Blumlein's Plane Crash

[ppppenguin]

Again I think we are looking at this from the comfort of a time of peace. A time when each aircraft accident is analysed in the most minute detail, resulting in the incredibly good record of safety in aviation. War didn't allow such luxuries. The kit had to be good enough so we didn't lose too many people through malfunction, though how you define "too many" is difficult.

In Bomber Command, the prospects for flight crew weren't too good. A huge number died due to enemy action. A lot more survived in POW camps. I wonder what fraction died due to mechanical failure*. My guess is that it was small.

*As against failure due to designs that could have been improved to make the aircraft more resistant to enemy action. For example the RAF's poor specification for bullet resistant petrol tanks.

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
There is at least one Merlin engine at RAF Montrose museum (I'm a member) which is partly dismantled. I don't think I'll be there this year but you never know. I wouldn't mind a closer inspection.

[ppppenguin]

A few years ago I'd been to a Prom concert and was chatting to a guy outside the Albert Hall. He was a mechanical engineer, owned a Merlin engine and was getting it into working order. I don't remember where he said he'd be running it. Not the sort of thing you run in your average suburban garage.

[Nick]

A few years ago I'd been to a Prom concert and was chatting to a guy outside the Albert Hall. He was a mechanical engineer,  owned a Merlin engine and was getting it into working order. I don't remember where he said he'd be running it. Not the sort of thing you run in your average suburban garage.

It could be worse. A lot worse...

[Kalee20]

Cor blimey! Wonder which scrapyard they found the RB211 engine? How to make wind when you want it!

[chriswood]

Absolutely fantastic what a toy, it probably came from somewhere like Cotswold Air Salvage at the old Kemble airfield you may have seen on TV recently the scrapping of the last BA 747s which went there. https://www.cotswoldairport.com/aircraft-breaking

Chris

[BusyBee]

With the pandemic I suspect there will be a bit of a surplus but, although I don't remember the actual price, the last jet engine I saw for sale was not in most people's budgets.

Tracy

[Craig]

Good grief. The number of people with the skill to operate all the ground kit and run a massive jet engine in a test cradle must be very small. Hopefully in the middle of nowhere.

[Murphyv310]

Imagine if that broke free at maximum thrust.
I used to go the test cell in GE Caledonian in Prestwick to service and repair their ride on floor scrubber and when the engine was on test no one was allowed in the test cell whatsoever, all behind special reinforced screens and many other safety precautions. These guys with the RB211 must be mad.

[BusyBee]

I have been to the odd show in which jet engines are run up and things blasted with them. You get things like 'Tractor Pulls' contests in which a tractor pulls a sledge which digs in as it goes where occasionally someone has put a jet on a custom tractor frame too. I believe helicopter engines are a favourite (possibly because of the drive mechanism?) but an RB211 would be overkill for most, probably mainly due to it's size more than anything else. If I remember correctly I did see an RB211 powered generator locally (destined for another country). It was a pretty massive setup. These things were tested locally and special facillities setup, recognisable by the chimneys with right angle to upward pointing vents. They were obvious when running (in the city as they were) but not eccessivlely noisy.

Tracy