Memo from Mr Chapman to Mr Saxton, Armstrong Siddeley Motors: Python turbine failure

Following the turbine bursting during take-off at Gosport, Friday 23 October, all aircraft with single turbine disc engines have been grounded pending an investigation of the engine which was received at Parkside on 28 October 1953 Mr Thomas considers that this is not our usual thermal failure, but we should know the cause by Friday, 30 October 1953 Mr Thomas stated on the 27 October 1953, that about 20 aircraft will be grounded. They are: HMS Eagle 1 No.813 Squadron, Ford 5 RAE, Farnborough 3 Boscombe Down 4 Rotol 2 RAF Manby 1 Westland 6 All engines on contracts received total 187 split up as follows: With single disc Wyvern flight development 1 Wyvern production for CSA A/C 7 Lincoln production for CSA A/C 11 Wyvern production (Admiralty) 92 With twin disc Bench development 5 Wyvern flight development 2 Wyvern production for CSA A/C 4 Wyvern production (Admiralty) 44 Engines written off on development 14 Engines not yet delivered 7 Position of the 92 production engines delivered with single discs: Engines in aircraft in Service 21 Engines installed in Westlands 19 Engines at MU 22 Engines at Armstrong Siddeley Motors for overhaul 18 Engines in transit to Armstrong Siddeley Motors for overhaul 6 Engines already converted to twin discs 5 Engines written-off 1