WESTLAND WAPITI - Two-seat
general purpose biplane developed to meet Specification 26/27 as DH.9A
replacement. Designed by Arthur Davenport to use many DH.9A components,
first prototype powered by 420 hp direct-drive Bristol Jupiter VI and
flown March 7, 1927. Production of 25 mixed-construction Westland Wapiti Is initiated
in 1927, for service with RAF squadrons in India. Ten all-metal Westland Wapiti
Us with 480 hp geared Jupiter VIII engines delivered in 1930 led to definitive
Westland Wapiti IIA. Variants that survived to serve during war were as follows:
Westland Wapiti IIA: Major production version for the RAF, originating in 1928
as variant of Westland Wapiti II. Armament of one 0.303-in (7.7-mm) Vickers forward
and one similar calibre Lewis on Scarff ring in rear cockpit; up to 580
Ib (263 kg) bombs. Detachable control column in rear cockpit for emergency
use. Provision for operation as seaplane using twin Short floats. Total
of 413 built for RAF to Specifications 1/29 and (final 70) 16/31; delivered
1929-32. Entered service in India early 1929 with Nos 11 and 39 Sqns.
Also servedjn Iraq and with the AAF at home, equipping 20 squadrons in
all. About 70 Westland Wapitis still flying in India in 1939, of which majority
soon passed to Indian Air Force (which had acquired four as its initial
equipment for No 1 Sqn in 1933). Used operationally by IAF Coastal Defence
Flights until 1942 and by second-line units (training, target-towing,
army cooperation) until 1943. Starting 1929, RAAF acquired 28 new-build
Westland Wapitis (nine as Mk lAs, later updated, and remainder Mk IIAs) supplemented
in 1937 by six ex-RAF Mk IIAs. In use at No 1 FTS in Australia until 1943,
and as tugs for DHA-G2 gliders. From 1936, RCAF received 24 ex-RAF Westland Wapiti
IIAs, of which a few served with No 10 (BR) Sqn for anti-submarine patrols
off Canada's east coast until May 1940, and others flew on support duties
until 1944.
Max speed, 135 mph (217 kmlh) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m). Rate of climb, 1,140
ft/min (5.8 mls.ec). Time to 10,000 ft (3,050 m) 9'h min. Service ceiling,
20,600ft (6,279 m). Range, 530 mis (853 km). Empty weight, 3,810 Ib (1,728
kg). Gross weight, 5,400 Ib (2,450 kg). Span, 46 ft 5 in (14.15 m). Length,
31 ft 8 in (9.65 m). Wing area, 488sqft (45.33m2).
Westland Wapiti V: A long-fuselage derivative of the Mk IIA, with 2-ft (61-cm)
increase, for army co-operation service in India, with message pick-up
hook. Production of 35 for RAF in 1930, allocated to squadrons serving
in India, of which about a dozen still operational in 1939, transferred
to IAF.
Westland Wapiti IIA (South Africa): Four Westland Wapitis to Mk IIA standard but fitted
with 480 hp geared AS Jaguar VI engines, purchased by SAAF in 1929, followed
by 27 built in SAAF Workshops at Roberts Heights, Pretoria, powered by
550 hp AS Panther IIA or Jaguar VI engines. A few survived as trainers
and 'hacks' into the wartime period.
