The Second World War saw the development in naval aviation of a single-seat strike fighter that performed both fighter-bomber and torpedo-strike. In the U.S. Navy, this ed to the Douglas Skyraider, one of the most successf naval aircraft ever built; in the Royal Navy it resulted in the Westland Wyvern,one of the most frustrating naval aircraft ever built, which took ten years to bring to operational readiness, only to be declared obsolete within four years of its arrival on British decks.

The Wyvern was W.E.W. “Teddy” Petter’s last project at Westland before leaving for English Electric where he would design his masterpiece, the Canberra jet bomber. Petter’s objective was a long-range carrier-based day fighter that could carry a torpedo or bombs as appropriate for a secondary role as a strike aircraft. The favored engine was the Rolls-Royce Eagle, a 24-cylinder liquid-cooled “H” type like the Napier Sabre, with 3,500 horsepower. The Naval Staff issued specification N.11/44, written around the Westland proposal. A mockup was created with cockpit atop a significant hump in order to obtain a 15-degree angle of view over the nose for deck landing. It was named “Wyvern” for a mythological dragon, in 1947.

In 1944, Westland began investigating the possibility of changing to the Rolls-Royce RB.39 Clyde turboprop, which Rolls-Royce expected to deliver in December 1945.

The N.11/44 prototype was the biggest British single-seat naval fighter type at the time. To launch from a deck, the airplane required a contraprop, which was developed by Rotol (8-blade) This in turn led to a very large vertical fin to provide directional stability.

The first Turboprop Wyvern, the N.12/45 prototype flew on January 16, 1949, powered by a Clyde. While the Clyde exceeded initial performance estimates, it suffered from a variety of problems, not the least of which was that Rolls-Royce was committed to other engine projects, which kept them from focusing on solving the Clyde’s problems. The Armstrong-Siddeley Python was the only turboprop of the necessary power that could be used for the Wyvern. This change added at least two years to the development cycle as the engineers struggled to create a throttle control that would allow the engine to be rapidly throttled back for a carrier landing, or rapidly throttled up to make a go-around, the solution being an inertia control unit that was, unfortunately, mechanically complex.

The Wyvern finally appeared as the S.Mk.4, and began delivery in May 1953 to equip 813 Squadron. These aircraft did not have the definitive engine control unit and thus were not carrier-compatible until these units were installed in the summer of 1954. The first operational Wyverns went aboard HMS Albion in September 1954, where it was discovered their problems were not over, as there were a series of flameouts during catapult launch as a result of fuel starvation under high-g loading A final design of the ICU/ECU unit solved the flameout problem. 813 and 827 Squadrons embarked aboard HMS Eagle in May 1955 for a second Mediterranean cruise, which gave the Wyverns some 1,500 operating hours and 1,000 landings, after which the aircraft was considered proven.

The final modifications of the S.Mk.4 appeared in early 1956. This was visually identifiable by the removal of the curved windscreen over the flat armored glass, a strengthened canopy with a more extensive metal frame, and dive brakes added under the wing center section. The result was an airplane that still didn’t provide the performance that was needed, and only continued on operations due to the fact there was no alternative. It was so short-ranged it needed a large centerline fuel tank in addition to the wing tanks, and thus could not carry a torpedo; when it was carrying enough fuel to have adequate range, it could not get off a carrier deck even with a catapult while carrying its maximum ordnance load, thus requiring the use of RATOG units to get airborne.

813 and 827 Squadrons returned from the Mediterranean and decommissioned in November 1955. They were replaced by 830 and 831 Squadrons which activated in January 1956. 830 Squadron went aboard HMS Eagle that May, destined to be the only unit to fly the Wyvern in combat, when their nine aircraft participated in six days of strikes against Egyptian military targets in the Suez Canal Zone in October-November 1956 as part of Operation Musketeer, the Anglo-French “intervention” in what was called “the Sinai War,” though that was really part of a conspiracy by the two western powers, working with Israel, to regain control of the Suez Canal following its nationalization by Egypt in 1955.

The Wyverns were employed as dive bombers during these operations. On 1 November, 830 Sqn gave the Wyvern its combat debut when, at 0800, six aircraft attacked the former Fleet Air Arm airfield at Dekheila, near Alexandria. Lt. George Barras was on the first strike: “The initial run inshore was a nervous time, with little knowledge of what air opposition there might be. In the event, the attack was virtually unopposed, was repeated twice more that day. Top cover during the attacks was provided by Sea Hawks from 897 and 899 Squadrons.” The squadron flew three strikes through the day, expending 420 rounds of 20mm cannon.

The Wyverns continued in action the following morning when at 0720 five returned to Dekheila. The assessment of the success against the EAF then saw a switch of emphasis, as the attack at midday was against the tanks and vehicles in the Egyptian Army’s main transport and logistics depot at Huckstep Camp, in the western suburbs of Cairo. 830 Sqn’s six Wyverns were the first off from Eagle and the raid was considered a big success, with not a single bomb or rocket falling outside the target area. The squadron flew two more strikes during the day.

Airstrikes against Egyptian targets continued on 3 November and with the threat from EAF MiGs further neutralized, attacks switched to communications and transport targets - specifically, the Damiata (Gamil) Bridge, a solid stone structure to the west of Port Said, the only northern road link from the Nile Delta to the Canal. At 0700 Eagle launched half a dozen Wyverns against the bridge and they achieved a number of near misses that damaged the foundations and the nearby radar site. However, Wyvern WN330/J 379, flown by Lt Dennis McCarthy, was hit in the engine by ground fire and badly damaged, having probably lost a propeller blade: “I got rid of the bombs as quickly as I could and leveled out, heading out to sea. I lost about 200 knots coming out of that dive – it was like hitting a brick wall.” With smoke starting to fill the cockpit and the damaged engine losing power he steered the crippled aircraft seaward, covered by the rest of the formation, until about three miles out when he was forced to eject.

Egyptian shore batteries opened fire as he lay in his dinghy, though covering Sea Hawks attacked them. After an uncomfortable hour and a quarter in the water McCarthy was picked up by a rescue helicopter from Eagle.

Undeterred by this loss, at 1030 six Wyverns returned to the area at low-level with one pilot claiming a direct hit on the bridge. Four more Wyverns mounted a further midafternoon attack, reporting another direct hit. By the end of the day, when the CO of 899 Sqn returned to the ship he reported that one third of the bridge had been destroyed.

Early on the 5th, elements of 16 Airborne Brigade dropped onto their drop zones at El Gamil airfield while the French 2nd Regiment dropped east of the town.

Immediately after the drop, ‘Cab Rank’ - standing patrols of fighter-bombers from Cyprus and the carriers - began to cover the Paras, on call to strafe any troublesome positions.

The Wyverns contributed to this continuous air cover throughout the day over Gamil and Port Said with its first patrol of five aircraft launching from Eagle’s deck at 0705. They were called in to make bomb and rocket attacks on a Coastguard Barracks on the beach road that was proving particularly troublesome. The first strike damaged it and anti-aircraft gun emplacements were also knocked out, but the barracks remained standing; all aircraft returned safely. Three hours later five more Wyverns made further attacks to hit gun and mortar positions that had been set up in a cemetery.

The Coastguard barracks was a solid concrete structure, filled with troops and turned into a formidable strongpoint that was still holding up the advance off the drop zone.

The Wyverns were called in again, to demolish it with bombs, at 14:40. Lt.Cmdr. Bill ‘Smokey’ Cowling led the strike on the troublesome barracks. As rockets had proved ineffective Cowling went in low, flying through a veritable hail of small-arms fire and, as he said afterwards: ‘…lobbed a 500-pounder through the window.’ The official report used somewhat more prosaic language to describe the successful attack: ‘Bombs on western two blocks. West block probably destroyed next block badly damaged by bomb and R/P. 20mm on third block. Ground explosion from west building.’

Early on the 5th, elements of 16 Airborne Brigade dropped onto their drop zones at El Gamil airfield whilst the French 2nd Regiment Colonial Parachutist dropped east of the town.

Immediately after the drop, ‘Cab Rank’ - standing patrols of fighter-bombers from Cyprus and the carriers - began to cover the Paras, on call to strafe any troublesome positions.

The Wyverns of 830 Squadron contributed to this continuous air cover throughout the day over Gamil and Port Said with its first patrol of five aircraft launching from Eagle’s deck at 07:05. They were called in to make bomb and rocket attacks on a Coastguard Barracks on the beach road that was proving particularly troublesome. The first strike damaged it and anti-aircraft gun emplacements were also knocked out, but the barracks remained standing; all aircraft returned safely. Three hours later five more Wyverns made further attacks to hit gun and mortar positions that had been set up in a cemetery.

The Coastguard barracks was a solid concrete structure, filled with troops and turned into a formidable strongpoint that was still holding up the advance off the drop zone.

The Wyverns were called in again, to demolish it with bombs, at 1440. Lt-Cmdr. Bill ‘Smokey’ Cowling, flying the CO’s aircraft WN328/J 371, led the strike on the troublesome barracks. As rockets had proved ineffective Cowling went in low, flying through a veritable hail of small-arms fire and, as he said afterwards: ‘…lobbed a 500-pounder through the window.’ The official report used somewhat more prosaic language to describe the successful attack: ‘Bombs on western two blocks. West block probably destroyed next block badly damaged by bomb and R/P. 20mm on third block. Ground explosion from west building.’

The enemy fire was intense, however, as Cowling later recounted: “I was hit by small calibre stuff but was not aware until pulling away. Funny noises – like impeller blades disappearing out of the jet pipe! The engine went into the ‘Red’ and I decided to get as much height as possible and get away from the land. In the event I got up to 1,200ft and had to throttle back as all the indications were that the engine was about to break up. I started screaming ‘Mayday.’ The carrier acknowledged. So did Jim Summerlee who was the rescue helicopter pilot. I pulled down the face-blind which activates the explosive under the seat. I ejected about five miles off the coast of Port Said. Everything worked perfectly.”

With remarkable coolness, Bill Cowling had ordered his wingman, Sub-Lt. ‘Scottie’ Scott, to photograph the ejection and record his ‘moment of truth!’ Summerlee and Cowling were colleagues from a previous squadron and celebrated his safe return later that evening. During the day the Squadron had dropped 17 bombs, fired 176 rockets and expended more than 2,000 rounds of 20mm ammunition.

The following morning, the amphibious landing led by Royal Marine Commandos went in at Port Said, once again with on call fighter-bomber cover. 830 Sqn’s first contribution came at 09:30 when six Wyverns, launched and having established their patrol under control of the serving amphibious HQ ship (the frigate HMS Mein), were called on to attack Egyptian troops with cannon and rockets. Fire was also called against two gun positions but having identified the target the leader temporarily believed them to be friendly, only after several confirmatory calls to ensure they were Egyptian were they attacked.

Lt. George Barras flew on the second of 830’s three waves: “I flew on the second wave, armed this time only with ten R/P and the standard 20mm cannon. Attacks were called by ground controllers, and it was rather like bees around a honey pot with the numbers of aircraft waiting to be called in.” Through the day the Wyverns had once more fired a considerable amount of ordnance. However, late that night under intense international pressure, a ceasefire was declared.

In all, Eagle’s squadrons had flown 621 combat sorties during the brief campaign of which 830 Sqn’s Wyverns had flown 79. The CO later recalled: “It was a very small area to operate and after a few days we were competing for the same targets with the other aircraft from the British and French Carriers, it was like Piccadilly Circus. It was an exciting time.”

813 Squadron recommissioned in October 1956, giving the FAA three strike squadrons. With the decommissioning of 830 and 831 Squadrons in January and February 1957, 813 was the last Wyvern operational unit, embarking on HMS Eagle in July 1957 for a tour that lasted until March 1958. 813 decommissioned at Ford on March 29, 1958, which marked the end of active service for the Wyvern. 33 had been lost to all causes during its operational life. The survivors were all melted down during 1959, and the only Wyvern in existence today is the Wyvern Mk.1 VR137, which was never actually flown.

The Westland Wyvern suffered an extended developmental period due to the fact it was one of the first aircraft to use the then-new turboprop. Almost all of the basic technological development that would make later turboprops efficient and reliable was accomplished in this program, which may be the Wyvern’s greatest contribution to aeronautical development.

I attached the landing gear and gear doors, then fit the contraprop without the gearing. The Wyverns in 839 squadron were used in bombing during Operation Musketeer, and I mounted two bombs in the outer wing positions, per a photo taken at the time. I also attempted to copy the messages on the bombs, using a white color pencil. Writing in 1/48 scale was beyond my capability however, so they’re just approximations

Again, the kit instructions would have you paint the bombs Olive Drab, but British bombs are painted Bronze Green. I used Tamiya “Deep Green” which is a close approximation of Bronze Green.

With all that done, I unmasked the windshield and the canopy and posed the canopy open.