This is the heart of an Auxiliary Power Unit once fitted in a Vulcan Bomber. Its main purpose was to provide the aircraft's electrical needs whilst on the ground and prior to starting the main engines but it could also be used in flight, in an emergency, as the back-up electrical source. The Vulcan was perhaps the forerunner for the current "Fly by Wire" system as it's duplicated set of control surfaces were all electrically operated. This is my little bit of history which is currently undergoing some TLC and although its airborne days are over, it will run again - much to the delight of my neighbors within a 3 mile radius. The 30 KVA alternator is powered by a 60 horsepower, single shaft, gas turbine engine which has much historical ancestry and was built by the Rover Car Company, with this particular unit constructed around 1967. This is the same basic engine that was used in Rover’s “JET 1” gas turbine powered car which was road tested at the Silverstone race track in Northampton back in 1950. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/8/newsid_2516000/2516271.stm The rest of the mighty Vulcan may now have long gone for scrap but this little apu, at least, will remain functional and live on for another generation, perhaps more. Tweakie. :flying: Attached files
What a cool project Tweakie Wish you luck on the rebuild and look forward to hearing her crank up when you are finished with it. Mark and Trish
I had to do a few shady deals. Now they are scrapping the Harrier fleet there is a nice little Lucas Jet engine (used as the main engine starter) in there - if only I knew the right people Tweakie. Attached files