| RB.39 Clyde | |
|---|---|
 Rolls-Royce Clyde on display at theRolls-Royce Heritage Trust, Derby | |
| Type | Turboprop |
| Manufacturer | Rolls-Royce Limited |
| First run | 5 August 1945[1] |
| Number built | 9[2] |
TheRolls-Royce RB.39 Clyde wasRolls-Royce's first purpose-designedturboprop engine and the first turboprop engine to pass its civil and militarytype-tests.[2][3]
As with subsequent Rolls-Royce gas turbines, it was named after a river, theRiver Clyde.
The Clyde used a two-shaft design, with an axial compressor based on that of theMetrovick F.2[4][5] for the low-pressure section, and a single-sided centrifugal compressor scaled up from theMerlin 46 supercharger[6] 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.[7]
The Clyde was a long engine with the axial LP compressor in front of what was, in effect, a scaled-downDerwent 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.[5][1]During testing potentially destructive vibrations were found originating in the straight-cut spur gears in the reduction gearbox.[1]
The engine was selected as the main engine of theWestland Wyvern TF Mk.2 strike aircraft.[2] However, despite the promising performance of the test enginesErnest Hives felt that pure-jets such as theAvon were the future and the Clyde programme was terminated, forcingWestland to use the less than satisfactoryArmstrong Siddeley Python on the production Wyverns.[2] and so Rolls-Royce's first production turboprop would be theDart.
A part sectioned example is on display at theRolls-Royce Heritage Trust, (Derby).
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Data fromTurbojet History and Development 1930-1960 vol.1.[1]
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