The story
The Scout grew out of the Saunders-Roe P.531, a turbine-powered development of the little Skeeter, and Westland turned it into the Army Air Corps' general-purpose helicopter: liaison, observation, casualty evacuation and anti-tank work with wire-guided SS.11 missiles. It served in Borneo, Aden, Northern Ireland and the Falklands, where Scouts flew casualties, supplies and special forces. About 150 were built, and the Navy's Wasp shares much of its design. The Army retired the Scout in 1994. The Historic Army Aircraft Flight still flies XT626 in Britain.
The Scout pioneered Heli-Tele, the airborne television surveillance system the Army flew over Northern Ireland.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Scout?
A small, boxy helicopter on skids, with the Nimbus engine sitting uncowled behind the cabin under the rotor and a slim tail boom. Army green. The Navy's Wasp looks almost the same but stands on four castoring wheels instead of skids.
What does a Scout sound like?
A single Nimbus turboshaft whining over a steady rotor beat; the engine sits out in the open, so it is loud up close.
How fast is the Scout?
Top speed is 114 kts.
How many people does the Scout carry?
Typical configuration: 1-2 crew plus 4-5 passengers, or a 1,500 lb underslung load.
How far can the Scout fly?
Range is about 274 nmi.
How big is the Scout?
It is 30 ft 4 in long and 32 ft 3 in (main rotor) across the rotor.
When did the Scout first fly?
Its first flight was in 1960.
How many Scouts have been built?
About 150 built.
How rare is a Scout in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first Scout catch is worth 250 points.
