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.

 

Technical information
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.

IMG 1346

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

IMG 1353

Westland Wasp 235 in the tradition room RNlAS at De Kooy, photographed in July 2007.

IMG 1355

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

Westland AH 12A Wasp AKleijn
A model of a Westland AH-12 Wasp, kit used is the Airfix Scout with the Airwaves conversion set, built by Adri Kleijn.

 

 

Westland UH12A Wasp PBanis 1
Een model van een Westland AH-12 Wasp gebouwd door Peter Banis.

 

Westland UH12A Wasp PBanis 2
Een model van een Westland AH-12 Wasp, gebouwd door Peter Banis.

 

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.

Westland UH12 Wasp 1A SMALL
Westland UH-12A Wasp: .
Westland UH12 Wasp 1A SMALL
Westland UH-12A Wasp: .
Westland UH12 Wasp 1A SMALL
Westland UH-12A Wasp: usually just the name of the ship with its bagda applied on the nose.
Westland UH12 Wasp 1A SMALL
Westland UH-12A Wasp: .

 


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 ....