Napier Double Scorpion
This is a twin-chambered rocket engine, operated by the 'thermal ignition' principle where the by-products of decomposed liquid high-test peroxide (HTP) are used to sustain combustion of aviation kerosene fuel.
Designed and developed at the Napier Flight Development Establishment at Luton, the Double Scorpion was originally intended to boost the high-altitude combat performance of the Lightning interceptor, but as it turned out, it was never fitted into a Lightning. It was first run on 19 May 1956 and just one day later it was also fired in the air, whilst mounted in the bomb-bay of an English Electric Canberra B.2.
Two Canberras were fitted with Double Scorpions to facilitate testing of improved high-altitude performance. On 28 August 1957, Canberra B.2 WK163, reached an altitude of 44,000 feet on its two standard Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets. At this point, the Double Scorpion rocket engine was started and the Canberra rapidly climbed to a new world-record height for manned aircraft of 70,310 feet (21,430m).
The Double Scorpion produced 6,000 lb of thrust when both chambers were firing. It is 856mm long, 584mm wide and weighs 98 kg. However, the project was cancelled in February 1959 after £1.25 million had been spent.
The example seen above has been sectioned (cutaway) to allow a look at its internal composition, presumably for training purposes. Today, it can be found in the RAF Museum at Hendon.
Napier Double Scorpion
This is a twin-chambered rocket engine, operated by the 'thermal ignition' principle where the by-products of decomposed liquid high-test peroxide (HTP) are used to sustain combustion of aviation kerosene fuel.
Designed and developed at the Napier Flight Development Establishment at Luton, the Double Scorpion was originally intended to boost the high-altitude combat performance of the Lightning interceptor, but as it turned out, it was never fitted into a Lightning. It was first run on 19 May 1956 and just one day later it was also fired in the air, whilst mounted in the bomb-bay of an English Electric Canberra B.2.
Two Canberras were fitted with Double Scorpions to facilitate testing of improved high-altitude performance. On 28 August 1957, Canberra B.2 WK163, reached an altitude of 44,000 feet on its two standard Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets. At this point, the Double Scorpion rocket engine was started and the Canberra rapidly climbed to a new world-record height for manned aircraft of 70,310 feet (21,430m).
The Double Scorpion produced 6,000 lb of thrust when both chambers were firing. It is 856mm long, 584mm wide and weighs 98 kg. However, the project was cancelled in February 1959 after £1.25 million had been spent.
The example seen above has been sectioned (cutaway) to allow a look at its internal composition, presumably for training purposes. Today, it can be found in the RAF Museum at Hendon.