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{{short description|1930s British piston aircraft engine}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
|name=Perseus
|name=Perseus
Line 7: Line 10:
|type=[[Piston]] [[aircraft engine]]
|type=[[Piston]] [[aircraft engine]]
|manufacturer=[[Bristol Aeroplane Company]]
|manufacturer=[[Bristol Aeroplane Company]]
|first run= {{avyear|1932}}
|first run= 1932
|major applications=[[Westland Lysander]]<br>[[Blackburn Skua]]
|major applications=[[Westland Lysander]]<br>[[Blackburn Skua]]
|number built =c.8,000
|number built =c.8,000
|program cost =
|program cost =
|unit cost =
|unit cost =
|developed from =
|developed from =
|developed into = [[Bristol Hercules]]
|developed into = [[Bristol Hercules]]
|variants with their own articles =
|variants with their own articles =
Line 21: Line 24:


==Design and development==
==Design and development==
In late 1925 and early 1926, the [[Royal Aircraft Establishment|RAE]] published a series of papers by [[Harry Ricardo]] on the [[sleeve valve]] principle. The main advantages over the traditional [[poppet valve]]s was better [[volumetric efficiency]], and the ability to operate at higher rotational speeds. This allowed a smaller engine to produce the same power as a larger one, leading to better fuel efficiency and compact design, particularly in multi-row radial engines.
In late 1925 and early 1926, the [[Royal Aircraft Establishment]] (RAE) published a series of papers by [[Harry Ricardo]] on the [[sleeve valve]] principle. The main advantages over the traditional [[poppet valve]]s was better [[volumetric efficiency]] and the ability to operate at higher rotational speeds. This allowed a smaller engine to produce the same power as a larger one, leading to better fuel efficiency and compact design, particularly in multi-row radial engines.


[[Roy Fedden]], Bristol's primary engine designer, became interested in the concept and by 1927 he had constructed a working two-cylinder V as a testbed, with the idea of developing it into a V-12. However several problems cropped up on the design, notably that the sleeves tended to burst during the power stroke and strip their driving gears. This led to a long series of tests and materials changes and upgrades that required six years and an estimated 2 million pounds to cure; however, by 1933 the problems had been worked out, and the Perseus went on to become the first sleeve valve aero-engine in the world to be put into large quantity production.<ref>Bridgman (Jane's) 1998, p. 270.</ref>
[[Roy Fedden]], Bristol's primary engine designer, became interested in the concept and by 1927 he had constructed a working two-cylinder V as a test bed, with the idea of developing it into a V-12. Problems cropped up on the design, notably the sleeves bursting during the power stroke and stripping their driving gears. A long series of tests and materials changes and improvements required six years and an estimated £2 million to cure. By 1933, the problems had been worked out and the Perseus went on to become the first sleeve valve aero-engine in the world, to be put into large quantity production.<ref>Bridgman (Jane's) 1998, p. 270.</ref>


The result was a [[Bristol Mercury]]-sized engine adapted to the sleeve valve system, the Perseus, and its smaller cousin, the [[Bristol Aquila]]. The first production versions of the Perseus were rated at 580 [[horsepower]] (433&nbsp;kW), the same as the same-year model Mercury, which shows that the sleeve system was being underutilised. However this was quickly uprated as improvements were introduced, and by 1936 the Perseus was delivering 810&nbsp;hp (604&nbsp;kW), eventually topping out at 930&nbsp;hp (690&nbsp;kW) in 1939, while the Perseus 100 with an increased capacity of 1,635 cu in (26.8 L) produced {{convert|1200|hp|kW|abbr=on}} at 2,700 rpm at 4,250&nbsp;ft (1,296 m).<ref>Bridgman (Jane's) 1998, p. 272.</ref> This far outperformed even the most-developed versions of the Mercury.
The result was a [[Bristol Mercury]]-sized engine adapted to the sleeve valve system, the Perseus, and its smaller cousin, the [[Bristol Aquila]]. The first production versions of the Perseus were rated at 580 [[horsepower]] (433&nbsp;kW), the same as the Mercury model for that year, which shows that the sleeve system was being underexploited. The engine was quickly uprated as improvements were introduced and by 1936 the Perseus was delivering 810&nbsp;hp (604&nbsp;kW), eventually topping out at 930&nbsp;hp (690&nbsp;kW) in 1939, while the Perseus 100 with an increased capacity of 1,635 cu in (26.8 L), produced {{convert|1200|hp|kW|abbr=on}} at 2,700 rpm at 4,250&nbsp;ft (1,296 m).<ref>Bridgman (Jane's) 1998, p. 272.</ref> This far outperformed even the most developed versions of the Mercury.


The Perseus saw limited use in the civilian field, notably on the [[Short Empire]] flying-boats, but was more common in the then-expanding military field where it was found on the [[Westland Lysander]], [[Vickers Vildebeest]], [[Blackburn Botha]], [[Blackburn Skua|Skua]] and [[Blackburn Roc|Roc]] [[bomber]]s.
The Perseus saw limited use in the civilian field, notably on the [[Short Empire]] flying-boats but was more common in the expanding military field, where it was found on the [[Westland Lysander]] reconnaissance aircraft and the [[Vickers Vildebeest]], [[Blackburn Botha]], [[Blackburn Skua|Skua]] and [[Blackburn Roc|Roc]] [[bomber]]s.


The main contribution of the Perseus is that its mechanicals were used as the basic piston and cylinder for the "twinned" versions, the tremendously successful [[Bristol Hercules|Hercules]] and [[Bristol Centaurus|Centaurus]]. It was in these designs that the advantages of the sleeve valve were finally put to good use, and by war's end the Centaurus was one of the most powerful engines in the world.
The main contribution of the Perseus is that its design was used as the basic piston and cylinder for two "twinned" (double-row) types: the tremendously successful [[Bristol Hercules]] and [[Bristol Centaurus]] engines. It was in these designs that the advantages of the sleeve valve were finally put to good use and by war's end, the Centaurus was one of the most powerful engines in the world.


==Applications==
==Applications==
[[File:De havilland DH95 Flamingo.jpg|thumb|right|Bristol Perseus powered [[de Havilland Flamingo]]]]
[[File:De havilland DH95 Flamingo.jpg|thumb|right|Bristol Perseus powered [[de Havilland Flamingo]]]]
''Note:''<ref>List from Lumsden, the Perseus may not be the main powerplant for some of these types</ref>
''Note:''<ref>List from Lumsden, the Perseus may not be the main powerplant for some of these types</ref>
* [[Blackburn Botha]]

*[[Blackburn Botha]]
* [[Blackburn Roc]]
*[[Blackburn Roc]]
* [[Blackburn Skua]]
*[[Blackburn Skua]]
* [[Bristol Bulldog]]
*[[Bristol Bulldog]]
* [[Bristol Type 148]]
⚫
* [[Burnelli UB-14|Cunliffe-Owen Flying Wing]]
*[[Bristol Type 148]]
⚫
* [[de Havilland Flamingo]]
⚫
*[[Burnelli UB-14|Cunliffe-Owen Flying Wing]]
*[[de Havilland Flamingo]]
* [[de Havilland Flamingo|de Havilland Hertfordshire]]
* [[Gloster Goring]]
⚫
*[[de Havilland Flamingo|de Havilland Hertfordshire]]
*[[Gloster Goring]]
* [[Hawker Hart]]
*[[Hawker Hart]]
* [[Saro A.33]]
*[[Saro A.33]]
* [[Short Empire]]
*[[Short Empire]]
* [[Short Scylla]]
* [[Vickers Vellore|Vickers Vellox]]
*[[Short Scylla]]
*[[Vickers Vellore|Vickers Vellox]]
* [[Vickers Vildebeest|Vickers Vildebeest Mk.IV]]
*[[Vickers Vildebeest|Vickers Vildebeest Mk.IV]]
* [[Westland Lysander|Westland Lysander Mk.II]]
*[[Westland Lysander|Westland Lysander Mk.II]]


==Specifications (Perseus XII)==
==Specifications (Perseus XII)==
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|bore=5.75 in (146 mm)
|bore=5.75 in (146 mm)
|stroke=6.5 in (165 mm)
|stroke=6.5 in (165 mm)
|displacement=1,520 in³ (24.9 L)
|displacement=1,520 in<sup>3</sup> (24.9 L)
|length=49 in (1,245 mm)
|length=49 in (1,245 mm)
|diameter=55.3 in (1,405 mm)
|diameter=55.3 in (1,405 mm)
Line 73: Line 75:
|oilsystem=
|oilsystem=
|coolingsystem=Air-cooled
|coolingsystem=Air-cooled
|power=<br>
|power=
* 830 hp (619 kW) at 2,650 rpm for takeoff
* 830 hp (619 kW) at 2,650 rpm for takeoff
* 905 hp (675 kW) at 2,750 rpm at 6,500 ft (1,980 m)
* 905 hp (675 kW) at 2,750 rpm at 6,500 ft (1,980 m)
|specpower=0.59 hp/in³ (26.75 kW/l)
|specpower=0.59 hp/in³ (26.75 kW/L)
|compression=6.75:1
|compression=6.75:1
|fuelcon=
|fuelcon=
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<!-- designs which were developed into or from this aircraft: -->
<!-- designs which were developed into or from this aircraft: -->
|related=
|related=
*[[Bristol Centaurus]]
* [[Bristol Hercules]]
*[[Bristol Hercules]]
* [[Bristol Centaurus]]
<!-- aircraft that are of similar role, era, and capability this design: -->
<!-- aircraft that are of similar role, era, and capability this design: -->
|similar aircraft=
|similar aircraft=
Line 99: Line 101:
<!-- relevant lists that this aircraft appears in: -->
<!-- relevant lists that this aircraft appears in: -->
|lists=
|lists=
*[[List of aircraft engines]]
* [[List of aircraft engines]]


<!-- For aircraft engine articles. Engines that are of similar to this design: -->
<!-- For aircraft engine articles. Engines that are of similar to this design: -->
|similar engines=
|similar engines=


Line 108: Line 110:


==References==
==References==
{{commons category}}
{{Commons category|Bristol Perseus}}


===Notes===
===Notes===
Line 115: Line 117:
===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* Bridgman, L, (ed.) (1998) ''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II.'' Crescent . ISBN 0-517-67964-7
* Bridgman, L, (ed.) (1998) ''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II.'' Crescent . {{ISBN|0-517-67964-7}}
* Gunston, Bill. ''World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines''. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9
* Gunston, Bill. ''World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines''. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. {{ISBN|1-85260-163-9}}
* Gunston, Bill. ''Development of Piston Aero Engines''. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 2006. ISBN 0-7509-4478-1
* Gunston, Bill. ''Development of Piston Aero Engines''. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 2006. {{ISBN|0-7509-4478-1}}
* Lumsden, Alec. ''British Piston Engines and their Aircraft''. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.
* Lumsden, Alec. ''British Piston Engines and their Aircraft''. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. {{ISBN|1-85310-294-6}}.
{{refend}}
{{refend}}
<!--==External links== -->
<!--==External links== -->
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[[Category:Bristol aircraft engines|Perseus]]
[[Category:Bristol aircraft engines|Perseus]]
[[Category:Sleeve valve engines]]
[[Category:Sleeve valve engines]]
[[Category:Aircraft piston engines 1930–1939]]
[[Category:1930s aircraft piston engines]]

Latest revision as of 21:02, 16 April 2024

Perseus
Preserved Bristol Perseus
Type Piston aircraft engine
Manufacturer Bristol Aeroplane Company
First run 1932
Major applications Westland Lysander
Blackburn Skua
Number built c.8,000
Developed into Bristol Hercules

The Bristol Perseus was a British nine-cylinder, single-row, air-cooled radial aircraft engine produced by the Bristol Engine Company starting in 1932. It was the first production sleeve valve aero engine.[1]

Design and development[edit]

In late 1925 and early 1926, the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) published a series of papers by Harry Ricardo on the sleeve valve principle. The main advantages over the traditional poppet valves was better volumetric efficiency and the ability to operate at higher rotational speeds. This allowed a smaller engine to produce the same power as a larger one, leading to better fuel efficiency and compact design, particularly in multi-row radial engines.

Roy Fedden, Bristol's primary engine designer, became interested in the concept and by 1927 he had constructed a working two-cylinder V as a test bed, with the idea of developing it into a V-12. Problems cropped up on the design, notably the sleeves bursting during the power stroke and stripping their driving gears. A long series of tests and materials changes and improvements required six years and an estimated £2 million to cure. By 1933, the problems had been worked out and the Perseus went on to become the first sleeve valve aero-engine in the world, to be put into large quantity production.[2]

The result was a Bristol Mercury-sized engine adapted to the sleeve valve system, the Perseus, and its smaller cousin, the Bristol Aquila. The first production versions of the Perseus were rated at 580 horsepower (433 kW), the same as the Mercury model for that year, which shows that the sleeve system was being underexploited. The engine was quickly uprated as improvements were introduced and by 1936 the Perseus was delivering 810 hp (604 kW), eventually topping out at 930 hp (690 kW) in 1939, while the Perseus 100 with an increased capacity of 1,635 cu in (26.8 L), produced 1,200 hp (890 kW) at 2,700 rpm at 4,250 ft (1,296 m).[3] This far outperformed even the most developed versions of the Mercury.

The Perseus saw limited use in the civilian field, notably on the Short Empire flying-boats but was more common in the expanding military field, where it was found on the Westland Lysander reconnaissance aircraft and the Vickers Vildebeest, Blackburn Botha, Skua and Roc bombers.

The main contribution of the Perseus is that its design was used as the basic piston and cylinder for two "twinned" (double-row) types: the tremendously successful Bristol Hercules and Bristol Centaurus engines. It was in these designs that the advantages of the sleeve valve were finally put to good use and by war's end, the Centaurus was one of the most powerful engines in the world.

Applications[edit]

Bristol Perseus powered de Havilland Flamingo

Note:[4]

Specifications (Perseus XII)[edit]

Cutaway Bristol Perseus showing sleeve valves and reduction gears

Data from Lumsden.[5]

General characteristics

  • Type: Nine-cylinder single-row supercharged air-cooled radial engine
  • Bore: 5.75 in (146 mm)
  • Stroke: 6.5 in (165 mm)
  • Displacement: 1,520 in3 (24.9 L)
  • Length: 49 in (1,245 mm)
  • Diameter: 55.3 in (1,405 mm)
  • Dry weight: 1,025 lb (465 kg)

Components

Performance

See also[edit]

Related development

Related lists

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bristol Perseus.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Lumsden 2003, p.116.
  2. ^ Bridgman (Jane's) 1998, p. 270.
  3. ^ Bridgman (Jane's) 1998, p. 272.
  4. ^ List from Lumsden, the Perseus may not be the main powerplant for some of these types
  5. ^ Lumsden 2003, p.117.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Bridgman, L, (ed.) (1998) Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. Crescent . ISBN 0-517-67964-7
  • Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9
  • Gunston, Bill. Development of Piston Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 2006. ISBN 0-7509-4478-1
  • Lumsden, Alec. British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.
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