The Dragon from the West Country

Arising from a Royal Navy requirement for a high performance fighter able to carry a torpedo to replace the Bristol Beaufighter for coastal anti... more

by Peter Bratt

Title

The Dragon from the West Country

Artist

Peter Bratt

Medium

Painting

Description

Arising from a Royal Navy requirement for a high performance fighter able to carry a torpedo to replace the Bristol Beaufighter for coastal anti shipping operations. The prototype Westland Wyvern powered by the mighty 24 cylinder Rolls Royce Eagle piston engine first flew in 1944. Unfortunately for the Wyvern Rolls Royce ceased piston engine development leaving a highly promising aircraft without an engine. It was suggested that the new turboprop development of the jet engine might be a solution. Eventually the Armstrong Siddley Python was selected and after a vastly protracted flight development program the Westland Wyvern entered service with the Royal Navy and became
the first turboprop powered fighter to see action during the Suez crisis. The Wyvern was an astonishing aircraft, in that it resembled a WWII fighter built on a colossal scale. The Wyvern was far heavier than a DC3 transport and with it's two massive contra rotating four bladed propellors it was utterly unique.

Uploaded

April 4th, 2015