This fighter plane was put into production, but never used: The Westland Welkin

200 Welkins were on order, 77 of which had already been produced while another 26 airframes were finished but missing engines when the program was finally scrapped. Only an extremely small amount of the 77 would even fly with the vast majority scrapped. The Welkin had been designed as an extremely high-altitude interceptor fighter during the early 1940s by the designers at Westland.. Featuring a pressurized cockpit and designed to fly up to 45,000ft, the program had received a significant boost when in late 1940, the Luftwaffe began utilizing the Junkers JU 86P to conduct reconnaissance flights at extremely high altitudes over Britain. The first Westland Welkin took to the air on the 1st of November 1942 and production aircraft started appearing off the production lines in August 1943. However, by now the German threat from high altitude had vanished and the RAF lost interest in the project. A night fighter version of the Welkin was developed in 1943/1944, adding AI.VIII radar and a radar operator who flew backwards behind the pilot. Designated Welkin NF.Mk.II only a single prototype flew before the project was cancelled in 1945.
The Westland Welkin was a fighter that the RAF invested in and built, but never used.
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Images:
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Sources:
Air Pages: airpages.ru/eng/uk/welkin.shtml
Air Vectors: www.airvectors.net/avwhirl.html
Aviastar: www.aviastar.org/air/england/w...
History of War: www.historyofwar.org/articles/...
Military Factory: www.militaryfactory.com/aircr...
Yeovil's Virtual Museum: www.yeovilhistory.info/westlan...
0:00 - 0:14 - Introduction
0:14 - 0:25 - Title
0:25 - 1:18 - Background Story
1:18 - 1:46 - The P.14
1:46 - 2:52 - The Design
2:52 - 3:57 - The Prototype
3:57 - 4:43 - Production Models
4:43 - 5:27 - The demise of the Welkin
5:27 - 6:06 - The Welkin NF.Mk.II
#ww2 #aviationhistory #aviation #royalairforce #aircraft #ww2planes #ww2aircraft #britishhistory #britain #ww2 #flying #history #historyfacts #westlandwelkin #westland

[@philiphumphrey1548]

In the book "Night Fighter" by CF Rawnsley (John Cunningham's radar operator) he describes inspecting a Welkin as a possible answer to German high altitude raids. But they ended up test flying a specially modified De Havilland Mosquito at over 40,000 feet, only for the Germans to then cease their high altitude raids before they could use it in anger.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

That is interesting. Seems a good read. I'll have to take a look at it 👍✈️

[@randlerobbertson8792]

A fascinating aeroplane. I would add, nothing out of the Teddy Petter stable was 'boring'.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Indeed it is 👍✈️

[@tango6nf477]

Had they equipped the Whirlwind with merlin engines it could have been a very deadly fighter. The Welkin was a beautiful aircraft.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

I agree. It definitely had the potential. It is a nice looking aircraft, especially with those long wings.

[@Splattle101]

Good work, mate. I'd not heard of this one before.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thanks 👍✈️ I hadn't heard about it until about a week ago but found it very fascinating and thought it would make a good video. A quick side project while I work on a bigger video. Quite an interesting story. 👍✈️

[@jean-francoislemieux5509]

quite a rare find! even though a have read on aviation for almost 50 years, it's the first time i hear of it!

[@AntiqueAirshow]

It is quite a rare aircraft. I only found about this aircraft in a random Facebook post two weeks before I made this video. Quite an interesting aircraft.

[@romanbrough]

The Luftwaffe did use high flying recon aircraft with pressured cabins. But a Spitfire with all armour removed and armed with just two 303 Brownings were able to reach and deal with the few that appeared.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

It does amaze me that it was a regular Spitfire rather than the specially built high-altitude Spitfires that dealt with the problem.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks my friend...Excellent video....l am an former Fighter Pilot in my 80's now....... Shoe🇺🇸

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you ✈️👍 If you don't mind me asking, what types did you fly?

[@keithtarrier4558]

@@AntiqueAirshow Indeed.. what did he fly?

[@steveshoemaker6347]

@@AntiqueAirshow F-4 Phantom

[@AntiqueAirshow]

@@steveshoemaker6347 Nice that's cool, thanks👍✈

[@robbudden]

My favourite prototype photo is a Welkin with LOX leaking out of the carburettor, and freezing near the rubber tyres. How it didn't explode or catch fire...

[@AntiqueAirshow]

That sounds a great photo. One does have to wonder, perhaps a lucky escape. I don't think I came across that one, but then I was looking at a lot of pictures of the Welkin that I might have missed that detail.

[@alanwitton5980]

Another great video very informative thanks for uploading it

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you 👍✈️

[@fractalign]

It’s a dope looking ride, the Jerries would struggled against it no doubt.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

It would of been interesting to see how it performed in a fight.

[@randallpinkfloyd7225]

Could have been a British early U2 spy plane! Excellent video, appreciate your hard work!

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Quite possible. It is interesting it was never conceived or thought to be utilized in such a role, but then again Britain did have a few other good and proven choices for photo reconnaissance. Thank you👍✈️

[@daveboon5992]

@@AntiqueAirshow Also they had lot of problems coming from All directions 😳😳

[@richarddixon7276]

This was a really interesting video about a very little known aircraft , of course it will have been all "hush hush" at the time and long forgotten about by the majority of those few in the know by the mid 50s so it's hardly surprising it's not well known . Thanks for all those hours of research , You know Your viewers appreciate it .

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you👍✈️ You are very right. I forgot to include that nothing about this aircraft was released until after the War. Thank you for your continued support 👍✈️

[@richarddixon7276]

@@AntiqueAirshow I always watch Your videos and was actually watching Your Vickers Type 432 video when this reply came in . Your passion is evident so Your research is diligent & therefor accurate and enjoyable as a result . Drachinifel has a similar passion for shipping & I also enjoy a lot of his videos for these same reasons, though he is very prolific with a huge back catalogue so it'd be difficult having enough time to view all his content .If this is the last video before Christmas , Have a Good one & an even better New Year . Thanks for videos & catch You next episode .

[@AntiqueAirshow]

@@richarddixon7276 Thank you👍✈ I find aviation history very interesting and really enjoy making these videos. I also learn a lot which is always great. I've learnt over the few years of doing these videos the importance of good strong research, and believe it is an area I've improved a lot in. Some of my early videos made a few claims that perhaps needed a little bit better info to back it up😅 Also once I'm down the rabbit hole it can be hard to come back out 🤣. Drachinifiel has some great videos. Very interesting channel. Hopefully if all goes well there will be one more video before the end of the year. Something a little bit different to my usual ones. If not, thank you for the continued support, the views and the comments, it all is greatly appreciated. Have a great festive season and a great new year 👍✈

[@MrChris1316]

Seems it was only hush hush because of the vast waste of money and resources that were used for no reason except profit.

[@johnjephcote7636]

A Hornet with the tail of a Whirlwind.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

it does look like that. When researching photos a few did come up of the Hornet and I nearly thought it was the Welkin. 👍✈️

[@angusclark8330]

Well spotted. Going through these videos, I keep thinking I need new glasses, then it turns out I just misread a photo. Still, it's the joy of the chase.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

@@angusclark8330 It is surprising how many aircraft from the time period looks alike. Indeed it is, I have great fun trying to identify various aircraft and the variant of the aircraft in a photo👍✈

[@davtrailers3494]

Great work mate! Looking forward to your KZbin career! Keep up the d work and I'll be there with you as as well as your subscriber!

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you, appreciate the support. Plenty more videos on the way 👍✈️

[@ianbell5611]

Thank you. Another great video. Cheers

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thanks 👍✈️

[@keithtarrier4558]

Keep up the good work young fella. Very interesting. Can't recall ever hearing about this... but looks similar one of my favs, the DH Mosquito. *On my computer, the volume is a bit low compared to the "normal" audio level on youtube vids. So if I up the volume, that is fine.. but if an ad comes along, it is too loud.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you 👍✈️ to be honest I hadn't heard about the Welkin until about a week and a bit ago. Found it quite interesting and thought it would make a good video. Was able to quickly slip in to the pipeline👍 Thanks for the feedback, that is good to known. I'll make it louder for the next video. 👍

[@johnforrester9120]

A brilliant example

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Agree. A very pretty aircraft 👍✈️

[@KapiteinKrentebol]

What Westland learned from all of this: whenever the RAF gives out specifications for a new plane just stay in bed.

[@angusclark8330]

God! Think of the bragging rights if we had put that monster into service. If you're wondering, my second favorite British fighter 1939 - 45 is the Westland Whirlwind, after the Hurricane but very shortly.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

It definitely would of been an achievement. That is great, both fighters are very interesting. I'm perhaps a little cliche as my favourite aircraft is the Spitfire, but the CAC Boomerang does make it a tight contest 👍✈️

[@abchaplin]

Westland's Welkin has long interested me. It would have been the logical response to the Luftwaffe's "Amerikabomber" project, had it come to fruition. The back-burnering of the Welkin made a lot of sense; there is no reason to prepare to meet a threat which your opponent cannot follow up.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Yes I very much agree. 👍✈️

[@angusclark8330]

It's almost a pity that the Germans didn't develop a high- altitude bomber to make this an essential element in air defense before war's end. The Nona Lisa with wings.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

It would have been very interesting to see how it coped in combat. Could have been an interesting showdown. 👍✈️

[@joeschenk8400]

Thanks for the information on the Welkin. I have always found this aircraft interesting every since I saw it in a William Green book long ago. May I suggest the Vickers Type 423 mentioned earlier in the video? Thanks again.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

It is quite an interesting aircraft. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll add it to the list and see what I can do. The Type 432 looks another interesting aircraft. 👍✈️

[@joeschenk8400]

@@AntiqueAirshow Great...I'm sure your list is long!

[@AntiqueAirshow]

@@joeschenk8400 haha yes indeed. I like to plan a month or two ahead on what videos I do and I'm always changing things as new ideas pop up👍✈

[@henkvandergaast3948]

another good one!

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you 👍✈️

[@MililaniJag]

Great vid! Why not convert it to a high flying Photo-Recon aircraft? Cheers!

[@Eric-kn4yn]

GB had no shortage of recce a/c. Until late in war when me262 was used

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you👍✈️ Could of worked, but as stated already there was quite a few proven choices for Britain.

[@peterkavanagh64]

The whole quest was to know the moon orbiting this earth. Still i cant figure this wasto gp out side and look to see if it is there

[@raypurchase801]

Sometimes pro-Nazi trolls boast that if the war had gone into '46 or '47, the allied air forces would've got their arses kicked. Stuff like the Welkin, the Hornet and the Vampire prove them wrong. Plus the Canberra was on the drawing board.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Agree. The German's may have had the edge on technology, but my understanding is that the Allies were starting to catch up. I also think from a numbers point of view, it would have been very hard for the Germans to win against the combined forces of the U.S, Britain and the USSR.

[@raypurchase801]

@@AntiqueAirshow Every German superweapon was a failure. Their alleged swept-wing technology was just stuff used by prewar gliders, but with a jet engine or a rocket motor. Their jet engine only came about because their designer read Whittle's patents. Their radar lagged far behind the British. For every German technological advance, the western allies had a dozen.

[@davidfoster5906]

A super Mosquito.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

In some aspects yes it was 👍✈️

[@peterkavanagh64]

Its a glider