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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 0911.PDF
594 FLIGHT Marathons on the Way ..... Returning to the subject of th« Armstrong Siddeley Mamba-powered Marathon 2, progress on this experimental prototype has, after a period of inactivity, been good. The two Mamba turboprops replace the inboard Gipsy Queens, being mounted ahead of the wing leading edge. The engine nacelles deepen rearwards towards the main wheel- stowage compartments and the oil tanks are situated beneath the combustion chambers. The jet pipes are directed quite sharply upwards over the wing spar and then follow the wing upper surface to exhaust level with the tail of the nacelles. On the Gipsy Queen-engined Marathon the rear ends of the four nacelles house the sizeable guide-rails and operating mechanism for the flaps (see illustration). In the case of the Marathon 2, small so-called dummy nacelles are fitted to fair off this flap gear. It has been suggested that as these dummy nacelles must be fitted, they might be enlarged to full drop-tank proportions in order to be able to carry more kerosene for the Mambas, wing space for the tanks being rather restricted. Among the various modifications necessary for installa- tion of turboprops is the strengthening of the tailplane and fins. The jet pipes discharge over these surfaces but, as the efflux is very small, ill-effects are improbable. Although the Marathon 2 appears well advanced, a great deal of detail equipment, including the engine controls, has to be looked after, and certain items are in short supply- The experimental section will have to work very hard to complete the aircraft in time for it to fly and appear at this year's S.B.A.C. display.
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