Bristol Proteus
Design work on the Proteus started in September 1944, during the course of development the gas generator section was built as a small turbojet which became known as the Bristol Phoebus. This engine was test flown in May 1946 fitted to the bomb bay of an Avro Lincoln, performance was poor due to airflow problems. The centrifugal compressor was redesigned but similar problems were encountered when the Proteus started ground testing on 25 January 1947. The Proteus was a two spool, reverse-flow gas turbine, similar to the original Whittle engine designs with an extra turbine stage. Because the turbine stages of the inner spool drove no compressor stages, but only the propeller, this engine is sometimes classified as a free turbine. During development, there were severe problems with compressor blades, turbine blades and bearings failing at even low power output levels. This led to the famous quote of Proteus Chief Engineer Frank Owner to Chief Engineer of the Engine Division Stanley Hooker: "You know, Stanley, when we designed the Proteus I decided we should make the engine with the lowest fuel consumption in the world, regardless of its weight and bulk. So far, we have achieved the weight and bulk!" Variants: Proteus series 1 Proteus series 2
Proteus 610
The engines used in the Coupled-Proteus installations for the Saunders-Roe Princess airliner. Proteus 625
Proteus 700
Proteus 705
Proteus 710
The engines slated for use in the Coupled-Proteus installations of the Bristol Brabazon I Mk.II. Proteus 750
Proteus 755
Proteus 756
Proteus 757
Proteus 758
Proteus 760
Proteus 761
Proteus 762
Proteus 765
Proteus Mk.255
Military engines similar to the Proteus 765, to power the Bristol 253 Britannia C.Mk.1. Coupled-Proteus 610
Twin Proteus 600 series engines driving contra-rotating propellers through a combining gearbox, developed specifically for the Saunders-Roe SR.45 Princess. Coupled-Proteus 710 Twin Proteus 710 engines driving contra-rotating propellers for the Bristol Brabazon I Mk.II. Bluebird Proteus
A specially modified Proteus 705 with drive shafts at front and rear of the engine to drive front and rear differential gearboxes on Donald Campbell's Bluebird-Proteus CN7. Applications:
Specifications: Proteus Mk.705
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