Westland Dragonfly & Widgeon Helicopter Manuals Collection
This comprehensive digital collection brings together the complete technical documentation for two pioneering British helicopters: the Westland Dragonfly and Westland Widgeon. These authentic manuals represent the original documentation used by pilots, maintenance crews, and engineers throughout these aircraft's distinguished service lives.
Collection Contents
Westland Dragonfly Documentation:
- Pilot's Notes for Dragonfly HR 1 (1st Edition, A.P. 4301 A. P.N.)
- Pilot's Notes for Dragonfly H.R. Mks. 3 & 5 (3rd Edition, November 1957, A.P.4301C & E—P.N., RESTRICTED)
Westland Widgeon (S-51 Series) Documentation:
- Westland-Sikorsky S-51 Helicopter Brochure (Westland Aircraft Limited, Yeovil)
- Crew's Notes - Westland S-51 Series 2 Widgeon Helicopter
- Crew's Notes - Westland-Sikorsky S.51 Mk. 1A Helicopter with Alvis Leonides 521/1 Engine (December 1955)
- The Widgeon in Service - Applications Brochure
- Westland-Sikorsky S-51 Helicopter Repair and Overhaul Manual
- Westland-Sikorsky S-51 Helicopter Parts Catalogue
What You'll Receive
Instant digital download of high-resolution PDF files containing complete scans of these original technical manuals, pilot's notes, crew's notes, maintenance documentation, parts catalogues, and promotional brochures. Each document has been carefully digitized to preserve the authentic detail of the original publications, including technical diagrams, specifications, operating procedures, and maintenance instructions.
Historical Note
The Westland Dragonfly and Widgeon represent a pivotal chapter in British rotary-wing aviation history, marking the United Kingdom's entry into practical helicopter operations during the post-war era.
The Westland Dragonfly was a British-built version of the American Sikorsky S-51, manufactured under license by Westland Aircraft Limited beginning in 1948. The Dragonfly became the first British-built helicopter to receive a certificate of airworthiness and entered service with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in 1950. The HR.1 variant served primarily in search and rescue roles, while the HR.3 and HR.5 variants featured the more powerful Alvis Leonides engine, improving performance and reliability. During the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960), Dragonfly helicopters proved invaluable for casualty evacuation, saving countless lives by transporting wounded personnel from remote jungle locations to medical facilities. The aircraft also saw distinguished service in Korea, where Royal Navy Dragonflies conducted rescue missions and medical evacuations under combat conditions. Production continued until 1953, with approximately 149 Dragonflies built for military and civilian operators worldwide.
The Westland Widgeon was developed as a civilian variant of the S-51, designed to meet the growing demand for commercial helicopter operations in the early 1950s. Powered by the reliable Alvis Leonides radial engine, the Widgeon offered improved performance over its American counterpart and was specifically tailored for the British and Commonwealth markets. The aircraft found applications in executive transport, agricultural work, aerial survey, and utility operations. Its spacious cabin could accommodate a pilot and three passengers, making it ideal for corporate transport and charter services. The Widgeon's versatility and British engineering made it popular among civilian operators seeking a reliable rotorcraft for diverse missions.
Both aircraft shared the distinctive Sikorsky configuration: a single main rotor, tail rotor for anti-torque control, and a fabric-covered steel tube fuselage with a distinctive "goldfish bowl" canopy providing excellent visibility. The British-built Alvis Leonides engine proved more suitable for European operating conditions than the original American powerplant, offering improved reliability and easier maintenance.
These helicopters played a crucial role in establishing helicopter operations as a practical reality in Britain and the Commonwealth. They demonstrated the helicopter's unique capabilities for rescue, medical evacuation, and utility work in environments where fixed-wing aircraft could not operate. The operational experience gained with the Dragonfly and Widgeon directly influenced Westland's development of subsequent helicopter designs, ultimately establishing the company as one of Europe's leading rotorcraft manufacturers.
Today, the Dragonfly and Widgeon hold a distinguished place in aviation history as the aircraft that introduced British military and civilian operators to the helicopter age. These original technical manuals represent authentic documentation from this pioneering era, offering invaluable insights for historians, restorers, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the early development of British rotary-wing aviation.
Perfect For
- Aviation historians researching early British helicopter development
- Aircraft restorers working on Dragonfly or Widgeon projects
- Military history enthusiasts studying post-war British aviation
- Technical researchers examining early helicopter design and systems
- Museums and educational institutions preserving aviation heritage
- Collectors of rare aviation documentation
- Modelers seeking authentic reference material
Copyright & Licensing
All copyrights for historical aircraft documentation are owned by Online Aviation Library and registered with the Canadian Copyright Database under Sicuro Publishing. This collection is offered under bilateral licensing agreements that permit the sale of common information for outdated aircraft models and documentation from manufacturers no longer in business.
Format: Digital PDF Download
Delivery: Instant download link upon purchase
Quality: High-resolution scans preserving original detail