Bristol Thor

Thor
Bristol Thor modified for display purposes
Type Ramjet
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Bristol Aero Engines
First run 1950
Major applications Bristol Bloodhound

The Bristol Thor, latterly Bristol Siddeley BS.1009 Thor, was a 16-inch (41 cm) diameter ramjet engine developed by Bristol Aero Engines (later Bristol Siddeley Engines) for the Bristol Bloodhound anti-aircraft missile.

Although Bristol Aero Engines acquired ramjet technology from the US company Marquardt, BAE put considerable effort into developing the Thor unit,[1] including the construction of a high altitude test plant (HATP) at their Patchway site, with a supersonic test cell.

The Bloodhound Mk.1 could attain a speed of Mach 2.2, while the Mk.2 was capable of just over Mach 2.7.[2]

Engine identification plate

Variants

BT.1 Thor
BT.2 Thor
BT.4 Thor
BS.1009 Thor

Specifications (BT.2 Thor)

Data from [3]

General characteristics

  • Type: Ramjet
  • Length: 103.9 in (2,639 mm)
  • Diameter: 15.75 in (400 mm)
  • Dry weight:

Components

  • Compressor:

Performance

Notes

  1. ^ "British Ramjets". Flight. 70 (2481): 212–213. 10 August 1956.
  2. ^ "Bristol Thor Ramjet Engine". RAF. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  3. ^ Taylor, John W.R. FRHistS. ARAeS (1962). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63. London: Sampson, Low, Marston & Co Ltd.
  4. ^ "Aero Products". Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2013.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bristol Thor.
  • Taylor, John W.R. FRHistS. ARAeS (1962). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63. London: Sampson, Low, Marston & Co Ltd.