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History Brief, by Johan Visschedijk

December 7, 2003

Westland Limousine I and II


Westlands first commercial aeroplane was designed from the outset, by Arthur Davenport, as a passenger-carrying airliner. It was given the name Limousine to introduce an element of luxury to the rather spartan style of flying then existing; the cabin was upholstered in the style of a luxury motorcar of that period. The passengers were seated two in front and one left of the pilot; the passenger in front of the pilot was facing the pilot, but the pilot was seated on a 2 ft 6 in (0.76 m) pedestal so his head protruded through the a hole in the cabin roof.

The prototype Limousine I (G-EAFO, c/n WAC.1) flew for the first time, with the temporary registration K-126, during July 1919 by A. Keep. It was powered by a 275 hp Rolls-Royce Falcon III engine, as was the later Limousine II (G-EAJL, c/n WAC.2) external differing in having a slightly smaller wing span, increased fin and rudder area, and a rectangular radiator.

The second Limousine II (G-EAMV, c/n WAC.3) flew for the first time in April 1920 and was used as a test bed for the 410 hp Cosmos Jupiter radial engine, later this was reverted to the Falcon III engine. A batch of four was started, G-EARE to G-EARH, c/n WAC.4 to WAC.7; G-EARE and G-EARF were powered by a 300 hp Hispano-Suiza eight-cylinder in-line V-engine, G-EARH was never completed.

Limousine II G-EARE and G-EARF were used by Instone Air Line on their Paris and Brussels routes only until 1923 when they were scrapped. Limousine I G-EAFO and II G-EAJL were leased to Air Post of Banks Ltd. to exploit a two-month experimental airmail service between Croydon (London) and Le Bourget (Paris), after that they, plus G-EAMV and G-EARG, went to Canada to be used by the Aerial Survey Company of New Foundland, also until 1923.

Limosine II Johan Visschedijk Collection

Specifications (Limousine II)

Type:

Four-seat biplane commercial transport aircraft

Engine:

One 275 hp Rolls-Royce Falcon III in-line piston engine

Span:

37 ft 9 in (11.51 m)

Length:

27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)

Height:

10 ft 9 in (3.28 m)

Empty Wt:

2,010 lb (912 kg)

Max T/O Wt:

3,800 lb (1,724 kg)

Cruise speed:

90 mph (145 km/h)

Max speed:

100 mph (161 km/h)

Max climb:

650 ft (198 m)/min

Ceiling:

17,000 ft (5,282 m)

Range:

400 mls (644 km)

Models

Limousine I:

prototype only

Limousine II:

five build, slighty different, several engines