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XT626 – Westland Scout AH Mk 1

XT626 - Westland Scout AH Mk 1 One of the few helicopters of exclusively British design to have been built in quantity, the Westland Scout was developed from the Saunders-Roe P531, which was taken over when the parent company was absorbed by Westland in 1959.

The first P531 was flown on 20 July 1958, powered by a Blackburn Turmo 603. The British Army was immediately interested in the type as a light battlefield helicopter, and the chosen powerplant was the Turbomeca A 129, derated to 635 shp and developed in the UK by Bristol Siddeley as the Nimbus. The first version for the British Army was the P531-2 Mk 1, essentially a pre-production and development variant which first flew in August 1960. This proved so successful that only one month later the British Army placed its initial production contract for the Scout AH Mk 1, which differed from earlier models only in having powered controls.

The first Scout AH Mk 1 flew in March 1961, and the type began to enter service early in 1963 as a replacement for the Saunders-Roe Skeeter, which it clearly outmoded by its combination of greater reliability, substantially improved payload and general operating superiority. Production amounted to 160 Scout AH Mk 1 helicopters, and these have since 1963 been standard multi-role tactical aircraft with skid landing gear, a five/six-seat cabin and the Nimbus 101 or 102 turboshaft engine.

External loads included two litters in side mounted pods, and in the Anti Tank role, the SS 11 missile system. The type has proved its operational versatility, operating in the close-support, liaison, light freight, medivac, communication, reconnaissance, SAR and training roles. Small numbers of the Scout were exported, mainly to Jordan, Australia, Bahrain and Uganda. XT 626 joined the AHAF on 30 March 1994.

Westland Scout AH Mk 1 Specifications

Engines:
Rolls Royce Nimbus Mk 105

Speed:
110kts (Max) 100kts (Cruise)

Endurance:
150 gallon fuel tank giving 2 ½ hours of duration

MAUW (Max all up weight):
5350 lbs

Display Weight:
4078 lbs Dimensions:
40’ (Length) 32’ (Rotor Span)

Capacity:
Pilot + 5

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