The Westland Wirral was designed in 1936-7 to fulfil the role of naval bomber, entering service in 1938.
Although it’s ungainly looks and long spindly landing gear earnt it the nickname ‘Ostrich’, the Wirral was lethal to medium warships when in skilled hands, and it saw use as a tank destroyer once equipped with rockets.
Although the Fleet Air Arm retired the type in 1943, the Wirral was used by commonwealth air forces up until the late 1940s.
Specifications
General Characteristics
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- Wingspan 41.6ft (12.7m)
- Length 28.5ft (8.7m)
- Height 13.9ft (4.2m)
- Empty Weight 5,796lbs (2,629kg)
- Loaded Weight 8,432lbs (3,825kg)
Performance
- Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.072
- Wing Loading 16.8lbs/ft2 (82.0kg/m2)
- Wing Area 501.9ft2 (46.6m2)
- Drag Points 2968
Parts
- Number of Parts 106
- Control Surfaces 10
- Performance Cost 550
