08/31/2012. Remarks by Ray Watkins: "This was an 'Anglicized' version of the Sikorsky S-51 design for which Westland obtained a license on January 10, 1947. The agreement gave Westland the power to 'improve the design', with the company designation of WS.51 (later the name Dragonfly was added), and assigned them sales rights in all markets except North America. The deal included the supply of six US-built aircraft to assist Westland during their learning curve period and to allow for demonstrations to customers while production was ramping up.

The aircraft had little in common with the US-built version as most production drawings were modified to suit British engineering practices and materials, with the substitution of the 520 hp Alvis Leonides 50 engine for the 450 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior engine as the prime driver for changes. The WS.51 was produced in two variants, the Mk.1A with an Alvis Leonides engine and the Mk.1B with a Pratt & Whitney R-985-B4 Wasp Junior engine.

The prototype Mk.1A first flew on October 5, 1948 with the registration G-AKTW. While awaiting the arrival of the six aircraft from Sikorsky, this aircraft was evaluated by the RAF with the serial XD649, as shown in the photo. (The designation WS.51 Dragonfly was commonly used for civil versions, the models produced for military service were commonly known as the Dragonfly.) This aircraft was converted in 1955 to become one of three prototypes for an enhanced civilian version known as the Widgeon.

The aircraft was reregistered G-APPR on November 3, 1958, three years later, November 6, 1961 it was registered to Bristow. The registration was cancelled on June 20, 1962, as it was sold to Nigeria, where it was registered as 5N-AGA."