Large contra rotating prop a/c on TV last night
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Large contra rotating prop a/c on TV last night
Last night watching on tv late night programme called "Winging It" (I think) about the ATA deliveries etc during WW2, lots of interesting footage Barracuda / Whitley/Halifax/ Anson/ B17 etc, etc, in the middle of the footage was a huge fighter type aircraft with in line cockpit, with what at first seemed to be contra rotating large diameter props, but then showed that both prop sets ran independently (2 engines in airframe ??) aircraft had huge pointed spinner & film showed engine start up & run then aircraft taking off, no idea what it was ???, any body else watch the programme & have an idea ? just didn't recognise the aircraft, help !!!, B Rgds, Paul H.
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Off-hand can only think of Fairey Gannet? Post war though...
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Apparently the Fairey Battle test-bed for the RR Exe piston engine(I.D'd on the Key Publishing Forum) (but where is it with those US types behind)?
A ramp shot early in the prog is a puzzle...there's a Lanc but also the Boeing XB-15/XC-105 giant
A ramp shot early in the prog is a puzzle...there's a Lanc but also the Boeing XB-15/XC-105 giant
Last edited by A30yoyo; 22nd Aug 2012 at 22:17.
Excellent programme were it not for some of the 'stock shots' used which appeared to have emanated from across the pond where as far as I'm aware, the ATA never operated ('cos they had their own ferry service).
I too wondered about the aircraft with two sets of exhausts but it was so late at night and the shot was stretched to fit a 16/9 picture so I never twigged it was a Battle!
Never heard of that engine before, presumably its development was overtaken by turboprops.
I too wondered about the aircraft with two sets of exhausts but it was so late at night and the shot was stretched to fit a 16/9 picture so I never twigged it was a Battle!
Never heard of that engine before, presumably its development was overtaken by turboprops.
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Talking of contra-rotating props, the best thing I ever flew on was the Antonov AN22 - google or utube that and see !
Last edited by dc9-32; 23rd Aug 2012 at 10:06.
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The RR Exe was an X24 and indeed flew in a Battle: but Fairey had their own engines, the Prince (H16) and Monarch (H24), both also in Battles, and both seemed to drive coax counter rotating propellers. The Monarch-engined Battle was sent to Wright Field for evaluation, and flew 250 hrs while there.
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Never heard of the Fairey engines or the Exe - as ever, one lives and learns! 
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Battle with Contra-rotating props
Sounds like the one with the Fairey Monarch engine is a candidate with the U.S background aircraft....new one to me , too!
See Posts #7 and #12 onFairey Battle evaluated in the USA - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums
See Posts #7 and #12 onFairey Battle evaluated in the USA - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums
Last edited by A30yoyo; 23rd Aug 2012 at 15:50.
The RR Exe was an X24 and indeed flew in a Battle: but Fairey had their own engines, the Prince (H16) and Monarch (H24), both also in Battles, and both seemed to drive coax counter rotating propellers. The Monarch-engined Battle was sent to Wright Field for evaluation, and flew 250 hrs while there.
Never heard of the Fairey engines or the Exe - as ever, one lives and learns! 
It was intended to fly in a Henley test-bed. A Battle would have been much more suitable.
The Exe-engined Battle was used as a Rolls-Royce liaison aircraft for many years after the engine was cancelled and never gave the slightest trouble.
Impressive for such a radical departure from RR's historical engine designs, especially considering the problems with the early Merlins which were based on previous experience.
Impressive for such a radical departure from RR's historical engine designs, especially considering the problems with the early Merlins which were based on previous experience.
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The Monarch-engined Battle was sent to Wright Field for evaluation, and flew 250 hrs while there.
Some photos of the Fairey engine on Flickr - I can't resize them tonight but see
flickr.com/photos/14948947@N05/7866629132
A 51 litre engine with 4 speed (!) supercharger, 2240 hp, £9000 each (According to Anthony Furse in his biog. of Wilfred Freeman)
flickr.com/photos/14948947@N05/7866629132
A 51 litre engine with 4 speed (!) supercharger, 2240 hp, £9000 each (According to Anthony Furse in his biog. of Wilfred Freeman)
Thanks for the pictures, Rory. What a "tidy" engine in comparison to the Merlin with all its "bolt-ons"!
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Via the magic 'share' facility on flickr....in the Cobham Hall annex, perhaps?
IMG_0242 by Rory57, on Flickr
Propellor assembly fromFairey P24 Engine at Yeovilton FAA museum by Rory57, on Flickr
Fairey P24 Engine at Yeovilton FAA museum by Rory57, on Flickr
IMG_0242 by Rory57, on Flickr
Propellor assembly fromFairey P24 Engine at Yeovilton FAA museum by Rory57, on Flickr
Fairey P24 Engine at Yeovilton FAA museum by Rory57, on Flickr
Last edited by A30yoyo; 27th Aug 2012 at 10:45.