Rolls-Royce Avon: Difference between revisions
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;[[Svenska Flygmotor]] RM5:Licence production of the RA.3/Mk.109 for the [[Saab 32 Lansen]] |
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;Westinghouse XJ54:Avon scaled-down by [[Westinghouse Aviation Gas Turbine Division|Westinghouse]] to 105 lb/sec airflow to produce 6,200 lb thrust.<ref>"World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines - 5th edition" by [[Bill Gunston]], Sutton Publishing, 2006</ref> |
;Westinghouse XJ54:Avon 300-series scaled-down by [[Westinghouse Aviation Gas Turbine Division|Westinghouse]] to 105 lb/sec airflow to produce 6,200 lb thrust.<ref>"World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines - 5th edition" by [[Bill Gunston]], Sutton Publishing, 2006</ref> |
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==Applications== |
==Applications== |
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Revision as of 19:00, 23 September 2014
| Avon | |
|---|---|
| |
| Rolls-Royce Avon | |
| Type | Turbojet |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Rolls-Royce |
| First run | Spring Template:Avyear |
| Major applications | English Electric Canberra English Electric Lightning Vickers Valiant Hawker Hunter Saab 35 Draken |
| Number built | >11,000 |
The Rolls-Royce Avon was the first axial flow jet engine designed and produced by Rolls-Royce. Intended as a jet successor to the Merlin, introduced in 1950 it went on to become one of their most successful post-World War II engine designs. It was used in a wide variety of aircraft, both military and civilian, as well as versions for stationary and maritime power.
An English Electric Canberra powered by two Avons made the first un-refuelled non-stop transatlantic flight by a jet, and a BOAC de Havilland Comet 4 powered by four Avons made the first scheduled transatlantic crossing by a jet airliner.
Production of the Avon aero engine version ended after 24 years in 1974.[1]
The current version of the Avon, the Avon 200, is an industrial gas generator that is rated at 21-22,000shp. As of 2011, 1,200 Industrial Avons have been sold, and the type has established a 60,000,000 hour class record for its class.[2]
Design and development
The Avon design team was headed by Cyril Lovesey, who had previously been in charge of Merlin development. The engine was intended both as an experiment in axial-flow engines, as well as (if successful) a replacement for the 5,000 lbf (22 kN) Nene. Originally known as the AJ.65 for Axial Jet, 6,500 lbf which was originally designed by Alan Arnold Griffith,[1] the engine developed as a single-spool design with an eight, later 10 stage compressor, mass flow rate of 150 lb/s (68 kg/s) and a pressure ratio of 7.45. Development started in 1945 and the first prototypes were built in 1947. Introduction was somewhat slowed by a number of minor problems. The first Avons to fly were two Avon RA.2s in the converted Lancastrian military serial VM732, which flew from Hucknall on August 15, 1948.
Initially a private venture for the company, government backing was forthcoming around the time of the first prototypes.[3]
The modifications and improvements introduced to the Avon 200 series were considerable, resulting in a completely different engine with very little in common with the early Marks. Despite this, the name Avon was retained. Differences included a completely new combustion section, a 15 stage compressor based on that of the Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire, as well as other improvements.[1]
Operational history
The engine eventually entered production in 1950, the original RA.3/Mk.101 version providing 6,500 lbf (29 kN) thrust in the English Electric Canberra B.2.[1] Similar versions were used in the Canberra B.6, Hawker Hunter and Supermarine Swift. Uprated versions soon followed, the RA.7/Mk.114 producing 7,350 lbf (32,700 N) in the de Havilland Comet C.2, the RA.14/Mk.201 of 9,500 lbf (42 kN) in the Vickers Valiant and the RA.26 of 10,000 lbf (44 kN) used in the Comet C.3 and Hawker Hunter F.6. An Avon-powered de Havilland Comet 4 flew the first scheduled transatlantic jet service in 1958. The line eventually topped out with the 12,690 lbf (56,450 N) and 16,360 lbf (72,770 N) in afterburner RA.29 Mk.301/2 (RB.146) used in later versions of the English Electric Lightning. Other aircraft to use the Avon included the de Havilland Sea Vixen, Supermarine Scimitar and Fairey Delta.
The Avon was also produced under license by Svenska Flygmotor as the RA.3/Mk.109 as the RM5, and an uprated RA.29 as the RM6 with 17,110 lbf (76,110 N). The RM5 powered the Saab Lansen, while the RM6 was the main powerplant of the SAAB Draken and night fighter version of the Lansen.
Production was also carried out in Belgium by Fabrique Nationale, including 300 Avon 113s, and a larger number of Avon 203s.[4]
In the US, the Avon was used to power the vertical landing Ryan X-13 Vertijet aircraft (in RA.28-49 form).
In Australia, the Avon was used by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation to power its heavily modified variant of the F-86 Sabre, known as the CA-27 Avon-Sabre.
The Avon continued production, mostly for the use in the Sud Aviation Caravelle and English Electric (BAC) Lightning, until 1974, by which time over 11,000 had been built. The engine garnered an impressive safety record over that time. The Avon remained in operational service with the RAF, powering the English Electric Canberra PR.9, until 23 June 2006.
Intended replacement for the Avon - and interchangeable with it - was the Rolls-Royce RB106.[5]
Variants
- AJ65
- The original designation, standing for Axial Jet 6,500 lbs thrust
- RA.1
- Prototype engines for testing and development.
- RA.2
- Pre-production engines for testing. 6,000 lbf (26.69 kN)
- RA.3
- Civil designation for the first Avon production mark - 6,500 lbf (28.91 kN).
- RA.7
- Civil designation for the uprated version of the Avon. - 7,350 lbf (32.69 kN).
- RA.7R
- The RA.7 with reheat
- RA.14
- Civil designation for the uprated version of the Avon with can-annular combustion chamber and Sapphire style compressor - 9,500 lbf (42.26 kN).
- RA.21
- 8,050 lbf (35.81 kN) Production engine developed from the RA.7.
- RA.24
- RA.25
- Civil Mk.503
- RA.26
- Further improvements to the Avon 200 series - Civil Mk.521
- RA.28
- Second generation variant 10,000 lbf (44.48 kN)
- RA.29
- Civil designation for the Mk.300 series (used by the Sud Aviation Caravelle)
- RA.29/1
- RA.29/3
- RA.29/6
- Mk.100 series
- Military designation for the RA.3 Avon - 6,500 lbf (28.91 kN).
- Mk.114
- Military designation for the RA.7 Avon - 7,350 lbf (32.69 kN).
- Mk.200 series
- Military designation for the uprated version of the Avon with can-annular combustion chamber and Sapphire style compressor - 9,500 lbf (42.26 kN).
- Mk.300 series
- Developed after-burning engines for the English Electric Lightning.
- RB.146 Mk.301:The ultimate Military Avon for the English Electric Lightning - 12,690 lbf (56.45 kN) dry, 16,360 lbf (72.77 kN) wet.
- RB.146 Mk.302:Essntially similar to the Mk.301
- Avon 504
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 506
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 522
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 524
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 524B
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 525
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 525B
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 527
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 527B
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 531
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 531B
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 532R
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 532R-B
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 533R
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Avon 533R-11A
- Civilian equivalent to military Mk.200 variants.
- Svenska Flygmotor RM5
- Licence production of the RA.3/Mk.109 for the Saab 32 Lansen
- Svenska Flygmotor RM6
- Uprated RA.29/Mk.300 for the Saab Draken
- Westinghouse XJ54
- Avon 300-series scaled-down by Westinghouse to 105 lb/sec airflow to produce 6,200 lb thrust.[6]
Applications
Military aviation
- CAC Sabre
- de Havilland Sea Vixen
- English Electric Canberra
- English Electric Lightning
- Fairey Delta 2
- Hawker Hunter
- Ryan X-13 Vertijet
- Saab 35 Draken
- Saab Lansen
- Supermarine Swift
- Supermarine Scimitar
- Vickers Valiant
Civil aviation
Other uses
- The Avon is also currently marketed as a compact, high reliability, stationary power source. As the AVON 1533, it has a maximum continuous output of 21,480 shp (16.02 MW) at 7,900 rpm and a thermal efficiency of 30%.[citation needed] In 1982, an Avon engine on gas pumping duty in a Canadian installation ran for 53,000 hours before requiring a major overhaul.[citation needed] In 1994, another industrial Avon engine ran non-stop for 476 days (11,424 hours).[citation needed]
- As a compact electrical generator, the type EAS1 Avon based generator can generate a continuous output of 14.9 MW.[citation needed]
- On 4 October 1983, Richard Noble's Thrust2 vehicle, powered by a single Rolls-Royce Avon 302 jet engine, set a new land-speed record of 1,019.46 km/h (633.46 mph) at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada.
- Jetblack (Landspeed record contender, announced in October 2011 and planned for 2012).
Survivors
- Several Avon-powered Hawker Hunter aircraft remain airworthy in private ownership in 2010.[7]
- Thunder City in South Africa as of 2011 operated two Avon-powered English Electric Lightnings.[8]
Engines on display
- A Mk 524 Avon has been restored at the National Air Museum in Moron, Argentina and is now on display
.
- An Avon Mk.203 was donated by Rolls-Royce to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in July 1986 for public display.[9]
- A Rolls-Royce Avon is on public display at the Midland Air Museum.[10]
- A preserved Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.203 is on display at the Royal Air Force Museum London.[11]
- A partially sectioned Mk.101 Avon is on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford.[12]
- A Rolls-Royce Avon is on display at the Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin, Victoria, Australia
Specifications (Avon 301R)
Data from [13]
General characteristics
- Type: Turbojet
- Length: 126 in (3,200 mm)
- Diameter: 35.7 in (907 mm)
- Dry weight: 2,890 lb (1,310 kg)
Components
- Compressor: 15-stage axial flow
- Combustors: Cannular, 150 lb/s (68 kg/s)
- Turbine: Two-stage axial flow
- Fuel type: Kerosene
Performance
- Maximum thrust: 12,690 lbf (56.4 kN)dry/16,360 lbf (72.8 kN) with reheat
- Overall pressure ratio: 7.45:1
- Specific fuel consumption: 0.932 lb/(lbf⋅h) or 26.4 g/(kN⋅s) (dry) 1.853 lb/(lbf⋅h) or 52.5 g/(kN⋅s) (wet) [14]
- Thrust-to-weight ratio: 5.66:1 (56 N/kg)
See also
Comparable engines
- Allison J35
- Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire
- Metrovick F.2
- Pratt & Whitney J57
- Rolls-Royce RB106 - designed as an Avon replacement
- SNECMA Atar
Related lists
References
Notes
- ^ a b c d Gunston 1989, p. 149.
- ^ "Avon 200". Rolls-Royce. 2013-05-15. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- ^ Flight 16 December 1955 p901
- ^ "hispano suiza | canadian pratt | flight international | 1962 | 1011 | Flight Archive". Flightglobal.com. 1962-06-28. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- ^ http://www.skomer.u-net.com/projects/turbines.htm#Avon
- ^ "World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines - 5th edition" by Bill Gunston, Sutton Publishing, 2006
- ^ G-INFO www.caa.co.uk Retrieved:27 January 2010
- ^ Thunder City - Aircraft www.thundercity.com Retrieved:27 January 2010
- ^ USAF Museum www.nationalmuseum.af.mil Retrieved: 27 January 2010
- ^ Midland Air Museum - Aircraft www.midlandairmuseum.co.uk Retrieved: 27 January 2010
- ^ RAF Museum - Rolls-Royce Avon rafmuseum.org Retrieved: 27 January 2010
- ^ RAF Museum - Rolls-Royce Avon rafmuseum.org Retrieved: 27 January 2010
- ^ "Lightning F.6 Avon 301R Specs". www.lightning.org.uk.
- ^ Avon RB.146 Mk.301
Bibliography
- Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9
- "Rolls-Royce Avon", Flight, 1955
- Kay, Anthony L. (2007). Turbojet History and Development 1930-1960. Vol. 1 (1st ed.). Ramsbury: The Crowood Press. ISBN 978-1-86126-912-6.
External links
- The fascinating story of the Rolls Royce Avon turbojet engine, the first Rolls Royce axial flow turbojet
- National Museum of USAF - Avon MK 203 Turbojet
- "Rolls-Royce Avon" a 1955 Flight article on the Avon
- "Rolls-Royce Avon 200 Series" a 1957 Flight article