From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Conference report on an engine 'cutting out' issue with the Boulton-Paul Defiant aircraft.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\3\ Scan203 | |
| Date | 21th February 1939 | |
| COPY. To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} & Lr{Mr Ellor}/Fmr. c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Lr.{Mr Ellor} Sp.{Mr Spinney} Sft.{Mr Swift} Lr{Mr Ellor}/Lov.{Mr Lovesey} TB. TB/RDO. Mr. Bradshaw. Mr. Willies A.I.D. CONFERENCE ON COOLING OF FUEL PUMP ON THE BOULTON-PAUL DEFIANT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO "CUTTING OUT" ON A DEFIANT AT NORTHOLT WHEN TAKING OFF. The conference was held at Hucknall at the instigation of G/C. Dawson, and those present were:- Group Capt. Dawson. Chairman. Wing Cmdr. Farrow Overseer. Boulton Paul Ltd. Mr. Fitch R.T.O. -do- Mr.H.V.Clarke. Designer -do- Mr.E.Feather Chief Test Pilot -do- Mr.T.Henry Rolls-Royce Ltd. Mr.G.H.Farmer. -do- Mr.T.A.Gibson. -do- Group Capt. Dawson opened by stating that the engine in a Defiant at Northolt cut out after taking off and when only 150 Ft. from the ground. Prior to this the aircraft had been flown satisfactorily and had landed, taxied up to the tarmac, and the engine stopped for a short time and then restarted, taxied out and took off, and it was then that the out cut occurred. Group Capt. Dawson said that in his opinion this cut out was due to a vapour locked petrol pump due to high engine bay temperatures, Group Capt. Dawson then went on to say that instructions had been issued to O/C. Northolt that the Defiants would be grounded until a cooling duct was fitted to cool the fuel pump. He also requested that Mr. Feather of Boulton Paul Ltd. should collect the Defiant and deliver it to Hucknall for further development with regard to suitable cowling ventilation which will eventually be standardised on production Defiants. This arrangement was agreed to by Wg.{Mr Gill - Financial Director} Cmdr.Farrow and the Boulton Paul representatives who will arrange to fit a temporary duct to ensure a safe flight to Hucknall. Group Capt. Dawson then confirmed the arrangement with the O/C. Northolt, by telephone. The matter was then discussed at great lengths:- Mr. Feather (B-P's Pilot) said that the report he had from Northolt on the cutting out was that on inspecting the | ||