Westland Wyvern - Development and Projects

[Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhha]

Is the flight performance for the Clyde-powered variant available? I've yet to find much information about it in regards to its performance. I would presume that the weapons fit was more or less identical to the T.F.Mk.1.

I am actively searching for its actual flight trial performance. But if you are interested in some estimates, feel free to have a look:

 

[Basil]

It is really a pity that Rolls Royce did not continue the development of the Clyde, especially with the two-stage centrifugal compressor version RB52 - see tartle's excellent post about this engine - https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...s-turbine-development.1016/page-3#post-151888

I always wondered why the Eagle powered version of the Wyvern was so much faster than the turboprop version.

 

[Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhha]

It is really a pity that Rolls Royce did not continue the development of the Clyde, especially with the two-stage centrifugal compressor version RB52 - see tartle's excellent post about this engine - https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...s-turbine-development.1016/page-3#post-151888

I always wondered why the Eagle powered version of the Wyvern was so much faster than the turboprop version.

Indeed, it's a shame. Many consider it one of the major mistakes in Lord Hives' career.

Regarding the turboprop Wyvern S.4, I don't have its drag analysis report, but I suspect the enlarged tailplane and vertical stabiliser, along with the extra tailplane fins contributed significantly to its drag. Also, the Python engine was not as powerful at altitude.

I wonder if the Clyde-powered VP.120 achieved better performance than the production S.4 during its trials, given its powerful Rolls-Royce engine and cleaner design.

 

[robunos]

Bill Gunston, World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines, 5th Edition, page 195.

cheers,
Robin.

 

[Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhha]

Hey folks,

After another visit to the National Archives, I finally found something really interesting about the performance of the lovely Wyvern VP.120:



It achieved 422 mph at 25,000 ft and 402 mph at 5,000 ft during the test.

Based on the information regarding the specific engine the aircraft used during the test flight (Clyde No.10), the engine output at sea level should be around 3,020 shp. (To my knowledge, higher power was never applied in flight tests)



With a bit of data fitting, I obtained the red speed performance curve below:



The VP.120 failed to meet its estimated speed performance set by Westland in 1947, but it outperformed the Python-powered S.4 with less power. Given that the Clyde had way more potential than the Python, with a whopping 4,230 shp clearance test finished as early as 1949, this variant of the Wyvern could have been a really good torpedo-fighter.