Bristol Orion

For the 1920s engine of the same name, see Bristol Jupiter
Orion
Type Turboprop
Manufacturer Bristol Siddeley
First run 1956
Major applications Bristol Britannia



The Bristol Orion aero engine was a two-shaft turboprop intended for use in later marks of the Bristol Britannia and Canadair CL-44. Although the engine was built and underwent a development program, the BE.25 Orion project was cancelled in 1958 by the British Ministry of Supply. At that time, interest in turboprop powered aircraft was beginning to wane, because of the successful introduction of the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 jetliners into airline service.[1]

Design and development

A single stage HP turbine drove a five stage all-axial HP compressor, whilst a three stage LP turbine drove both the seven stage LP compressor and the propeller, via a reduction gearbox. Thus the Orion used a shared load LP turbine (like the Rolls-Royce Tyne), whereas its predecessor, the Bristol Proteus, had a free-power turbine. The combustor used separate flame cans.

One novel feature of the Orion was a derate from a thermodynamic rating of 9,000 shp at sea level, to enable a constant 5,150 ehp power level to be maintained all the way up to 15,000 ft altitude.

The Orion project was cancelled in January 1958, at a reported total cost of £4.75 million.[2]

Applications

Specifications (Orion)

Data from: Flightglobal archive[3]

General characteristics

Components

Performance

See also

Related development
Comparable engines
Related lists

References

Notes

  1. Gunston 1989, p.35.
  2. "Cancelled projects: the list up-dated" (PDF). Flight: 262. 17 August 1967.
  3. Flightglobal archive, 1956. Retrieved: 31 December 2008

Bibliography

  • Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9

External links

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