British projects

[Kutscha]

Weird British a/c, http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Village/4082/brit/odd_air.htm

[GregP]

These were, indeed, wierd.

At least the Westland-Hill series flew well, and so did the Miles oddities. Funny thing about the wierdos ... they usually fly just fine!

[Groggy]

quote:Originally posted by GregP

These were, indeed, wierd.

At least the Westland-Hill series flew well, and so did the Miles oddities. Funny thing about the wierdos ... they usually fly just fine!



Armstrong Whitworth A.W.54 and A.W 54A,

This is an interesting project the first hint of it is in 1943 in a document at the public records office discussing what was to become the Miles M52 and a very advanced flying wing bomber project with four turbofans. The Armstrong Whitworth A.W 54A was a reconnaissance bomber with tri-cycle undercarriage for use on carriers by the Fleet Air Arm. It is the first serious project that I am a ware of to use a working turbofan. The Metro Vick Turbofan was tested with complete success in August 1943 giving some 4200lbs plus of thrust with half the fuel consumption of the best German jet engine of the time.
Metrovik also tested again with complete success a UDF before the end of the war. Remarkable this engine was even more efficient and weighed less than their turbofan. At the same time Whittle built and tested at least two different types of turbo fans, one with afterburner, that is not including his turbo-fan jet with an axial compressor that was destined for the Japan bomber the construction of which was almost complete when he was told to stop. The gas generator part was completed and tested with an airscrew component after Whittle was given the push.
There is in the public records office the drawing for an eight jet flying wing bomber the same sort of size as the B29, with cannon pods in the trailing