Armstrong Siddeley Motors: Minutes of a meeting to review the Python position

Development position: 100 hours running have been carried out during the period, making a total of 11,31 hours P.240: This engine is undergoing 150-hour modifications approval test and the following have been experienced: (a) First attempt of the test was terminated by the failure of the turbo-starter engagement mechanism. BTH attribute this failure to faulty component in the mechanics, and this has now been put right. (b) The test was further delayed by the fact that the engine filled with EEL.3 oil due to much greater leakage than expected from the ICU. Rotol now confirm that this is now of the order of 190 gallons/hour. (c) The latest type of igniters to D.9202 6 failed after 52 hours. The ceramic was loose on the electrode and the outer member was revolving on the ceramic P.130: This engine has undergone successful trials with the Lucas acceleration control and the work is covered in the Experimental Department note of 9 March. Functionally this control is quite satisfactory but the bulk and weight make it very difficult to accommodate P.105: This engine is still at Rotol on ICU development P.146: This engine has been run with the modified inter-stage labyrinth on the twin disc turbine P.104: This engine is being run with stator cooling taken from the end of the compressor and visual tip clearance tests are to be carried out Other matters arising on Python engines: 1 Jet pipe temperature control 2 Anti-icing 3 Low oil pressure 4 Alternative fuels 5 Fuel pump seizures 6 Positively earthed reverse torque switch 7 Tropical trials at Khartoum 8 Engine Troubles: (a) Turbine feed manifold (b) New tabwashers for layshaft nuts (c) Loose igniters (d) Turbine blade fit (e) Front end seizure P.192 (f) Fuel pipe failures on P.239 (g) Flight idling stop setting. A meeting is to be held at Westlands on Friday, 13 March to discuss this matter (h) BTH starters 9 RTO memos: X.25/139/JAF tropicalisation trials on the Wyvern X.25/518/JAF fire on ASP.175 X.25/482/JAF Failure of a valve on gas starter trolley X.25/516/JAF The question of using 18deg pitch stop to improve the deck landing characteristics X.25/330/JAF Cockpit cooling air 10 Python Mk.3 technical certificate: The meeting referred to Mr Eales' note of 25 February objecting to the jet pipe temperature limitations laid down for idling. Our objections have been conveyed to the MoS and the matter is under discussion 11 Mechanical laboratory report on the Ultra control switch dated 4 February. The Flight section point out that the life of this switch is quite adequate and if necessary the switch can be used