Rolls Royce Flying Bedstead
1954
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Rolls Royce Flying Bedstead

The very basic Thrust Measuring Rig or 'Flying Bedstead' was the first British VTOL aircraft and gathered useful data for the P.1127 (Harrier) project. The Bedstead's loaded weight was only about 272kg less than the combined thrust of the two engines, and some of that thrust was ducted away for the control ducts. Each control movement reduced the lifting thrust, requiring a bit more throttle and meaning that it could not be controlled at maximum thrust without a height loss. There was little margin for error — and none at all if one engine faltered. The only plus side was that the engine nozzles were arranged to give thrust (lift) on the centreline so that at least it would plunge vertically rather than flip over. Both Bedsteads did crash, one fatally, and the Harrier adopted a quite different lift system.

Rolls Royce Flying Bedstead


Specification 
 ENGINE2 x 1840kg Rolls-Royce Nene turbojets
 WEIGHTS
    Take-off weight3400 kg7496 lb

Comments 
Michael Wontner-Riches, mwontnerriches(@)btinternet.com, 21.10.2009

Not really a comment, but a friend doubts that I ever saw the Flying Bedstead at an Air Display at Gatwick Airfield in probably 1954. Where can I search to prove that I saw it hover a few feet off the ground all those years ago.

Barry, 22.06.2009

Stictly speaking the research on the "bedstead" was used in aircraft like the Short SC1. The Harriers engine, the Pegasus, used totally different research which was developed by the original designers Bristol Siddley.

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FACTS AND FIGURES

© The pilot's control stick opened and closed valves that directed compressed air to the nozzles mounted at front and rear and on the sides.

© Like all early jet engines, the Nene took a while to spool up to a new power setting, meaning adjustment: had to be made before they were needed.

© The pilot was totally exposed in his seat above the rig. Only after the initial test programme was over was a rudimentary rollover cage added to offer some crash protection.



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