WIX Archives
Thanks for the information, Gents! N/T
Posted by Ray Crawford on Mon Jul 01, 2002 07:57:09 AM
In reply top Re: Shackleton/ Griffon Spitfire Question? posted by Christer on Sun Jun 30, 2002 12:08:49 AM
: Hi Ray!
:
: The Griffons fitted to Spitfires, with the exception of th
: e Mk.XII, had two stage, two speed superchargers. They dev
: eloped something like 2.050 hp on +18lb boost (RR-G 61/65/
: 66) and 2.350 hp on +25lb boost (RR-G 64/67).
: +18 was available running on 100/130 grade fuel whereas +2
: 5 required 115/145 grade.
:
: The Griffons fitted to Shackletons (RR-G 57/58) had a sing
: le stage, two speed supercharger. They developed approxima
: tely 2.400 hp on +25lb boost running on 100/130 and water/
: methanol injection.
:
: The single stage engines are shorter than the two stage va
: riants. This means that the neck of the inlet air ducting
: has to be modified to fit a single stage engine to a Spitf
: ire. Then, as You pointed out, there?s the reduction geari
: ng which has to be modified from contra rotating to a sing
: le left hand tractor.
:
: All BBMF Mk.XIX's have had this modification, PS915 was us
: ed as a test bed long before it was rebuilt to fly.
: If I recall correctly PS853, now owned by Rolls-Royce, was
: the first to be modified, PM631 the second and PS915 the
: third during its rebuild.
:
: The Planes Of Fame PS890 has a RR-G 58 fitted, still drivi
: ng contra props, which makes it more cost effective and qu
: ite a unique Mk.XIX.
: I assume that You know that not only Seafires but also a f
: ew Spitfires had contra rotating propellers "in the old da
: ys". These were two stage, two speed variants of the RR-G
: 80-series.
: The Merlin 66 of the Mk.IX was also modified with contra r
: otating propellers but I don?t recall the proper designati
: on.
:
: The price tag on a RR-G 58 complete with propellers, well,
: I know that it?s only a fraction of the cost to acquire a
: nd rebuild the original RR-G 66 and its five-blader. Somet
: hing like 1/5 but, I can?t give a precise value.
:
: Hope this helps a wee bit!
:
: Christer
: (masquerading as a british aircraft expert)