| Goshawk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | PistonV-12aero engine |
| Manufacturer | Rolls-Royce Limited |
| First run | 1933 |
| Major applications | see#Applications |
| Number built | 20 |
| Developed from | Rolls-Royce Kestrel |
TheRolls-Royce Goshawk was a development of theRolls-Royce Kestrel that usedevaporative or steam cooling. In line with Rolls-Royce convention of naming piston engines afterbirds of prey, it was named after thegoshawk.
The engine first ran in 1933 and provided 660horsepower (490 kW). Only a few engines were built as the aircraft designs intended to use it were not adopted by theRoyal Air Force. The Goshawk was used to power theShort Knuckleduster, theSupermarine Type 224 (a predecessor to theSupermarine Spitfire) and other prototype aircraft.
The Goshawk was developed from theKestrel IV prototype engine, to useevaporative (also known as "steam") cooling. Rather than keep the cooling liquid below its boiling point in the cooling system, the coolant was allowed to boil; the phase change from liquid to vapour takes more heat from the engine, so less weight of coolant is needed. However, the radiator had to be bulkier to accommodate coolant in its gas phase, which increased drag.
Twenty engines were built, and flew only in prototypes as a few manufacturers' private ventures and "one-offs". Powers for individual installations are quoted between 650 and 700 hp (520 kW). Problems with coolant leaks, coolant pumping and the realisation that large wing-mounted condensing radiators would be vulnerable to combat damage caused the project to be cancelled, although valuable lessons had been learned and were put to good use with development of the laterMerlin.[1]
The Goshawk was the power unit specified for the twin engined Short Knuckleduster flying boat (K3574) to Specification R24/31 and "preferred" for submissions to Air Ministry specification F7/30 for a fighter aircraft. Goshawks were used by all three officially sponsored prototypes, theSupermarine Type 224 (K2890),theWestland F.7/30 (K2891) and theBlackburn F3 (K2892), which only taxied with the Goshawk fitted and did not fly, in addition to two private venture entrants, theBristol Type 123 and theHawker P.V.3.
The Goshawk also powered Hawker's privately developed "High Speed Fury Mk 2" (K3586) and "Intermediate Fury" 2" (the latter Hawker's own development aircraft and "hack" serialG-ABSE)[2] and theWestland Pterodactyl V (K2770) and was installed for trials in theGloster TSR.38 (S1705), and the firstGloster Gnatsnapper prototype (N227).
Data fromLumsden[3]
Related development
Comparable engines
Related lists