Armstrong Siddeley Python

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The Armstrong-Siddeley Python was an early British turboprop engine designed and built by the Armstrong Siddeley company. Its main use was in the Westland Wyvern carrier-based heavy fighter, the turboprop engine replacing the Wyvern prototype's original Rolls-Royce Eagle 22 piston engine. In this application, the Python was rated at 4,110 EHP.

The design started as an experimental pure-turbojet known as the ASX, which started running in 1943. By this point other engine designs were already entering pre-production, and it seemed there was little need for the ASX in its existing form. The design was then modified into the turboprop layout with the addition of a second turbine stage, which was geared to the propeller.

Early flight-testing of the Python was carried out using the Lancaster B.1 (FE) TW911 and the Lincoln B.2 RE339/G, each aircraft having the two outboard Rolls-Royce Merlins replaced by Pythons. Lincoln B.2 RF403 also had two Pythons similarly installed and was used for high-altitude bombing trials at Woomera, South Australia, the Pythons being used to increase the height from which tests could be carried out.

[edit] Specifications (ASP.3)

General characteristics

• Type: Turboprop
• Length:
• Diameter:
• Dry weight:

Components

• Compressor:

Performance

• Power output: 4,110 ehp (3,065 kW)
• Power-to-weight ratio:

[edit] See also