Sapphire engine

[klingon]

Just noticed a copy of minutes of a meeting DC attended way back for sale on Ebay-mentioned the fitting of an Armstrong Siddley Saffire jet engine into K7 instead of the Metrovick Beryl actually in her-anyone know anything about this?-would have been kinda interesting if that one had panned out-the Saffire engine put out something like 7,500 lbs thrust instead of the hard sneeze the Beryl pushed out-either Donald would have been killed a lot earlier or would have gained the record,retired and taken up golf instead-and we would have nothing to spend every minute of our spare time on!-food for thought.

[KW Mitchell]

There is no evidence in the historical archive that I am aware of, of such a suggestion, but safe to say that if it had been discussed it would have been quickly dismissed on two counts:-

First, the weight of the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire was nearly 1000lb heavier than the Beryl (and some 1700lb heavier than the Orpheus) which would have compromised buoyancy. Second, the intake ducts could never have handled twice the ingested air rate (mass flow) demanded by this engine.

[DMCK7 Fan]

There is no evidence in the historical archive that I am aware of, of such a suggestion, but safe to say that if it had been discussed it would have been quickly dismissed on two counts:-

First, the weight of the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire was nearly 1000lb heavier than the Beryl (and some 1700lb heavier than the Orpheus) which would have compromised buoyancy. Second, the intake ducts could never have handled twice the ingested air rate (mass flow) demanded by this engine.

a.jpg

b.jpg

c.jpg

[DMCK7 Fan]

d.jpg

e.jpg

All of the above might be of interest to you Keith ?

[KW Mitchell]

Indeed they are! Might it be possible to increase the resolution of the first page so I can read it or could you Email me a copy? If they're in the public domain then I'm happy to admit I've missed them - and would welcome a reference please?

Intriguingly, I began to remember that somewhere I'd seen something about the Sapphire mod. and found it in Steve Holter's book Leap into Legend where there's an early concept drawing ascribed to Ken Norris of the 'C Boat' with Nene/Sapphire conversions (P.87). Enlarged intakes are therein shown, consistent with my remarks on the increased mass flow in my posting ----------. So, too, the issue of buoyancy in the documents you have posted -- which is gratifying.

Many thanks,
Keith

[klingon]

Thanks for putting the image on-my computer(or my brain more like)couldn't do it-don't think the image actually is in the public domain as it is for sale privately on ebay in USA for much wampum-bids are around £250 or so just now as far as I can make out-too tasty for me!-however reading closer and checking the date out this is actually a pre-k7 construction discussion and offers an alternate power plant to the Beryl which was not the best engine to use on K7 anyway due to it's rarity,as far as I know it was designed solely for use on a jet powered flying boat and was a low production unit-the discussion actually states that k7's design plans would have to be radically altered to accomodate this other engine-which was admittedly to heavy and too long as well for serious use in a hydroplane of K7's type.
I actually downloaded the images and used an editing program to clean them up and enlarge them-much better!

[Mike Bull]

Well, this topic has come along a bit! I was going to follow Keith's 'there is no evidence...' by saying that I too had definitely heard of the Sapphire engine in relation to the proposed K7 before, and here now we have it in writing!

Iffy research, Dr Mitchell!

[KW Mitchell]

--------
Iffy research, Dr Mitchell!

Yep! I put my hands up, Mike - but I did say that I began to remember something. The old memory cells sometimes need a little 'warming-up' these days ------------!

Regards,
Frank
-- no, that's not right ---------??**
I've got it!
Keith.

[DMCK7 Fan]

I'll try and enhance that first document when I get home Keith, er John, er
jAck. WHATEVER !

[DMCK7 Fan]

The forum will not let me upload the file as it's now too big.
It's not perfect but here's a link to the best I can do: http://www.speedbear.co.uk/a.jpg