Skywriters

摘要

Regarding Tom Eeles' article on the Whirlwind in the September issue, it was interesting to read the uncomplimentary comments made by Dowding about Westland. They echo the frustrations of Rolls-Royce in its own dealings with that company over the installation of the Peregrine, which did absolutely nothing for the reputation of the engine. Westland seemed unable to concede that a car manufacturer could know more about aero engine installation than itself, and would continueto ignore any proposals or advice offered by the Rolls-Royce Flight Test Department. Even at that time Rolls-Royce's expertise in installing engines into airframes was second to none. In consequence, the Whirlwind prototype ended up with detrimental features such as its exhaust system passing through the wing and the main fuel tanks, its cowlings so tight that the engines overheated, and its carburettor inlet ducts so long that they were unusually inefficient.