FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1961
1961 - 1272.PDF
374 FLIGHT, 1 September 1961 English Electric Aviation Blue Water tactical bombardment missile in exhibition finish are at present being used by Westcott "forthe study of problems associated with the development of large motors for ballistic-missile or space applications." Bristol Aerojet have evolved a method of fabricatingthe case by the spiral welding of high-tensile steel strip, a method which eliminates boththe need for large sheets of steel rolled to close tolerances and longitudinal welds.The exhibit has a single fixed nozzle. A colour film underlines the establish-ment's considerable breadth of research activity, particularly (nowadays) into solid-propellant motors, and concentrates upon such fundamental problems as the evolu-tion of the optimum charge cross-section and the perfection of swivelling nozzles orother schemes for providing thrust-vector control. Remarkably clear slow-motionsequences explain the combustion of star- centred charges, which can be so arrangedas to maintain an approximately constant combustion periphery and hence substanti-ally unchanged thrust right up to burnout. In the same part of the Ministry'senclosure may be found a free-flight research model which, although not fromWestcott—it was first seen at the RAE Open Day in June—is propelled by twin solid-fuelmotors. The model under test rides on these motors, and telemeters data duringcoasting flight from a burnout and separa- tion speed of some 1,150 m.p.h. jaguar hypersonic research vehicle Rolls-Royce Conv/ay RCo.42/1 powerplant engineering mock-up TWENTY-SECOND SBAC SHOW . . . As the photograph shows, the RCo.42/1is dressed externally in an extremely neat manner, and it is unusual in that most ofthe major units carried on the engine are supplied to Vickers to the latter company'sown installational requirements. These units include an English Electric Sundstranddrive (with self-contained oil system) and alternator, and a Godfrey/SRM gearboxcompressor (described in Flight last week) to provide cabin air. In an engine of thistype, with a very high pressure-ratio, it is difficult to find a suitable point from whichto bleed air for cabin pressurization at a sufficiently low temperature; and, in anycase, the mechanically driven compressor imposes a smaller penalty in terms of fuelconsumption. The RCo.42 reverser is a refinement of the unit employed in thepresent Conway, and it is actuated by eight pneumatic rams. No suppressor is specifiedfor the present VC10, for Vickers and BOAC consider that noise problems withthis aircraft should be obviated by its excellent field performance and climbgradient. Rover TP/90 turboprop Rover TP/90 At the 1960 SBAC ShowRover Gas Turbines introduced the small turboprop which they have been developingfrom the well-known 60 and 90 h.p. single- shaft engine used in airborne auxiliarypowerplants and many marine and industrial applications. During the past year thecompany have financed considerable further development, and the present TP/90 is arefined and attractive unit. Weighing 2001b complete with all accessories but withoutthe Dowty-Rotol McCauley propeller, it delivers 120 b.h.p. for take-off and has aspecific consumption of 1.36 at the con- tinuous rating of 100 b.h.p. This increasedpower is achieved by employing the larger compressor used in the Vulcan airborneauxiliary powerplant and by machining the larger turbine from a forged disc ofNimonic 105. Moreover, the propeller reduction gear now has but a single stage,and the output shaft carries bevel drives to a hydraulic pump and generator. Enquirieshave been received from aircraft manu- facturers in the US, Canada, Australiaand Italy, and the actual engine displayed (in a wing installation) is expected to havepassed a complete ARB type-test well before the end of the year. Rover are announcing the Double/90, inwhich two TP/90 power sections are coupled through a free-wheel reduction gearbox toa single propeller. The Double/90 weighs 3591b and is rated at 240 b.h.p. for take-off. Rocket Propulsion Establishment In the outdoor equipment park the Ministry ofAviation are exhibiting examples of current research programmes by the RPE atWestcott. Easily the largest piece of hard- ware is an experimental solid-propellantmotor, manufactured by Bristol Aerojet, which must be one of the largest yet pro-duced in this country—although still puny in comparison with the Aerojet-Generalmotor described on pages 363 and 406. Having a diameter of 3ft, it produces athrust of 40,0001b at sea level and has a burning time of 50sec. Motors of this size
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
