
Wiltshire prototype in 1954
The Westland-Sikorsky WS-59 Wiltshire is a light military helicopter, designed by Igor Sikorsky for Westland Helicopters, that first flew in April, 1956. The Wiltshire normally had a four seat configuration, with one pilot and three passengers, but the most common variant which still serves in many countries has that capacity increased to fifteen. In cargo configuration the Wiltshire has an internal capacity of 220 ft³ (6.23 m³). An external load of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) can be carried.
The Wiltshire Mk.I was the original version, first ordered by the Royal Air Force, later the British Army and several export customers, however the Army soon remarked upon it's small carrying capacity and the slow rate of production. Soon after RAF acceptance, which increased production dramatically, the issues were addressed by lengthening the fuselage, moving the doors to the rear of the helicopter and installing a slightly higher rated power plant (the Pratt & Whitney T400-CP400 turboshaft engines).
During the Midde Eastern War, the Wiltshire Mk.II served both as a troop carrier and as a gunship acting as the primary British attack helicopter until the arrival of the Westland Worcester.
Users[edit | edit source]
Afghanistan
- Afghan Air Force x 10
Albania
Arabia
Australia
Austria
- Austrian Air Force x 23
Bosnia
Brazil
- Brazilian Air Force x 36
British Empire
Canada
Republic of China
Dominican Republic
- Dominican Air Force x 12
Germany
Iran
Ireland
Israel
- Israeli Air Force x 50
Italy
West Japan
Jordan
Lebanon
Macedonia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Palestine
Philippines
Somalia
Spain
Sweden
Thailand
Turkey
Uruguay
Vietnam
Yemen
Yugoslavia
- Afghan Air Force
- Albanian Air Force
- Arabian Air Force
- Austrian Air Force
- Bosnian Aerial Guard
- Brazilian Air Force
- British Army
- British Empire
- Dominican Air Force
- German Army
- Helicopters
- Iranian Army
- Irish Air Force
- Israeli Air Force
- Italian Army
- Jordanian Air Force
- Lebanese Air Force
- Macedonian Air Force
- Palestinian Air Command
- Philippine Air Force
- Regia Aeronautica
- Regia Marina
- Republic of China Army
- Republic of Iran Navy
- Republic of Japan Coast Guard
- Royal Air Force
- Royal Air Force of Oman
- Royal Australian Air Force
- Royal Australian Navy
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- Royal Netherlands Air Force
- Royal New Zealand Air Force
- Royal Norwegian Air Force
- Royal Thai Army
- Royal Thai Navy
- Royal Yugoslav Air Force
- Somalian Air Force
- Spanish Air Force
- Swedish Air Force
- Turkish Navy
- Uruguayan Air Force
- Vietnamese Air Force
- Westland
- Yemen Air Force