Westland IV

The Westland IV, built by Westland Aircraft in the early 1920s, was the company's first purpose‑built civil aeroplane. Designed shortly after the First World War, the type made its maiden flight in March 1923 and entered limited service with a handful of British regional airlines, most notably Imperial Airways. The aircraft was a single‑engine biplane of conventional layout, constructed with a wooden frame and fabric covering. It was powered by a 120 hp (90 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial engine that drove a two‑bladed propeller, giving it a top speed of about 110 mph (180 km h‑1) and a range of roughly 300 miles (480 km). The pilot sat in an open cockpit while a small, fully enclosed cabin accommodated two passengers or a light cargo load. Its simple, robust design and low operating costs made it attractive for early scheduled services and for aerial survey work. Although only a small number were built, the Westland IV demonstrated Westland Aircraft's ability to transition from wartime fighter production to the civilian market, laying the groundwork for later successful transports such as the Westland Wapiti and the Limousine series, and contributed to the evolution of British commercial aviation.

Westland Aircraft

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Design & Classification