Developed from the SARO
P.531, Westland built two more P.531/2 prototypes at Eastleigh with double the engine power (one with a 1050shp Bristol Siddeley Nimbus engine derated to 635shp and the other with a de Havilland
Gnome H.1000 turbine derated to 685shp) plus other changes, including a skid undercarriage. A 5 seat general purpose light helicopter, the Scout had two front seats and a three-seat rear bench; in the casevac role it carried two stretchers internally and two externally in panniers. Skid landing gear was standard. The Scout was suited to all the tasks of a lightweight helicopter: observation, liaison, training, SAR. As well as the British Army, export orders were also received for the Royal Australian
Navy (2), Royal Jordanian Air Force (3), Uganda
Police (2) and Bahrain
Police (2). About 150 Scouts were built (first 8 or so at Eastleigh, rest at Hayes) by the Spring of 1968.