Other uses for the RR Peregrine?

Quickly overshadowed by its larger sibling the Merlin's brighter potential, the RR Peregrine was used only in the Whirlwind and then retired. However, could we find other uses for the Peregrine's compact dimensions and weight vs. the Merlin?

Per wiki...

Peregine
  • Length: 73.6 in (1,869 mm)
  • Width: 27.1 in (688 mm)
  • Height: 41.0 in (1,041 mm)
  • Dry weight: 1,140 lb (517 kg)
Merlin 61
  • Length: 88.7 in (225 cm)
  • Width: 30.8 in (78 cm)
  • Height: 40 in (102 cm)
  • Dry weight: 1,640 lb (744 kg)
 
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My first thought was for ground transport. For example, use the Peregine in place of the Nuffield Liberty used on many British tanks.
 
A Meteor-ised Peregrine would probably develop something in the region of 415 hp, on a par with late-model Liberty engines but in a more modern package. An improvement, no doubt, but more in the field of reliability than performance. Something like a Meteor with 600 hp would still be wanted later.

For what it's worth, a land version of the Griffon would probably do about 815 hp and make a useful engine for a heavy tank, if anyone wanted one.
 
Were there applications where the Meteor engine was too large dimensionally or by weight? Perhaps the Peregrine could fit better into armoured cars or what about marine applications?
 
Were there applications where the Meteor engine was too large dimensionally or by weight? Perhaps the Peregrine could fit better into armoured cars or what about marine applications?

Well there was the 400hp Meteorite derived from the Meteor, it went into the Thornycroft Antar tank transporter.
 
Interesting. I'd never heard of the Meteorite. Thanks.

How about smaller aircraft for which the Merlin was too big, that could use a new lease on life. Such as an inline Gladiator for the FAA until the Sea Hurricane and Fulmar are ready?

ilglad.jpg

http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=186.0
 
Interesting. I'd never heard of the Meteorite. Thanks.

How about smaller aircraft for which the Merlin was too big, that could use a new lease on life. Such as an inline Gladiator for the FAA until the Sea Hurricane and Fulmar are ready?

ilglad.jpg

http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=186.0

Does replacing an 830hp 960lb radial with an 880hp 1160lb inline engine (plus however much the cooling system weighed) get you any more performance.
 
It's a good question. I wonder if the extra streamlining of the in-line engine would give any advantage over the drag-inducing yet lightweight radial?

The only example I can think of that's a close comparison is the P-36 versus the P-40 - was the in-line version any faster?

Totally off topic, but my favourite aircraft is the P-36 Hawk. I think it would look great as a FAA fighter, perhaps with a British radial engine, though there's nothing wrong with the American Wasp or Cyclone. Some good content here http://curtisshawk75.bravepages.com/ Certainly one of the best looking American prop fighters of all time, IMO.

 
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The early P-40s were good for 350+ mph, vs. ~315 for the best P-36 version.

A Meteor-ised Peregrine would probably develop something in the region of 415 hp, on a par with late-model Liberty engines but in a more modern package. An improvement, no doubt, but more in the field of reliability than performance. Something like a Meteor with 600 hp would still be wanted later.

For what it's worth, a land version of the Griffon would probably do about 815 hp and make a useful engine for a heavy tank, if anyone wanted one.

The Liberty tank engines with more than 340 HP were unsuited for miltary use. So a Kestrel/Peregrine with 400-450 HP would've been a major boon for the UK tank force, both in power and reliability.
 
The Miles Master was powered by the Peregrine's older sibling the Kestrel. Perhaps the Peregrine could have found a home with the Master?
Miles-Master.jpg
 
A Meteor-ised Peregrine would probably develop something in the region of 415 hp, on a par with late-model Liberty engines but in a more modern package. An improvement, no doubt, but more in the field of reliability than performance. Something like a Meteor with 600 hp would still be wanted later.
Rolls-Royce converted both the Merlin and the Kestrel during WWII with the Kestrel generating 475 hp on pool petrol but since it didn't meet the hp per ton level the government was looking for they chose the Merlin with it becoming the Meteor. Using the Meteor as a rule of thumb say that 75 hp is taken up running the associated engine systems that still leaves you 400 hp for motive power, since the Peregrine is a development of the Kestrel and generated more power I'd expect you to get more than 415 hp out of it.
 
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