Saro P.531

Development

Design of the P.531 was started in November 1957 as a private venture improvement of the company's earlier Skeeter. The first prototypes were powered by a derated 325 shp Blackburn Turbomeca Turmo 600, a free turbine engine allowing clutchless transmission. The P.531 first flew on the 20 July 1958. Three more developed P.531-0s followed and these were delivered to the Royal Navy/Fleet Air Arm for trials and familiarisation. Following evaluation by the Navy a batch of 30 developed aircraft were eventually ordered as the Westland Wasp.

Two militiarised P.531-2s were completed in 1959, powered by the Blackburn Nimbus and the de Havilland Gnome H1000 free-turbine engines, both derated to 635 hp now that the transmission tests had proved such powers acceptable. Like the Turmo installation, these engines were mounted, uncowled behind the cabin for easy servicing. There were aerodynamic shape revisions and a floor extension to allow six, rather than five seats. The vision was improved with perspex panels in the doors, tankage was increased and all-metal rotors introduced. These modifications increased gross weight by 1,200 lb (544 kg).

Saro had an order for eight pre-production aircraft from the Army Air Corps for evaluation and trials; these would have been known as the Saro Sprite, but the company was taken over by Westland and the aircraft became the first Scout A.H.1s.

Another P.531-2 was built for evaluation by the Indian government but following a lack of interest was re-worked as Scout standard for the Army Air Corps.

P.531

Prototype powered by the Turmo 600, one built. Had a short tailplane for c.g. adjustment, though not always installed.

P.531-0

Three further prototypes with full scale tailplane, Turmo powered. All three were used by the Navy, with many deck landings; these flights fed into the later development of the Westland Wasp.

P.531-2

Militarised version for both Army and Navy use, powered by a slightly derated 635 hp (474 kW) Blackburn Nimbus free-turbine engine. Two built by Saro, the second initially powered by a de Havilland Gnome H.1000, derated to 635 hp. It was later developed as the forerunner of the Westland Scout.

Operators

 United Kingdom

Army Air Corps

Fleet Air Arm

Aircraft on display

The second and third prototypes are held by the Fleet Air Arm Museum for display whilst one of the P.531-2's is on display at the Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare.

Specifications (P.531, G-APNU)

Data from

General characteristics

Crew: 2

Capacity: 3

Length: rotors folded 29 ft 0 in (8.84 m)

Main rotor diameter: 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m)

Height: 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)

Empty weight: 2,092 lb (949 kg)

Gross weight: maximum overload 3,800 lb (1,724 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Blackburn-Turbomeca Turmo turboshaft, derated to 325 hp (242 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 121 mph (194 km/h)

Cruise speed: 108 typical mph (175 km/h)

Range: 242 miles (390 km)

Service ceiling: free hover 2,300 ft (700 m)

Rate of climb: initial 540 ft/min (2.74 m/s)