Rolls-Royce Thrust Measuring Rig mk2

[Majorjim!]

Hi all,

 

 I am very happy to be able to share my latest rebuild of my Rolls-Royce Thrust measuring rig. For those unaware of the amazing feat of British engineering that was the Thrust measuring rig I will add a small bit of information about this aircraft. For ease and clarity I have copy and pasted the information below. It is from Wikipedia but I have looked into the information and it is accurate.

 

 

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The Rolls-Royce Thrust Measuring Rig (TMR) was a pioneering vertical take off and landing aircraft developed by Rolls-Royce in the 1950s.

The man largely responsible for the development of the TMR was Dr Alan Arnold Griffith, who had worked on gas turbine design at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), in the 1920s and was a pioneer of jet lift technology. Griffith was employed by Rolls-Royce in 1939.

Two Thrust Measuring Rigs were built with the first taking to the air on 3 July 1953 at Hucknall Aerodrome Nottinghamshire, England, though it remained tethered to the ground while airborne. The first free flight by the TMR was made on 3 August 1954 with R.T Shepard, Rolls-Royce's chief test pilot, at the controls. The TMR had only marginal excess power and flying was tricky due to this, combined with the slow throttle response of the engines, and a considerable degree of anticipation in the use of engine power was required in order to prevent overshooting of desired altitude, and to ensure a gentle touchdown when landing. The aircraft survived a failure of its thrust-vectored control system on September 16, 1957 1957 whilst piloted by Wing Commander Stan Hubbard of RAE. The second Thrust Measuring Rig (Serial XK426) was destroyed on 29 November 1957 killing Wing Commander H. G. F. Larsen who was piloting the machine for the first time.

As the TMR possessed no inherent stability, it incorporated an automatic stabiliser system. The output of the jets was directed towards the centre of the rig with one jetpipe discharging downwards through a central nozzle while the other jet discharged downwards through two smaller nozzles on either side. Four outrigger arms extended out from the rig, one on either side and one each at the front and rear, through which compressed air was released for control in roll, pitch and yaw when in flight. The purpose of the rig was, as the name suggests, to test turbojet engines for lifting purposes and to develop techniques for controlling such an aircraft.

Following successful trials of the TMR, Rolls-Royce began development of the Rolls-Royce RB.108 direct-lift turbojet, five of which were used to power the first true British VTOL aircraft, the short SC-1.

 

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The replica of the TMR I have made also has no inherent stability. There is no probe core or any SAS at all. Without the RCS it is uncontrollable. This gives you a very satisfying and realistic replica experience when flying the TMR. It takes a lot of practice and some skill to fly well. But no matter your flight abilities, flying the TMR will improve your landing and hovering skills immensely.

 With practice you can fly it like the real thing. Holding the aircraft in a hover using the jets and adjusting your path with the RCS four extended arms.

 I really went to town on the details for this one and looking at a picture of the real thing you can see the closeness of the design. Right down to the curved fore and aft arms and two intake jet set up. Alas, the tiny jets are super weak, only lifting about 1.5t each. And the absolute lowest weight possible whilst sacrificing as few details as possible I could make is 4.3t so two jets wont lift it and the TMRs TWR was over 1.

So I have used three tiny jets. So whilst not exactly like the real ones two Nene turbojet engines it does give the bottom of the aircraft a more realistic look as the TMR had three thrust nozzles.

To save weight I had to forgo some of the extra struts that the old version had. It used to weigh 7.2t but used a very powerful larger jet so TWR was not an issue. It is still a much better replica despite to loss of some strut detail.

 

So on to pics! I made a video also, like the old one, a trip through the tunnel to show the kind of exquisite VTOL control possible with the Thrust measuring rig.

 

 

 

 

 

To fly this 'beadstead' climb the ladder and get in the seat. Press action group 1 to separate the pod and retract the ladder. then start up the engines.

  You must have RCS on as you cannot control it without this. If you have SAS on it will use RCS fuel needlessly, leave it off.

 

You have to balance the and use the RCS for fine altitude, pitch, roll and yaw motions. Have fun and good luck test pilots!

Download from KerbalX

MJ

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2015 by Majorjim

[selfish_meme]

I really liked the first one you built, and I think this one looks even better! Nice job! I think I will be seeing this on Spacecraft Friday, I hope the person doing it is testing craft this time.

[Azimech]

Very good replica! I agree with selfish_meme!

[pTrevTrevs]

Nice! I remember the original one you made back in the day, when I was still a lurker...

Wow, has it been so long since that was was released?

[Bubbadevlin]

I like the design!

[Cupcake...]

My word, looks as dangerous as the real thing! Great replica though, I was secretly hoping we'd see more VTOL designs from you.

 

Cupcake...

[Raptor9]

I don't understand how all those scientists and interns are supposed to get any work done in the R&D complex with that thing screaming around the building...

[Majorjim!]

Just now, Cupcake... said:

My word, looks as dangerous as the real thing! Great replica though, I was secretly hoping we'd see more VTOL designs from you.

 

Cupcake...

Indeed it was..

 The second one made IRL took the life of Wing Commander H. G. F. Larsen on his first flight sadly.

 It was not for the faint of heart.

Just now, Raptor9 said:

I don't understand how all those scientists and interns are supposed to get any work done in the R&D complex with that thing screaming around the building...

Oh yes, the sound of three screaming jets to help inspire the new recruits!

 

Just now, Bubbadevlin said:

I like the design!

Thank you, I am happy with this one.

Just now, pTrevTrevs said:

Nice! I remember the original one you made back in the day, when I was still a lurker...

Wow, has it been so long since that was was released?

Ah yes, twas many a year ago. Good times man.

Just now, Azimech said:

Very good replica! I agree with selfish_meme!

Cheers dude.

33 minutes ago, selfish_meme said:

I really liked the first one you built, and I think this one looks even better! Nice job! I think I will be seeing this on Spacecraft Friday, I hope the person doing it is testing craft this time.

And ye dude too, thank you. I would love to see someone fly it for the first time.

 

Thanks all!

 

MJ

[Castille7]

Sorry I am just seeing this craft now, this is an incredible build, can't even imagine the hours you put in this one! Thumbs up man!

[Majorjim!]

17 hours ago, castille7 said:

Sorry I am just seeing this craft now, this is an incredible build, can't even imagine the hours you put in this one! Thumbs up man!

Thanks man, as it was a rebuild it was quicker than a new build but still took a good 8 hours of work. I am SUPER ocd when it comes to part placement so I take my time.

[Castille7]

1 hour ago, Majorjim said:

Thanks man, as it was a rebuild it was quicker than a new build but still took a good 8 hours of work. I am SUPER ocd when it comes to part placement so I take my time.

I am with you on that! ........believe me if I weren't so OCD I would build craft sooooooo! much faster! and some are still sloppy, it's all fun for me not so much the clean looks, although clean looking craft are very much impressive I just don't burn myself out on those details.....I'm not that much ocd.

Edited December 13, 2015 by castille7

[Majorjim!]

Just now, castille7 said:

I am with you on that! ........believe me if I weren't so OCD I would build craft sooooooo! much faster! and some are still sloppy, it's all fun for me not so much the clean looks, although clean looking craft are very much impressive I just don't burn myself out on those details.....I'm not that much ocd.

Building is my therapy so I like to take my time and place each part as well as possible. Personally I believe in quality over quantity so I'm happy being slow. As they say in boating, slow is pro!

 Thanks for the kind words mate.