A5 Westland Wapiti

The Wapiti was ordered in 1928 as a light bomber to replace the DH 9 and DH 9A. The order was for 38 aircraft and these were delivered between April 1929 and March 1931. Serial numbers were A5-1 to 38. The first nine aircraft were Mk 1s with 420 hp Bristol Jupiter VIII engines, but all subsequent machines were fitted with the more powerful 550 hp Jupiter XFA engines and a split-axle undercarriage. The earlier aircraft were upgraded to the later standard.

Between the wars the Wapitis served with Nos 1 and 3 Squadrons, Central Flying School and other units, but front-line service effectively ended in 1935 with the arrival of the Hawker Demon, and the Wapiti was relegated to the training role including service with No 1 Flying Training School.

The type's service was extended with the purchase of six ex-RAF machines in 1937. These were given the serial numbers A5-39 to 44. One of the Wapiti's final duties was as a tug for the locally designed DHA-G glider prototypes.

TECHNICAL DATA: Westland Wapiti IIA

DESCRIPTION:

Two-seat general-purpose light bomber.

POWER PLANT:

One 550hp Bristol Jupiter XFA.

DIMENSIONS:

Span 14.15 m (46ft 5in); length 9.90 m (31ft 8in); height 3.61 m (11ft 10in).

WEIGHTS:

Empty, 1442 kg; loaded, 2449 kg.

PERFORMANCE:

Speed 214 km/h (133mph); range 580 km (360 miles); ceiling 20,000ft (6096 m).

ARMAMENT:

One fixed Vickers gun forward, one Lewis aft; Bomb load 227 kg (500lbs). Back to top

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