Whittle was well aware that the axial flow compressor had the potential for a mass flow far in excess of the centrifugal compressor, however as engineers and scientists had not resolved the complex aerodynamic problems the axial flow presented he took the decision to use the proven centrifugal compressor
One of the forgotten men in jet engine development is David Smith
The Urmston Connection - a tribute to Dr. David Smith FRS.
Dr.David Smith was a mathematically gifted Scot living in Bowden Cheshire, employed by Metropolitan Vickers Trafford Park Manchester. David Smith had written several mathematical papers on the problems of steam turbine rotor stability and was held in deep respect for his analytical mind and use of the calculus.
The achievement for which David Smith will be best remembered was his role in the development of the first British axial flow jet engine for aircraft propulsion. I was fortunate enough to meet David Smith after his retirement. David passed away in 1986, and was described in his obituary published by the FRS as an 'intellectual giant' praise indeed from the institute.
Although he was a steam turbine design engineer within Metropolitan Vickers, David Smith, and others at the company were aware of the possibilities of the axial flow turbojet engine.
Originally, the first British axial-flow aircraft gas turbine B10 (Betty) was to have been built by the RAE (Royal Aircraft Establishment) the engines compressor was based on test data from experimental compressor 'Anne' built to a design by AA Griffith of the RAE and manufactured by Fraser and Chalmers. A senior scientist within the RAE, A.A.Griffith had published paper on gas turbine development as early as 1926, and together with Hayne Constant also of the RAE considered that the compressors of future gas turbines should be of the axial type; However, the RAE did not have the manufacturing or research capability to make this aerodynamically complex compressor work on a scale sufficient to power an aircraft.
In 1937 discussions took place between the RAE and Metropolitan Vickers chief engineer Dr. Karl Baumann who in turn appointed Dr. David Smith to lead the design, development and manufacturing team. Work started at the company the following year under an Air Ministry Contract.
The experimental non-flight engine B10 had proved successful, with a compression ratio of 2:1. B10 amazed engineers by running happily with the turbine casing glowing with a dull red heat.
As war broke out and the Trafford Park Factory became committed to war work and space was at a premium, B10 had set fire to the research facility so it was decided to extend a small overspeed test cell which had been built in some secrecy on land off Barton Dock Road Urmston Manchester with a view to relocate all gas turbine research and development. For a brief period the salt mines in Wincham had been used for engine testing, however pollution and fog from the nearby industrial town of Northwich caused contamination of the compressor blading which effected performance tests so all efforts were concentrated at 'Barton Test'.
The first flight engine F2 (Freda) ran in a test cell during December 1942, by June 1943 an F2 engine of 1800 lb static thrust was altitude tested in the tail of a Lancaster Bomber. The Lancaster which operated from the RAE Farnborough became the topic of much local discussion as it flew over the Manchester area. Interestingly the aircraft allocated by the ministry was the Lancaster prototype which proved to be most unreliable, much to the frustration of Dr. Smith and the Metrovic team.
The first aircraft to be powered by and axial flow turbojet was a Gloster F/9 40 Meteor aircraft, the flight took place at the RAE on the 13th November 1943.
Metrovic continued turbojet development, the last flight engine being the F9 Sapphire, the design of which was handed to Armstong Siddley when Metropolitan Vickers decided to opt out of aircraft gas turbines and concentrate manufacturing and development on Industrial and Marine steam and gas turbines.
The Sapphire engine was also license built in the USA as the J65