Westland Whirlwind Ideas and Inspiration

[Volkodav]

Or a three gun, 20mm in each engine and a Molins gun in the nose.

[kitnut617]

Goulding mentions that a Dewotine D.510 was borrowed by the RAF to explore the possibilities
of the engine mounted cannon concept, and that Rolls-Royce offered to create a moteur canon
version of the Kestrel, giving the possibility of a six gunned P.9/Whirlwind.
 

I'd imagine the spinners would have to be positioned a bit higher on the nacelles if you wanted to convert a Whirlwind like that. Hmm, think on that I will ---- Is there any info on which manufacturer would have produced the cannon Jon?

[GTX_Admin]

[GTX_Admin]

[GTX_Admin]

[GTX_Admin]

Use early mark P-38 cowlings instead for a more likely look.

Or if you wanna go super sleek, YP-38 stylie.

Taking this idea further, what if in the late 30s, with the prospect of RR Merlins being in short supply, someone (let's say Fairey) negotiate a licence to produce the Allison V-1710 in the UK as a source for additional V-12s beyond the RR Merlin.  Such an engine could be used on the Whirlwind instead of the RR Peregrine.  Perhaps then go one step further and add the turbosuperchargers to the sides of the nacelles (perhaps with intercoolers buried in the wing along with the radiators).

Of course, having UK produced Allison V-1710s also offers possibilities for other fighters to be given the option...