Allison T38
The Allison T38 (company Model 501) was an early turboprop engine developed by Allison Engine Company during the late 1940s. The T38 became the basis for the very successful family of Allison T56 turboprop engine.[1]
Design and development
Developed as a stand-alone single section of the T40 (Model 500) twin engine to aid in development of the T40, the T38 started life with a 19-stage axial compressor, eight can type combustion chambers, a 4-stage turbine driving the compressor and the extension shaft to the reduction gearbox.[2]
Initially rated at Script error: No such module "convert". the T38 first ran in 1947 and flew in the nose of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress test-bed on 19 April 1949, rated at Script error: No such module "convert".. Problems with gearbox vibration and combustion were dealt with during the test program and were mirrored by problems with the T40, which had a pair of T38 power sections feeding a common gearbox. The engines fitted to the Convair CV-240-21 Turboliner were rated to Template:Cvt equivalent.[2]
In 1951, the United States Air Force decided that the production version of the Beechcraft XT-36 trainer—then in the mockup stage and designed for the Pratt & Whitney R-2800—would be retrofitted with the T38 when the engine entered full-scale production, which was anticipated to occur in 1955–1960. This decision ultimately doomed the aircraft, as the design changes required to accommodate the T38 delayed the project and rendered the aircraft overweight and over budget.[3]
Although the only other aircraft slated to receive the T38 as a production engine, the Convair T-29E, was cancelled, the T38 did power a converted Convair CV-240 (the CV-240-21 Turboliner, a project that would be abandoned due to engine problems), and was fitted in the nose of the McDonnell XF-88B to drive experimental supersonic propellers. Further development of the T38 provided the power sections for the Allison T40 as well as forming the basis for the Allison T56/Model 501 and the projected Allison T39.[2]
Variants
- Model 501-B7
- commercial version of the T38-A-6[4]
- XT38
- prototypes of the engine, single engine section of the T40, to assist in the development of the T40.[5]
- XT38-A-2
- [6]
- XT38-A-5
- Turboprop fitted to the McDonnell XF-88B.
- T38-A-6
- Military version of 501-B7[4]
- T38-A-10
- Template:Cvt turboshaft version for the Piasecki YH-16A Transporter
- T39
- (Model 504) A projected Script error: No such module "convert". development of the T38 which was cancelled before hardware had been produced.[7][2]
- T40
- (Model 500) The Script error: No such module "convert". turboprop origin of the T38,[5] composed of two power sections driving a common gearbox.[2][8]
- T44
- (Model 503) large turboprop with three T38 engine sections.
- T56
- (Model 502) enlarged and improved version of the T38, destined to enter service by the tens of thousands.
Applications
- Beechcraft XT-36 (planned for retrofit; project cancelled)[3]
- Boeing B-17 Anudderone test-bed. mounted in the nose with a 3-bladed propeller.[2]
- Convair CV-240-21 Turboliner[2][5]
- McDonnell XF-88B[2]
- Piasecki YH-16A Transporter
Specifications (T38-A-6 / 501-B7)
Data from Aircraft engines of the World 1953[4]
General characteristics
- Type: Turboprop / Turboshaft
- Length: Template:Cvt engine section only
- Diameter: Template:Cvt (gearbox diameter); Template:Cvt engine section diameter
- Dry weight: Template:Cvt with extension shaft and gearbox
Components
- Compressor: 17-stage axial
- Combustors: 8 tubular inter-connected stainless steel combustion chambers
- Turbine: 4-stage axial discs of Timken 16-25-4 alloy with special alloy blades
- Fuel type: MIL-F-5572 100/130 Octane Gasoline
- Oil system: Dry sump, gear pump at Template:Cvt with scavenge pump; MIL-O-6081A
Performance
- Maximum power output: Template:Cvt + Template:Cvt for take-off at 14,300 rpm at sea level (Template:Cvt equivalent)
- Overall pressure ratio: 6.3:1
- Specific fuel consumption: Template:Cvt (equivalent shp)
- Power-to-weight ratio: Template:Cvt
See also
Related development
Related lists
References
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Further reading
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