Carson Blades
 

Does anyone know what is happening with the SK4 and Carson Blades saga?

They are still flying trials

sw

It was rumoured that there might be a conflict of interest between the Design Authority (Westlands) who must approve the modification and some guys that want to sell us their latest BERP 4 blades instead....oh that'll be Westlands again:{

Now I wouldn't normally defend Wastelands, but on this occasion I have to stand up and let people know they are actually doing their bit to make the Carson and five bladed tail rotor work. It can't be easy for them, when they really want to sell their own blades, but they're being grown up and helping.

As for the Carson and new tail rotor, they all appear to be working as advertised, but that's all i'll say!

SK4 and Carson Blades saga
There is no saga. What are you fishing for?

Poor choice of words since I normally associate saga with the holidays my Mum goes on and fishing bores me anyway. I was simply interested to see where things were with the SK4 - you can get out of touch stuck at a desk and at my great age all the sqn chums I had have headed off elsewhere - retirement mostly. It just seems we have talked about potential and then it's all gone quiet - I simply thought of it when the media were wheeling out the shortage of SH in Afghanistan the other evening whilst I was drinking my Horlicks. It must be Friday afternoon as I'm being defensive - roll on Happy Hour.

Now ... SK4 and Gilbert Blades. THAT'S a saga. :}












Sorry, it's been a long week. I'll get my coat.

See you in Happy Hour then...

Compressorstall

Give the Junglie Tac Dev bloke at the MWC a ring. He should be up to speed on the "saga".:)

He is a Saga unto himself....nice bloke, Scottish i believe:rolleyes:. Also try Bosc' Down (the test blokes) and 846 NAS. The latter being the first Junglie Sqn to receive the blades...the Saga continues....

'scuse ignorance - what's the difference between BERP4 and Carson blades, then?

One is made by Carson and is fitted and flying on a Sea King with plenty more available at short notice.
The other is designed by Westlands :E

Ah, nuff said!:ok:

British Experimental Rotor Profile 4 blades have very clever profiles that do not just include the tip. The profile alters from about 1/3 chord to the swept tip. Usual aim is to reduce effect of retreating blade stall and choreolis type wake interaction with the following blade. Downside is higher low speed vibration and potential 'cobble stoning'. That's off the top of my head - I'm sure Google will put me straight. BERP4 is planned for the recently acquired Danish Merlin in lieu of the BERP blades currently fitted to Merlin Mk3.

From what I've seen, the Carson blades look much simpler and do not alter the blade camber with chord length; the main difference appears to be the tips.

Would be interested to know a more 'expert' opinion.

AEO - thanks.

I'm surprised in this day and age of everything being designed down to the nth degree that you can just stick a new design of blade (a fairly fundamental structure of a helo) onto an existing cab (Merlin) and it will work. I'm not doubting it will work. Presume it's down to developments in computer technology although I'd love to believe someone's being tinkering in a musty old wooden shed for months and produced a revolutionary design!

According to QinetiQ, the programme to trial the Carson blades on the Seaking Mk4 at Boscombe will finish in November.
20hrs of flight testing is required going by the info, at the time of the info going to press, 4.5hrs were completed. So i gather they should be into the latter stages of the trial now?

See HERE

The link you have added was last years feasibility study that has completed.

Had a feeling after i posted it actually :(

I'll walk off into the sunset... :\

Don't forget that the Carson blades are just one part of the upgrade. The 'Indian' Tail Rotor is another part, I would be interested to see if that has gone seamlessley or not:8

The Carson blades have different aerofoils as well as a different tip, and have also more twist. The only thing in common with the older blades is the chord length and radius.