14-4-60
|
Yeovil
18-1-60
12-3-60
11-4-60
6-5-60
|
| 23-12-60 |
Transfer
to A&AEE Boscome Down 'D' Squadron (Rotary Wing) for handling/Engineeering/Performance
trials (on MOD/PE charge) |
| 13/06/61 |
Return
to WHL yeovil by road to investigate partial seizure of main reduction
engine gearbox |
| 12-09-61 |
Conversion
to "Remote Computer" engine control system standard. |
| 30-01-62 |
Transfer
to De Haviland engines, Hatfield for mainenance and development
of the Gnome control system |
| 4-09-62 |
Transfer
to Bristol Siddeley engines (BSE) Filton, continuation of gnome
control system development. |
| 29-05-63 |
Engine
Off landing, suffered CAT4 damage and subsequently repaired. |
| 23-5-66 |
XJ398
appears to have been stored at this time. Moved back to Westlands
at Weston Super Mare |
| 28-06-68 |
Returned
to Yeovil from Weston Super Mare where conversion to 'almost' HAR10
standard undertaken. Flight tested at weston Super Mare. |
| 30-07-68 |
Transfered
to Boscome Down for Empire test pilots school. |
| 2-11-71 |
Cat
3 damage, No details. |
| 15-09-72 |
Transfer
to RAE Bedford by air, rotary wing continuation training. |
| 8-04-74 |
Transfer
RNAS Culdrose - Trials of RFD/GQ "Aero Conical Canopy". |
| 10-04-75 |
Sold
out of service to Autair Ltd. |
| 23-04-75 |
Registered
as G-BDBZ to Autair Ltd, Luton (registered as WS55 series 2) |
| 19-05-78 |
Moved
by road to CSE/Oats Kidlington for GI duties. |
| 25-08-99 |
Having
cared for it for over 20 years XJ398 was donated to YHPG by Oxford
Aviation College, Kidlington and moved to the Yorkshire Air Museum
by road. |
 |
| Right:XJ398
being loaded onto transporter at Oxford Aviation College. |
| 15-04-00 |
 |
XJ398's
engine started for the first time in preservation (we beleive
the first MK10 to be started in a UK museum). Two further engine
starts followed on 15/4 all thanks to pilot Derek Jones, Whirlwind
pilot of long standing (RAF & Bristows Helicopters) who travelled
to the event from Aberdeen.
|
| Left:
XJ398's engine start at 2000 helicopter weekend (photo Alan Beattie0 |
 (Photo
Mike Fitch) |
XJ398
arrived at Elvington just in time for the 1999 Airshow.
It is
highly appropriate that '398 is housed alongside XP345 which flew
the last operational Whirlwind flight at Akrotiri in Cyprus in
March 1982. The first and last of the breed will now see out their
retirement under the same roof. if you have any further detail
to add to the above we would be most pleased and interested to
hear from you.
|
