Rolls Royce Viper
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| Type
| Axial-flow turbojet
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| Manufacturer
| Armstrong Siddeley, Bristol Siddeley, then Rolls Royce
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| Introduced
| first run 1951, first use in an aircraft 1953.
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| Primary users
| RAF, Italian, Yugoslav and Brazilian Air Force, RAAF, SAAF, plus many others
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The Engine On Display
This engine is on display next to the
Macchi MB326 trainer, in which type it was used.
The annotation indicates it is a Mark 22-11, developing 2,500 lb thrust, and was
manufactured in Australia under license. The note also describes it as a "Rolls Royce Viper",
Rolls Royce being the last identity under which it was manufactured.
Type History
The Viper was initially designed and produced by the Armstrong Siddeley company
as a scaled-down version of their Sapphire, reportedly with an intended use as
the engine for the Australian Jindivik drone target aircraft. However, as demand grew
for small jet engines to power jet trainer aircraft, it was upgraded to a more robust design.
It was the chosen powerplant for not only the
Macchi MB326, used by the RAAF,
but also the British Jet Provost and the Yugoslav Soko Galeb, both also advanced trainers.
The Armstrong Siddeley company was taken over by the Bristol Aeroplane company in 1959-1960,
becoming Bristol Siddeley, and it was in this guise that it was evaluated and ordered with
the Macchi MB326 by the RAAF, in 1964-1965. Rolls Royce took over Bristol Siddeley in 1966,
so it was under this manufacturer that deliveries were made to the RAAF.
Specifications (Mark ASV-12)
| Maximum thrust: | 2,700 lb (1,225 kgf)
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| Weight: | 549 lb (249 kg)
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References / Links
Wikipedia