The Westland Scout was a light helicopter developed by Westland Helicopters. Developed from the Saro P.531, it served as a land-based general purpose military helicopter, sharing a common ancestor and numerous components with the naval-orientated Westland Wasp helicopter.

The type’s primary operator was the Army Air Corps of the British Army, who operated it in several conflict zones, including Northern Ireland and the Falklands War. It was progressively replaced in British service by the Westland Gazelle reconnaissance helicopter, and the larger Westland Lynx battlefield utility helicopter.

XP848 first flew on 13th April 1962 at White Waltham; it was transferred to Boscombe Down for operational trials. It then spent time at Westlands, then to Middle Wallop, and then to various squadrons in the UK and Germany. After returning to Middle Wallop for a spell, it was then transferred to the FAST Museum by road on 3rd Sept 2015.

Technical Specifications

Crew : 1 or 2
Capacity : 4 or 5 passengers
Length : 9.25m (30ft 4in)
Rotor Diameter : 9.83m (32ft 3in)
Height : 2.72m (8ft 11in)
Engine : 1 Rolls Royce Nimbus 101 Turboshaft
Power (each engine) : 780kw (1,050hp)
Maximum Speed : 211km/h (131mph)
Service Ceiling : 5,400m (17,700ft)
Empty Weight : 1,466kg (3,232b)
Loaded Weight : 2,404kg (5,300lb)
Range : 507km (315miles)