Supersonic Harrier testbed

Leading Observer · October 17, 2020, 02:49:11 AM

Over on FB TSR Joe posted this link [url][https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234964499-hawker-siddeley-harrier-xv798-supersonic-harrier-evaluation//url]

sideshowbob9 · October 17, 2020, 02:51:24 AM

^ I had no knowledge of this! Thanks for the link!

Hobbes · October 17, 2020, 02:59:21 AM

Lest you think there was a plan to make a supersonic version of the P.1127 Harrier: that aircraft was used to test plenum chamber burning (PCB), i.e. afterburning in the nozzles of a VTOL engine like the Pegasus. The tests were all on a gantry, AFAIK, so the Harrier never flew with this engine.

The project was part of the BAe P.1216 development.

Leading Observer · October 17, 2020, 03:59:11 AM

Quote from: Hobbes on October 17, 2020, 02:59:21 AM
Lest you think there was a plan to make a supersonic version of the P.1127 Harrier: that aircraft was used to test plenum chamber burning (PCB), i.e. afterburning in the nozzles of a VTOL engine like the Pegasus. The tests were all on a gantry, AFAIK, so the Harrier never flew with this engine.

The project was part of the BAe P.1216 development.

In the real world that may have been true. On here...

Nick · October 17, 2020, 04:09:13 AM

I haven't been to Weston on Mud for a very long time. I went to one model show there and the Helicopter Museum back in 2007. It must have changed a bit in that time.

zenrat · October 17, 2020, 04:11:41 AM

Tided up your brackets.

Hobbes · October 17, 2020, 04:12:40 AM

XV798 isn't at Weston any more, it's being restored at the moment at the Hucknall Flight Test Museum.

Doug K · October 17, 2020, 04:20:23 AM

There was a section of Francis K Mason's Harrier book which covered this. It was amazing to see the images of the test Ed with full PCB running. Basically 2 downward afterburners!

Another project killed by the RAF's reluctance to let go of their big runways...

zenrat · October 17, 2020, 04:24:07 AM

Britmodeller is a PitA because to makes me disable my adblocker. Grrrrrr.

I have in my head an image of a Harrier taking off vertically on full afterburner screaming up into the sky on pillars of fire.

Rheged · October 17, 2020, 05:25:23 AM

Quote from: zenrat on October 17, 2020, 04:24:07 AM
I have in my head an image of a Harrier taking off vertically on full afterburner screaming up into the sky on pillars of fire.

A Biblical quote from Exodus seems to suit this well. As they trekked through the wilderness, they were led by "A pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night".

PR19_Kit · October 17, 2020, 09:02:31 AM

There's a BS100 engine, complete with those monster front nozzles, on a stand at the FAA Museum at Yeovilton. Compared to a 'normal' Pegasus engine it's HUGE!

JayBee · October 17, 2020, 09:09:19 AM

Quote from: Rheged on October 17, 2020, 05:25:23 AM
Quote from: zenrat on October 17, 2020, 04:24:07 AM
I have in my head an image of a Harrier taking off vertically on full afterburner screaming up into the sky on pillars of fire.

A Biblical quote from Exodus seems to suit this well. As they trekked through the wilderness, they were led by "A pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night".

Not a great idea as it was only the rear nozzels that would have had the PCB, the front ones being cold air, so you would have had an aircraft doing giant cartwheels in the sky!

PR19_Kit · October 17, 2020, 09:39:20 AM

The BS100 engine had PCB on the front nozzles, that's why they were so massive.

jcf · October 17, 2020, 02:48:33 PM

As Kit sez, the BS100 is a monster with forward PCB.

NARSES2 · October 18, 2020, 06:52:54 AM

I was going to ask why the different coloured bands, but they explain why

Love the drip trays, well I assume that's what they are ?

Supersonic Harrier testbed

sideshowbob9