Picture ref: IWM (A 11644)

Great as always - BTW you mentioned the aircraft in the illustrations - they’re Grumman Martlets, the Fleet Air Arm version of the American Wildcat fighter. Here’s one about to take off from HMS Formidable, which took part in the operation.

Can’t unsee that now 🤣

There was one other aspect to the Welkin programme. A single NF Mark II two-seat radar equipped version was completed, though no production order followed. There was no need for the type when Mosquito night fighters were already proving highly successful.
📷 yeovilhistory.info
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The Welkin’s armament was four 20mm cannon. The type officially entered RAF service in May 1944, though in the event just 2 aircraft were used to develop high altitude tactics at the Fighter Interception Unit until September. The type was officially retired in November.
📷 historynet.com
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The Welkin’s cockpit was pressurised, but set at 24,000 feet, meaning pilots still had to wear an oxygen mask and survival suit. The need to maintain a seal around the cockpit resulted in a complex electrical system, which required extensive checks before every flight.
📷 historynet.com
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The most striking aspect of the Welkin’s design was its wingspan of 70ft, necessary to maintain stability at its maximum altitude of 44,000 feet. However, this resulted in the aircraft needing careful handling and the risk of losing control at high speed was significant
📷 militarymatters.online
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Though bearing some resemblance to the Westland Whirlwind, the Welkin Mark I was a very different beast. Its two 1,200hp Merlin 76/77 engines were fitted with two-stage superchargers to maximise high altitude performance. In tests, the aircraft reached 385mph at 26,000ft.
📷 IWM ATP 12398E
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Good job the RN learned their lesson about safe cordite storage after this, though? Oh. Oh dear…