Gloster F5/34

[Archibald]

How about an upgraded version with something like a Bristol Hercules engine?

Regards,

Greg

Well, why not trying Taurus ?

Diameters are close, the biggest differences would be in overall installed length and a major increase in weight.
Mercury around 1,095 lbs

Hercules around 1,845 lbs

Taurus was 1300 Ib dry

[jcf]

Taurus is also smaller:
Diameter: 46.25"
Length: 49.2"

Maximum power rating:
max boost setting of 4.25 lb/ sq inch, 1,140 bhp at 3,225 rpm from takeoff to 1,000' or one minute. All-out level flight for same settings is five minutes. 87 Octane fuel.

Figures from Lumsden 'British Aero Engines'.

Jon

[Archibald]

So let's try the Perseus.
The -XA variant of the Botha was rated at 930 hp against 840 hp for the Mercury. This would be an interim engine, then switch to the Taurus when available.

the Perseus was not much used aside the Botha, an aircraft nobody would regret after its cancellation circa 1940...  

[B777LR]

The Gloster F5 prototypes *may* have been as fast as the Hurricane, but not once you've added such operational extras such as radios, IFF, armour, guns, etc.  The engine itself wasn't suited to fighters and virtually all of the fighter types that used the Mercury were hacked out of the sky by the Luftwaffe.

Well then the RAF could have used it as a British Tunderbolt! Boom and zoom