26 HEAVY FIGHTERS OF WW2
Above: After retirement in December 1943, all
but one of the surviving Whirlwinds were sent
to 18 Maintenance Unit at Dumfries, Scotland,
where they were scrapped. The sole exception,
P7048, was retained by Westland and was used
as a company hack for a short time before being
withdrawn in 1947 and scrapped.Left: In the summer of 1942, both squadrons’
Whirlwinds were fitted with racks to carry
two 250lb or 500lb bombs. Nicknamed
‘Whirlibombers’, these undertook low-level
cross-channel ‘Rhubarb’ sweeps, attacking
locomotives, bridges, shipping and other targets.Right: The Whirlwind’s twin engines meant that
seriously damaged aircraft were able to return
from dangerous bombing missions over occupied
France and Belgium with one engine knocked
out. The placement of the wings and engines
ahead of the cockpit allowed the aircraft to
absorb a great deal of damage, while the cockpit
area remained largely intact. The rugged frame
of the Whirlwind gave pilots greater protection
than contemporary aircraft during crash
landings and ground accidents.