Agusta – Westland AW 101 „Merlin“ – the British - Italian helicopter

The Agusta Westland AW101 „Merlin” (formerly the EC101) is a modern British-Italian helicopter. The first flight of the prototype took place in 1987, and the machine reached full combat readiness in 1997-1999. The helicopter, the “Merlin” HM1 version, has an overall length of 19.53 meters and a main rotor diameter of 18.59 meters. The machine is equipped with three Rolls-Royce “Turbomeca” RTM332-01 engines, each with a power of 2100 h. p. The maximum speed in horizontal flight is about 310 km/h. The helicopter has a classic construction with a single main rotor and a tail control propeller. The machine, now designated the AW101, entered service in the late 1960s, when both the British and Italian navies decided they needed to replace the slowly aging Westland “Sea King” machines. The result of the negotiations was in 1979 a special consortium was created to develop a new helicopter. After many years of work and research, a complex and heavy machine was created, but it had very extensive avionics, could carry a large range of weapons and equipment and had a long service life. However, it must be added, that the introduction of machines into service was not without problems, which, however, were systematically, although often delayed, solved. Agusta Westland AW101 helicopters are currently in service with: Danish, Canadian, Japanese, Italian and British navies and AF. In 2019 Poland signed a contract to purchase 4 helicopters of this type for its Navy.

A large, complex, well detailed and designed model in the beautiful Polish Navy camouflage, intended for these aircraft.