The Westland Whirlwind Airframe Album #4

[Wingco57]

The Westland Whirlwind

A detailed guide to the RAF's twin-engined fighter

Airframe Album # 4

Author: Richard A. Franks
 Publisher: Valiant Wings Publishing

 

Price GBP 15,95 (plus P&P) via the publisher

 
 
 
 
 
This popular series is specially aimed at the aircraft modeller. It provides a general description of the subjects development using photographs, line-drawings and artwork. Although not to be considered the definitive standard this series provides a very good insight into a certain aircraft type.

The book, what do you get:
A4 softback format, 82 pages. Text by Richard A. Franks, the colour profiles are by Richard J. Caruana. All photographs are printed in black and white. Although the general quality is good, some pics are enlarged parts of existing photographs and the quality van be somewhat vague here and there.

The book is divided into the following sections:

1. technical description:
This deals with the types construction, cockpit lay-out, engine installation, radiator-mounting. A very useful information package to spruce up your kit or even go that bit further in updating that 1/32Combat or Tigger vacform. Some very nice images from the Air Publication show all you want to know and perhaps more. The Whirlwind was ahead of it's time and it shows.
 
  



2. Evolution-prototype, production and projected variants:
A very interesting section that lists all former airframes that were built, projects and various (mostly) armament installations. Good quality dawings show the various differences clearly. This section is a great help if you want to model a certain type of Whirlwind.



3. Camouflage & Markings:
This deals with the various liveries worn by Whirlwinds. The colour profiles are by Richard J. Caruana. The type wore plenty of interesting marking options.



4. Production:
Listed are all examples built, a concise history and fate. Sadly not one Whirlwind was preserved for posterity. The Whirlwind Fighter Project is working on a full size static Whirlwind though.

5. Appendices:
This lists what kits, aftermarket, decals and literiature is available if you want to build a scale Whirlwind.

Some reservations:
This series is intened for modellers and the previous volumes provided scale drawings to 1/72, 1/48 or 1/32 scale. This volume does not, which is a pity. Although we were informed the first batch did have drawings. At LSM we think it's strange. Another observation is that previous volumes had build articles by well known modellers. None are published here. The recent Trumpeter 1/48 is only listed but nothing else. It would have been nice to wait a few more months, until it was available and a review included. The book does give the idea of a rush-job. Something the Whirlwind certainly doesn't deserve.

What do we think?
If you want to know more about this fascinating fighter and it's history as well as it's construction then this book is for you. As long as you are not expecting scale drawings, build articles or an in depth review of the new Trumpeter kit.

Recommended with reservations

Thanks to Valiant Wings Publishing for providing the review sample.

Cees Broere

[Fran]

I really love the Whirlwind!! Really nice and honest review! Thanks Cees!

[James H]

Great looking bird, and thanks for being frank with this one.