History
The Westland Wasp was, just as the Westland Scout, the result of the same development program P.531 of Saunders-Roe or SaRo. Both types originate somehow from the Saunders-Roe Skeeter, a light helicopter, which was a development of the Cierva Aurogiro. In 1959 SaRo merged in Westland Aircraft.
The Skeeter was equipped with a piston engine, whereas the Scout/Wasp were equipped with a turbine engine.
Development
Because of the ongoing submarine mid fifties threat the Royal Navy made a list of requirements, MATCH (=Manned Torpedo Carrying Helicopter). This aircraft had to attack submarines with torpedoes.
The SaRo P.531 was developed based on these requirements and it made its maiden flight on July 20, 1958.
The P.531 was intensively tested by the Royal Navy and also several types of under carriage were tested. In September 1961 Westland received an order for two aircraft,designated Sea Scout. The Sea Scout made it's first flight at the end of October 1961.
Soon an definite order for 98 aircraft followed and also orders were received from abroad, e.g. the Netherlands, Brasilia and Indonesia. A total of 133 examples was built.
The Wasp was in essence the same as the Westland Scout, which was developed for the Royal Army. main difference was the four wheeled under carriage, which could be used to manoeuvre on a flight deck. The rotor blades were constructed in such a way they could press the Wasp on the flight deck, so the aircraft could be anchored to the deck.,.
Further extra fuel tanks in tail and under the floor were added; tail and rotor blades were fold-able and a hoist was available at starboard and load could be carried with a sling. Three passengers could be transported and for emergencies a stretcher could be carried.
Later inflatable floats were added and also provisions to carry and launch the Nord SS11 and also the SS12 missile.
Versions.
- Sea Scout HAS.1:
- the original designation.
- Wasp HAS.1:
- the later designation.
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length with rotor | 12,29 m | Rotor diameter: | 9,83 m |
| Height: | 2,72 m | Tail Rotor diameter: | - m |
| Weights: | |||
| Empty weight: | 1566 kg | Full weight: | 2495 kg |
| Performances: | |||
| Max. speed: | 193 km/hr | Rate of climb: | |
| Range: | 488 km | Service ceiling: | 3720 m |
| Miscellaneous: | |||
| Engine type: | One Rolls Royce Nimbus F02BS-503 rated 710 hp. | ||
| Crew: | Two men. | ||
| Armament: | (max. 245 kg) Two Mk 44 or Mk 46 homing torpedoes, bombs or depth bombs. | ||
The Wasp helicopters were stationed aboard the Dutch frigates with as main task ASW, for which they could cary one (or two) torpedoes. The Wasp was also used for transport and rescue.
Westland Wasp 235 in the tradition room RNlAS at De Kooy, photographed in July 2007.
This particular aircraft is an e British aircraft, obtained in 1994: See also www.marineluchtvaartdienst.nl
Westland Wasp 235 in the tradition room RNlAS at De Kooy, photographed in July 2007.
Westland Wasp 235 in the tradition room RNlAS at De Kooy, photographed in July 2007.
| Serial
Serial
|
English Serial
English Serial
|
Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
|
Date in service
Date in service
|
Date out of service
Date out of service
|
Notes
notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 235 | - | F9680 | 15-11-1966 | 28-01-1978 | Crashed in sea. |
| 236 | HS430 | F9681 | 15-11-1966 | 23-03-1981 | Discharged and sold to Indonesia on 01-04-1981. |
| 237 | HS436 | F9682 | 19-01-1967 | 08-01-1981 | Discharged. Revised Westland and sold to Indonesia on 13-04-1984. |
| 238 | HS437 | F9683 | 16-01-1967 | 08-01-1981 | Discharged. Revised Westland and sold to Indonesia on 13-04-1984.. |
| 239 | - | F9684 | 31-01-1967 | 28-01-1978 | Crashed in sea. |
| 240 | HS435 | F9685 | 06-02-1967 | 09-01-1981 | Discharged. Revised Westland and sold on 13-04-1981 to Indonesia. |
| 241 | - | F9686 | 03-03-1967 | 28-11-1968 | Crashed in north sea |
| 242 | HS439 | F9687 | 08-03-1967 | 08-01-1981 | Discharged. Revised Westland and sold on 16-06-1981 to Indonesia. |
| 243 | HS434 | F9688 | 13-04-1967 | 08-01-1981 | Discharged. Revised Westland and sold on 08-04-1981 to Indonesia. |
| 244 | HS431 | F9689 | 13-04-1967 | 23-03-1981 | Discharged and sold to Indonesia on 01-04-1981. |
| 245 | HS438 | F9690 | 25-05-1967 | 08-01-1981 | Discharged. Revised Westland and sold on 16-06-1981 to Indonesia. |
| 246 | HS432 | F9691 | 07-06-1967 | 23-03-1981 | Discharged and sold to Indonesia on 01-04-1981. |
| 247 | HS433 | WAB-7Z | 18-04-1974 | 23-03-1981 | Discharged and sold to Indonesia on 01-04-1981. |
1/72nd Scale
Kits
- Airfix
- Kit 01042: A kit of the Westland Scout. This kit can be converted to a Westland Wasp.
Modelling add-on
- Airwaves
- Set SC7283: Conversion set for Westland HAS-1 Wasp
- Set SC7295: Westland Wasp Floatation Set
- Set AC72165: Westland Wasp/Scout Detail set
- Set SC72101: Westland Wasp Weapon Set
Decals
- Dutch Decal
- Set 72018: Decals for several aircraft such as Westland Wasp AH-12A: 236.
1/48th Scale
Kits
- Fujimi
- Kit P19: Westland Wasp HAS.1-
Modelling add-on
- --
- Set --: --
Decals
- --
- Set --8: --
| Scheme | Colour name | FS number | BS number | Humbrol | XtraColor | Vallejo Model Color | Vallejo Model Air | Hataka | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard #1 | Upper surfaces | Extra Dark Sea Grey | ~6099 | BS:640 | 123 / 106 | X-5 / X-376 | 70.866 | 71.110 | ~140 |
| Undersides | Sky | - | BS:210 | 90 | X004 / X130 | - | 71.302 | ~026 | |
Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.
Literature.
| Zestig jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld | Hugo Hooftman | pag. 148 - 149 | 1977 | Uitgever Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel |
| Nederlandse Marinevliegtuigen | Thijs Postma & Nico Geldhof | Pag. 72 - 73 | 1978 | Uitgever Omniboek, 's Gravenhage |
| Dutch Military Aviation 1945-1978 | paul A. Jackson | pag. 112; 118 | 1978 | Uitgever Midland Countries Publications, Leicester |
| Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 14, nummer 2: Westland Wasp in de MLD | Frans van 't Hof | Pag. 36 - 43 | 1985 | Uitgever I.P.M.S. Nederland, Nederland |
| Vliegen voor de Vloot: 70 jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst | Harm J. Hazewinkel | Pag. 59 | Uitgever Rebo Produkties, Sassenheim | |
| 70 Jaar Marine-LuchtvaartDienst | Nico Geldhof | pag. 135 | 1987 | Uitgever Uitgeverij Eisma b.v., Leeuwarden |
| 85 JAAR Marineluchtvaartdienst in beeld: Van Farman tot NH 90 Helikopter | Peter Korbee | Pag. 142 - 143 | 2002 | Uitgever Korbee MLD Promotie, Valkenburg |
Websites.
Special thanks to ....
Nederlands (nl-NL) 
English (United Kingdom)