Tom Handley IWM Interview Whirlwinds

[Mr BlueSky]

British NCO and Pilot Officer flying Whirlwind and Typhoon IB with 263 & 137 Sqdn's, RAF based in Great Britain and North West Europe, 1943-1945

For ease it's on YouTube...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKPE...ature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKPETFQMpmg&feature=youtu.be)

[India Four Two]

MBS,

Thanks for posting that very interesting interview. I've always liked the Whirlwind. It's a shame it was let down by its Peregrine engines.

One thing that surprised me was Tom Handley's mention of the lack of a cross-feed cock. That severely reduces the chances of returning home on one engine, if only half your fuel is available. What a surprising omission by Teddy Petter.

Did other British twins of the same era have cross-feeds?

[Mr BlueSky]

I put the very same question to Fred Ballam (2003... ) that Jerry Brewer wanted to know the reason why cross feeds weren't used on the Whirlwind, his answer was shocklingly simple, it wasn't asked for and WAL didn't pursue it as it would create more plumbing, which would mean less space, more weight and most importantly, more expense... :rolleyes:

Hard times...

[LowNSlow]

Mr Petter also routed the exhausts through the fuel tanks. Streamlined? Yes. Dubious engineering practice? Hell Yes!! :confused:

He did redeem himself with the EE Lightning