Rolls-Royce Clyde

Design and development

The Clyde used a two-shaft design, with an axial compressor based on that of the Metrovick F.2{{Cite book as the high-pressure stage, both mounted on the HP shaft and driven by a single stage HP turbine. A single stage power turbine drove the front mounted propeller reduction gearbox via the concentric LP shaft. A fairly novel feature of this compact gearbox was the power output to contra-rotating propellers.

The Clyde was a long engine with the axial LP compressor in front of what was, in effect, a scaled-down Derwent engine. Accessories were grouped around the axial compressor which conveniently narrowed towards the rear. Cooling for turbines and turbine bearings came from a small impeller on the main shaft as well as air taken from the axial and centrifugal compressors. Testing of the development engines exceeded expectations with the engine soon being rated at 4,030 eshp. During testing potentially destructive vibrations were found originating in the straight-cut spur gears in the reduction gearbox.

The engine was selected as the main engine of the Westland Wyvern TF Mk.2 strike aircraft. However, despite the promising performance of the test engines Ernest Hives felt that pure-jets such as the Avon were the future and the Clyde programme was terminated, forcing Westland to use the less than satisfactory Armstrong Siddeley Python on the production Wyverns. and so Rolls-Royce's first production turboprop would be the Dart.

Engines on display

A part sectioned example is on display at the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, (Derby).

Specifications (Clyde)

and start a new, fully-formatted line with -- |power/weight=1.439 eshp/lb (2.09 kW/kg) |thrust/weight=

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989.
• King, H. F. "The Two R's: A Commemorative History of Rolls-Royce Aero Engines. (article and images)." Flight No. 2363, Volume 65, 7 May 1954.

References

1. Kay, Anthony L.. (2007). "Turbojet History and Development 1930-1960 vol.1". The Crowood Press.
2. Gunston, Bill. (2006). "World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines". Sutton Publishing.
3. Flight 1954, p. 582.
4. "World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines – 5th edition" by [[Bill Gunston]], Sutton Publishing, 2006, P.195
5. (2005). "Lionel Haworth. 4 August 1912 — 12 April 2000". Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society.
6. "Not much of an Engineer" by [[Sir Stanley Hooker]], Airlife Publishing Ltd, 1984, P.227