Length 287.8 cm (113.3 in.), Diameter 105.4 cm (41.5 in.)
Type:
PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet)
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
Date:
1955
Physical Description:
Type: Turbojet
Thrust: 44,480 N (10,000 lb) at 8,000 rpm
Compressor: 15-stage compound, 6-stage low pressure and 9-stage high pressure axial
Combustor: Cannular
Turbine: 2-stage axial
Weight: 1,709 kg (3,768 lb) (Approximate)
Summary:
In 1945, Rolls-Royce started the development of the AJ.65 (axial jet, 28,912 N (6,500 lb) thrust) Avon to replace the Nene, going through several design and test iterations. The first 100-series (RA.3) production engines were delivered in June 1950. For the Comet and Caravelle, the civil RA.29 was produced at 45,592 N (10,250 lb) thrust. The RB.146 300-series was later produced at 76,105 N (17,110 lb) thrust with afterburning.
The Avon powered a variety of military and commercial aircraft: English Electric Canberra, Hawker Hunter, and Vickers-Armstrong Valiant, de Havilland Comet and S.N.C.A.S.E. Caravelle.
This engine, a 44,480 N (10,000 lb) thrust RA.28-49, was manufactured in June 1955 specifically for the Ryan Aeronautical Company in San Diego, California. It powered the Ryan X-13 VTOL Vertijet between 1955 and 1957. In November 1956, the Vertijet, now in the museum's collection, was the first jet-powered VTOL aircraft to demonstrate transition from horizontal to vertical flight and return to horizontal flight.
Credit Line:
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force via the contractor, Ryan Aeronautical Company
