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Aviation History
1935
1935 - 1110.PDF
526 FLIGHT. MAY 16, 1935. THE WOLSELEY "AQUARIUS'' A New Engine Suitable for Training Machines and " Feeder Line " Types : Sturdy Construction and Reliability Aimed at Rather Than Low Weight QUITE a rang^ of aero engines forms a part of the Wolseley development programme. Lord Nuffield is not a believer in doing things by halves, and he has sanctioned a programme for the next few years which should definitely place Wolseley aero engines among the world's leading aircraft power plants. The range at present contemplated includes powers from 150 b.h.p. to more than 500 b.h.p., and numbers of cylinders from seven to eighteen. All types will have this in common: they will be "blown," i.e., will have a geared induction fan or a super charger. With one exception—the smallest engine of the family— they will also all have air-screw re duction gearing. A recent visit to the Ward End, Birmingham, works of the company disclosed the fact that a considerable reorganisation has taken place, and that further extensions are likely to be made in the near future. The aero engine section of the huge Wolseley works is now a self-con tained unit with drawing office, shops, etc., removed from the motor car shops and so situated that work can proceed rapidly and with a maximum of efficiency. Wolseley " Aquarius " Type : 7-cyl. air-cooled radial. Bore : 4-j^in. 106 mm.). Stroke : 4|in. 120 mm.). Capacity : 458 c. in. 7 507 c.c). Compression ratio : f».35 : 1. Normal speed : 2 250 r.p.m. Max. speed : 2 475 r.p.m. Power at normal speed : 155 b.h.p. Power at max. speed : 170 b.h.p. Airscrew drive : Direct. Direction : Right-hand tractor. Fuel consumption at 75 per cent, of max. power: 0.54 pt. /b.h.p. /hr. 0,306 lilrexib.h.p.ihr.) — 8.0 gals./hr. 39 litresjhr.). Oil consumption: 1.5-3 pt./hr. 0,85-1,70 l;itr.). Weight: 3751b. 170 kg.). Specific weight: 2.2 lb. hp. 10,986 fcg'CT'). Overall diameter : 40 in. (J 020 mm.). Overall length : 36.4m. 926 mm.). This three-quarter rear view of the "Aquarius" shows the compact grouping of the equipment on the back of the engine. At the foot of the page is a front view. Of the several models actually in being or coming along little may be said at present, as it is desired to get every model through its type tests first, but in a general way it may be taken that the seven-cylin der engine which forms the subject of this article is typical, except for minor differences, of the whole range of engines. The Wolseley "Aquarius," as the new engine is called, is a seven-cylinder air-cooled radial of fairly orthodox design, in which robustness of construction, reliability, and long periods between overhauls have been aimed at rather than very low specific weight. This policy should be a very sound one in view of the fact that the engine has been designed specifically with the object of being suitable for installation in training aircraft, where a hard- wearing power plant is particularly needed. The "Aquarius" is, however, also very suitable for the smaller class of commercial aeroplanes -of the twin- engined type, in which a total horse-power of 300-350 suffices. The "Aquarius" passed its Air Ministry type tests in a most satisfactory manner, the tests being extended to cover a 100-hour endurance test. During the forty-hour run on the water brake at 90 per cent, of the rated power the maximum cylinder head temperature was 193 deg. C, and at full throttle 196 deg. C. This was followed by a fifty-hour endurance run driving a calibrated test airscrew. During this run the maximum cylinder head temperature at 90 per cent, power was 171 deg. C, and at full throttle the figure was 174 deg. C. The preliminary power curve showed a corrected full- throttle b.h.p. of 157 at 2,250 r.p.m. (the normal speed), and 170 b.h.p. at 2,475 r.p.m. (the maximum speed). The throttle curve gave an observed b.h.p. of 128 at 2,250 r.p.m., with a petrol consumption of 0.54 pint per b.h.p./ hr. From the detonation power curve the corrected fuJl- throttle b.h.p. was found to be 158 at 2,250 r.p.m., and 171 b.h.p. at 2,475 r.p.m. Power-consumption curves were taken at 50, 70, and 90 per cent, of full power.
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