Hawker P.1072

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Hawker P.1072

The Hawker P.1072 was a 1949 experimental British aircraft with hybrid turbojet and rocket propulsion.

1 Development
2 Specifications (P.1072)
- 2.1 General characteristics
- 2.2 Performance
3 References
4 Related content

[edit] Development

After World War II Hawker was working on a new fighter P.1040 which would later become Hawker Sea Hawk. To investigate the feasibility of rocket-powered fighter aircraft, the original Sea Hawk prototype, VP401, was converted into the P.1072 with a Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet and an Armstrong Siddeley Snarler rocket motor. Installation of the rocket motor required considerable reinforcement of the fuselage as well as completely revised pneumatic and fuel systems. Jet engine fuel capacity was reduced from 395 to 175 gallons (1,520 to 675 l) and two tanks for rocket fuel were installed. The spherical liquid oxygen tank in the forward fuselage had a capacity of 75 gallons (288 l), and the water-methanol tank in the rear fuselage had a capacity of 120 gallons (460 l). External differences were limited to a slight bulge in the rear fuselage under the rudder.

The Rolls-Royce Nene 103 with 5,180 lbf (23.1 kN) of thrust was used for the ferry flights and for takeoff and initial climb. The Snarler rocket which only developed 2,000 lbf (8.9 kN) of thrust was first used in flight on 20 November, 1950. Half a dozen flights were made using the rocket motor before a minor explosion damaged the aircraft. Soon after, the British government decided that turbojets with reheat (afterburner) would be used instead of rocket power.

[edit] Specifications (P.1072)

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[edit] General characteristics

Crew: One
Length: 11.46 m (37 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 11.13 m (36 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.67 m (8 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 24.6 m² (264.7 ft²)
Empty weight: 5,005 kg (11,010 lb)
Loaded weight: 6,354 kg (13,980 lb)
Powerplant: 1x Rolls-Royce Nene 103 turbojet, 23.1 kN (5,180 lbf) of thrust and 1x Armstrong Siddeley Snarler rocket, 8.9 kN (2,000 lbf) of thrust