Rolls-Royce Exe
The Rolls-Royce Exe, or Boreas,[1] was a 24-cylinder air-cooled X block sleeve valve aircraft engine intended primarily for the new Fairey Fleet Air Arm aircraft, particularly the Fairey Barracuda. The Exe was under development in 1939, having been started in the 1930s, along with the Peregrine and Vulture. The Exe was named after the River Exe, although Rolls-Royce later transferred the using of river names to its gas turbine engines.
Work on the Exe was suspended in August 1939,[2] and stopped about August 1940.[3] In August 1940 Hives wanted to stop work on the Peregrine, Exe and Vulture to concentrate on the Merlin and Griffon engines.
Applications
Originally intended for the Fairey Barracuda the Exe was only test flown in a Fairey Battle, the first flight taking place on 30 November 1938. This aircraft continued in use for some time as a communications aircraft where the Exe was noted to be quite reliable in service.[4]
Specifications (Exe)
Data from Gunston and Lumsden.[5][6]
General characteristics
- Type: 24-cylinder supercharged air-cooled 90-degree X layout aircraft piston engine
- Bore: 4.225 in (107.3 mm)
- Stroke: 4.0 in (101.6 mm)
- Displacement: 1,348 cu in (22.1 L)
- Dry weight: 1,530 lb (694 kg)
Components
- Valvetrain: Sleeve valve
- Supercharger: Gear-driven centrifugal type supercharger, single stage
- Fuel type: Petrol
- Cooling system: Pressure air-cooled
- Reduction gear: 0.358:1, left hand tractor
Performance
- Power output: 1,150 hp (856 kW) at 4,200 rpm, +4.5 psi boost at sea level
- Compression ratio: 8:1
- Power-to-weight ratio: 0.75 hp/lb (1.23 kW/kg)
See also
- Related development
- Comparable engines
- Related lists
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9
- Lloyd, Ian Rolls-Royce: The Merlin at War (1978, Macmillan London) ISBN 0-333-24016-2
- Lumsden, Alec. British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.
- Pugh, Peter.The Magic of a Name: The Rolls-Royce Story, The first 40 Years (2000, Icon Books Cambridge) ISBN 1-84046-151-9
- Rubbra, A.A. Rolls-Royce Piston Aero Engines - a designer remembers: Historical Series no 16 :Rolls Royce Heritage Trust, 1990. ISBN 1-872922-00-7
External links
- Photo of the Rolls-Royce Exe
- The Exe-engined Fairey Battle (top picture) in a 1948 issue of Flight
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