Jet Powered Wellington and Lancaster!
Gentleman Aviator
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Jet Powered Wellington and Lancaster!
I was fascinated and intrigued to learn from Sqn Ldr Jim Heyworth's obituary last week (online Telegraph version here) that early trials flew the Whittle W2B engine in a converted Wellington and the prototype Nene engine in a converted Lancaster.
Googling hasn't helped to provide much more information, so I'd be grateful if any erudite Ppruners could point me in the direction of more information, and particularly if any photograhs or drawings exist in the public domain.
The obituary also refers to the Meteor as "the world's first propellor turbine aircraft". This may not be the error it appears to be, as the old grey cells seem to recall stories of a turbo-prop Meatbox,which would of course fit neatly with the straight wing and the engine position.
Many thanks.
Googling hasn't helped to provide much more information, so I'd be grateful if any erudite Ppruners could point me in the direction of more information, and particularly if any photograhs or drawings exist in the public domain.
The obituary also refers to the Meteor as "the world's first propellor turbine aircraft". This may not be the error it appears to be, as the old grey cells seem to recall stories of a turbo-prop Meatbox,which would of course fit neatly with the straight wing and the engine position.
Many thanks.
IIRC there are pictures of a Nene powered Lanc on the wall of the Langar control tower. Langar is now used exclusively by British Parachute Schools for skydiving but before they started it was a RCAF logistics base and before that an AVRO maintenance facility. The pic of the Lanc dates back to AVRO's time at the airfield which was in the 50's. Its not my picture and it is attached to a display in the tower so I'm afraid there is no way for me to get a copy.
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Try this link for the Lancaster...
Avro 691 Lancastrian Jet - jet engine testbed, research transport
TCF
Avro 691 Lancastrian Jet - jet engine testbed, research transport
TCF
Quite a few Lancasters and Lancastrians were modified from the mid 1940s to assist in the development of both turbo jet and turbo prop engines. Too many to list here: anyone interested should consult A J Jackson's book AVRO Aircraft. Details of all the modified a/c are included.
I do not have the equivalent Putnam Vickers book so cannot check whether the modified Wellingtons are covered. Guess they will be fewer in number.
Planemike
I do not have the equivalent Putnam Vickers book so cannot check whether the modified Wellingtons are covered. Guess they will be fewer in number.
Planemike
Here is a starter for 10
Iconic Aircraft Aviation Forum • View topic - Vickers Wellington & Whittle Engines
Iconic Aircraft Aviation Forum • View topic - Vickers Wellington & Whittle Engines
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The Vickers Putnam book details the Wellingtons used as jet engine test-beds.
Wellington 11 Z8570/Merlin X/Whittle jet engine, later Merlin XX/Rover-Whittle unit.
Two hybrid Wellingtons W5389 and W5518, Mk 11 fuselages, Mk V1 wings and Merlin 62. From 1944 until 1945 these two Wellingtons tested 15 types of jet engines, a total of 512 hours in 366 flights.
Ciarain.
Wellington 11 Z8570/Merlin X/Whittle jet engine, later Merlin XX/Rover-Whittle unit.
Two hybrid Wellingtons W5389 and W5518, Mk 11 fuselages, Mk V1 wings and Merlin 62. From 1944 until 1945 these two Wellingtons tested 15 types of jet engines, a total of 512 hours in 366 flights.
Ciarain.
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The obituary omits another prang Sqn Ldr Heyworth was involved in; this being the Dart testbed, Lancaster NG465.
This aircraft crashed on Hollinwell golf course near Annesley, Notts on 22 January 1954. The crew of 4 were unhurt.
This aircraft crashed on Hollinwell golf course near Annesley, Notts on 22 January 1954. The crew of 4 were unhurt.
Gentleman Aviator
Thread Starter
Thanks to you all for such swift and well-informed responses, which I shall spend happy hours following up. Would love to have heard the 2 x Merlin, 2 x Nene Lancastrian, although I suppose they may not have used them all together. I was certain I could rely on Pprune, but to get so much in less than 8 hours is amazing!
Skydiver69 - your mention of Langar was a "madeleine moment" for me too. We used the pool there for dinghy drills whilst on my JP BFTS at Syerston.
ISTR there was a beacon (Rebecca? Eureka?) at Langar also....
Skydiver69 - your mention of Langar was a "madeleine moment" for me too. We used the pool there for dinghy drills whilst on my JP BFTS at Syerston.
ISTR there was a beacon (Rebecca? Eureka?) at Langar also....
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Wander00,
It is too hot for a coat, well at least in Chessington, Surrey.
Both Putnam books are a source of considerable information, I am glad I have the whole set of the manufacturers books.
Ciarain.
It is too hot for a coat, well at least in Chessington, Surrey.
Both Putnam books are a source of considerable information, I am glad I have the whole set of the manufacturers books.
Ciarain.
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Jet powered Wellington
There's plenty on the Web and in the public domain regarding the Whittle Engine Wellingtons, eg the link below. Double click on it, and details of the Jet -Powered aircraft appear....
Wellington
Pm me if you want any other links.....
Andy
Wellington
Pm me if you want any other links.....
Andy
During a high level handling exercise in a Vampire FB9 in 1956, I came across a DC3 cruising very sedately at 35000+ feet over Nottingham. A close inspection revealed it was powered by two RR Darts. I assumed it was an engine test bed from the Rolls Royce airfield at Hucknall and returned to Swinderby with a tale to tell.
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brakedwell, info on the Dart DC-3 for you.
civil aviation | sir henry | henry royce | 1951 | 1294 | Flight Archive
B.E.A.'S TURBOPROP FREIGHTERS
WITHIN the next few weeks B.E.A. hope to take delivery of their second and final Dart-Dakota freighter. These aircraft are to be put into service on the Corporation's shorter Continental routes as the freight potential within the confines of the United Kingdom is not likely to provide enough traffic.
The Corporation's primary object in introducing the Dart-Dakotas is not to make money with them; they are intended to provide experience in operating the Dart turboprop prior to the delivery of Viscounts, and also to give crews a certain degree of familiarization with the power units. The two Dart-powered freighters are not re-engined Pionairs but normal Dakota conversions, all of the work having been undertaken by Rolls-Royce at Hucknall. They are named Sir Henry Royce and Claude Johnson (the latter name commemorates the man who was Sir Henry Royce's partner in the early days). The power units, Dart 504s rated at 1,400 h.p. (with a 365 lb static thrust) are as nearly as possible identical with the engines to be used in the Viscounts. The only modifications made were those required in order to accommodate the Dart nacelles in the Dakota's wing.
An extensive article located here 1952 | 3204 | Flight Archive
civil aviation | sir henry | henry royce | 1951 | 1294 | Flight Archive
B.E.A.'S TURBOPROP FREIGHTERS
WITHIN the next few weeks B.E.A. hope to take delivery of their second and final Dart-Dakota freighter. These aircraft are to be put into service on the Corporation's shorter Continental routes as the freight potential within the confines of the United Kingdom is not likely to provide enough traffic.
The Corporation's primary object in introducing the Dart-Dakotas is not to make money with them; they are intended to provide experience in operating the Dart turboprop prior to the delivery of Viscounts, and also to give crews a certain degree of familiarization with the power units. The two Dart-powered freighters are not re-engined Pionairs but normal Dakota conversions, all of the work having been undertaken by Rolls-Royce at Hucknall. They are named Sir Henry Royce and Claude Johnson (the latter name commemorates the man who was Sir Henry Royce's partner in the early days). The power units, Dart 504s rated at 1,400 h.p. (with a 365 lb static thrust) are as nearly as possible identical with the engines to be used in the Viscounts. The only modifications made were those required in order to accommodate the Dart nacelles in the Dakota's wing.
An extensive article located here 1952 | 3204 | Flight Archive
Last edited by Brian Abraham; 29th Jun 2010 at 00:21.
Teeters,there was R/E beacon at Langar,and the `high-dive into the pool,either followed by the dinghy pack,or on top of it.What year/course no. were you on?
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A story I was told when I was a participant in keeping Canberra's towing targets for various eagle eyed aces to try and turn into rags, about the position of the engines on Meteors and Canberra's.
The story was that when the Meatbox and Cranbry were in the design stage the jet engine was in its infancy, and the reliabilty was not assured, the engines bays were positioned so that if required, a piston engine and prop could be fitted.
I never found out if it were true or not, but when you look at them it does seem feasable.
The story was that when the Meatbox and Cranbry were in the design stage the jet engine was in its infancy, and the reliabilty was not assured, the engines bays were positioned so that if required, a piston engine and prop could be fitted.
I never found out if it were true or not, but when you look at them it does seem feasable.