Westland Dragonfly

HR1, HR3 & HR5 Air-Rescue Helicopters


Dragonfly


During the Korean War the Royal Navy was loaned a small number of US Navy Sikorsky S51s for search and rescue. The value of the helicopter as a planeguard was obvious and the S51 soon went into production at Westland as the Dragonfly HR1. Further models, the HR3 and HR5 were produced until the last was delivered in September 1953. The Dragonfly saw service onboard all RN carriers during the mid to late 1950s until replaced by the Whirlwind. They were also used as a land based SAR helicopter, replacing the Sea Otter.

A total of 72 HR1, HR3 and HR5 Dragonfly were built.

Dimensions: Rotor diameter 14.93 m (49ft) ; Length 17.53 m (57ft 6.5in) ; Rotor Disc Area 175.07 sq.m (1,184.4 sq.ft)
Weights: Maximum Take-off 2662.6 kg (5,870 lb)
Powerplant: one Alvis Leonides 50 - 410 kW (550 shp) maximum power.
Performance: Maximum speed 104 mph (167 kph, 90 kt)
Armament: none