Armstrong Siddeley Python

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British turboprop engine

title: "Armstrong Siddeley Python" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1940s-turboprop-engines", "armstrong-siddeley-aircraft-engines", "axial-compressor-gas-turbine-engines"] description: "British turboprop engine" topic_path: "general/1940s-turboprop-engines" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Siddeley_Python" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary British turboprop engine ::

::data[format=table title="infobox aero engine"]

Field	Value
name	Python
image	File:ASPython.jpg
caption	An Armstrong Siddeley Python during NACA wind tunnel testing in 1949
engine_type	Turboprop
national_origin	United Kingdom
manufacturer	Armstrong Siddeley
first_run	April 1945
major_applications	Westland Wyvern
developed_from	Armstrong Siddeley ASX
::

The Armstrong Siddeley Python is an early British turboprop engine that was designed and built by the Armstrong Siddeley company in the mid-1940s. Its main use was in the Westland Wyvern, a carrier-based heavy fighter. The prototypes had used the Rolls-Royce Eagle piston engine, but Pythons were used in production aircraft. In this application, the Python was rated at 4,110 equivalent shaft horsepower (eshp).

Design and development

The design started as an experimental pure-turbojet known as the ASX, which commenced testing in 1943. By this point other engine designs were already entering pre-production, and it seemed there was little need for the ASX in its existing form. The design was then modified by the addition of a reduction gearbox to drive a propeller. The turboprop thus formed was named ASP.

Flight testing

Early flight-testing of the Python was carried out using the Lancaster B.1 (FE) TW911 and the Lincoln B.2 RE339/G: in each aircraft Pythons replaced the two outboard Rolls-Royce Merlins.

Lincoln B.2 RF403 had two Pythons similarly installed and was used for high-altitude bombing trials at Woomera, South Australia. These trials were principally of the ballistic casings for the Blue Danube atomic weapon: the Lincoln was the only available aircraft that could accommodate the large weapon casing, measuring 62 inches diameter x 24 ft in length. The Pythons were fitted to increase the height from which tests could be carried out. Maximum release height and speed for the first eleven tests was 275 mph and 34,783 ft with a bombing error of 61 ft.

Engines on display

An Armstrong Siddeley Python is on display at the East Midlands Aeropark Castle Donington.

Variants

;ASP.1 (Python 1):reduction gear ratio 0.127:1 ;ASP.2 (Python 2):reduction gear ratio 0.135:1 ;ASP.3 (Python 3):

Applications

Avro Lancaster - (test only)
Avro Lincoln - (test only)
Westland Wyvern

Specifications (ASP.3)

| and start a new, fully-formatted line with -- |ref=Flight. |type=Turboprop |length=123.2 in (313 cm) |diameter=54 in (137 cm) |weight=3,450 lb (1,565 kg) |compressor=Axial flow; 14 stages |combustion=11 combustion chambers |turbine=Axial flow; two stages |fueltype= |oilsystem= |power=4,110 eshp (3,065 kW) at sea level at 8,000 rpm, including 1,180 lbf (535 kp) exhaust thrust |thrust= |compression=5.35:1 |aircon=52.5 lb/s (23.8 kg/s) |turbinetemp= |fuelcon= |specfuelcon=0.805 lb/(h eshp) |power/weight=1.2:1 |thrust/weight=}}

References

Notes

Bibliography

References

Gunston 1998, p.19.
The National Archives, London, file ES 1/44 E4C Appendix 3 page 1.
[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%200979.html Flight Global Archive - 1954] www.flightglobal.com. Retrieved: 3 November 2008

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