IntroductionTheRolls-Royce RB.80 Conwaywas the firstby-pass
engine(or turbofan) in the world to enter service.The Conway
powered versions of theHandley Page Victor,Vickers VC10,Boeing
707-420and Douglas DC-8-40.
Specifications General
characteristicsType:TurbofanLength:134.21in
(3,409mm)Diameter:37.6in (960mm)Dry weight:4,500lb (2,000kg)
DesignThe RCo.12 Conway is an axial-flow turbofan with a low
bypass ratio of about 25%. It had a seven-stage low-pressure
compressor, the first six stages made of aluminium and the last of
titanium. Behind this is the nine-stage high-pressure compressor,
the first seven stages of titanium and the last two of steel. The
bypass housing duct was also made of titanium. The combustion area
consisted of ten cannularflame cans. The high-pressure compressor
was driven by a single-stage turbine using hollow air-cooled
blades, which was followed by the two-stage turbine powering the
low-pressure compressor.
DesignAccessories were arranged around the front of the engine,
leading to a minimum of increased diameter.The engine produced
17,150 pounds-force (76,300N) for takeoff, weighed 4,500 pounds
(2,000kg) and had aspecific fuel consumptionof 0.712 at take-off
thrust and 0.87 for cruise.By 1968 aHyfilcarbon-fibrefan assembly
was in service on Conways of the VC10s operated byBOAC.The final
development of the Conway series was theRCo.42, designed
specifically for theVickers VC10.
Conway engine
RAF Victor with Conway engine
FormerQantas707-138B owned byJohn Travoltaat the 2007Paris Air
show with a Conway engine.
