Westland Wyvern Aviation Art Print by Chris French FGAvA
Westland’s Wyvern has the honour of being the only turbo-prop attack aircraft ever to operate from a British carrier. The prototype first flew in 1946 with what remains the most powerful piston engine ever to be fitted to a British aircraft, the Rolls Royce Eagle. After a turbulent development the aircraft eventually served with four squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm from May 1953. Outmoded by the swift advance of jet technology the aircraft only served until 1956 but did take part in the British operations over the Suez canal. The aircraft pictured come from 813 Squadron, deployed aboard HMS Eagle during the Suez campaign.
