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Westland Welkin |
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Aircraft of the Royal Air Force |
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Entwicklung |
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The Westland Welkin was a British twin-engine heavy fighter from the Westland Aircraft Company, designed to fight at extremely high altitudes. First conceived in 1940, it was built from 1942–43 in response to the arrival of modified Junkers Ju 86P bombers flying reconnaissance missions that suggested the Luftwaffe might attempt to re-open the bombing of England from high altitude. The threat never materialised; consequently, Westland produced only a small number of Welkins and few of these flew. |
Das Westland Welkin war ein britischer Zweimotoriger schwerer Jäger von der Westland Aircraft Company, entworfen wurde um in extrem grossen Höhen zu kämpfen. konzipiert wurde sie im Jahre 1940, 1942-43 wurde sie als Reaktion auf die Ankunft von modifizierten Junkers Ju 86P Bombern, die Aufklärungsmissionen flogen. Es wurde angenommen, die Luftwaffe könne die Bombardierung von England aus der grosser Höhe wieder aufnehmen. Die Bedrohung bewahrheitete sich nicht, folglich produzierte Westland nur eine kleine Anzahl von Welkins und wenige von ihnen flogen. |
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Versionen |
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I |
Single-seat twin-engine high altitude fighter aircraft. |
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Einsitziger zweimotoriger Höhenjäger. |
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Two-seat night fighter prototype. |
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Zweisitzer-Nachtjäger Prototyp. |
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Operational history |
Einsatzgeschichte |
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By the time the Welkin Mk.I was complete and in production, it was apparent that the Luftwaffe was no longer conducting high altitude missions, due largely to successful interceptions by specially modified Supermarine Spitfires. Only 77 complete Welkins were produced, plus a further 26 as engine-less airframes. Two Welkins served with the Fighter Interception Unit based at RAF Wittering from May to November 1944, where they were used to gain experience and formulate tactics for high altitude fighter operations. |
Zu der Zeit, als die Welkin Mk.I fertig und in der Produktion war, zeigte sich, dass die Luftwaffe nicht mehr Höheneinsätze durchführte, vor allem durch das erfolgreiche Abfangen durch speziell modifizierte Supermarine Spitfires. Nur 77 Welkins wurden produziert, plus weitere 26 als motorlose Maschinen. Zwei Welkins dienten mit der Fighter Interception Unit auf RAF Wittering von Mai bis November 1944. Hier wurden sie verwendet, um Erfahrungen für die Taktik von Höheneinsatz Operationen zu sammeln. |
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Fighter Interception Unit |
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last update 10. May 2017 |
written 27. March 2016 |
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