THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AIRCRAFT GAS TURBINE IN GREAT BRITAIN AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PETROLEUM REQUIREMENTS

The development of the gas turbine in Great Britain as an aircraft power unit is traced, and the influence of military requirements on commercial aircraft and engine design is discussed.

The conclusion is reached that the gas turbine as an aircraft power plant in turbojet and turboprop form is the power plant of the future. Turbo fuel requirements are increasing rapidly and within a few years will be many times greater than those of aviation gasoline.

Engine and aircraft operating conditions are discussed, from which an assessment is made of the technical requirements which must be met by a gas turbine fuel. Specification limits are suggested.

Similarly the lubrication of both turbojet and turboprop engines are considered. They are fractional in quantity but exacting technically and cannot be met by the use of conventional petroleum oils. The development of special lubricants of non petroleum origin is referred to.