Rolls Royce prometheus engines

[Warpa]

Im looking for a link that was posted here a while ago on the boat that is moored by Southampton football ground, there were videos and details on the boats history and i would like to cacth up on them as i point it out to friends and family but dont have all the details.

Last i heard was that the or a owner wanted to rebuild her at saxon, but due to the possible expense it was not allowed there incase owner or new owner ran out of cash etc etc. Then there is also the history of these particular engines, only a few made and very sort after? Would love to re read the full history again.

 

[Whitelighter]

I think you are probably referring to Brave Challenger? Has quite a checkered history iirc.

Some info here: http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/2635/brave-challenger

 

[petem]

If it's Brave Challenger then there are quite a few topics / posts on here relating to her.

Regarding the engines, I have a vague recollection of the owner buying some classic hovercraft that shared the same unit.

Pete

 

[petem]

Here you go...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR.N4

and another...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wensley_Haydon-Baillie

 

[Warpa]

Thats the one, thanks peeps

 

[aquapower]

If it's Brave Challenger then there are quite a few topics / posts on here relating to her.

Regarding the engines, I have a vague recollection of the owner buying some classic hovercraft that shared the same unit.

Pete

He bought hovercraft and spares from Hoverspeed that now sits at Lee on Solent.

The first of your links above show this, should have read that first

 

[petem]

Does anyone know if those SRN4's are still being maintained at the hovercraft museum?

 

[penfold]

Does anyone know if those SRN4's are still being maintained at the hovercraft museum?

Keeping them weathertight is enough of a challenge on the museum's miniscule budget, they're unlikely to ever run again under their own steam. If they need to be moved it involves a portable blower unit of gigantic size. If the musuem moves to the former hoverport at Pegwell as was reported shifting them will be fun! The engines are Proteus, and were originally a Bristol design(hence the mythological name rather than a UK river); RR bought Bristol aeroengines in the 1960s. They aren't rare by aeroengine standards, fitted to the Bristol Brittannia, various RN fast patrol boats, large numbers of Vosper Thornycroft patrol boats, the SRN4s and a whole load of standby electricity generators.

 

[Latestarter1]

Keeping them weathertight is enough of a challenge on the museum's miniscule budget, they're unlikely to ever run again under their own steam. If they need to be moved it involves a portable blower unit of gigantic size. If the musuem moves to the former hoverport at Pegwell as was reported shifting them will be fun! The engines are Proteus, and were originally a Bristol design(hence the mythological name rather than a UK river); RR bought Bristol aeroengines in the 1960s. They aren't rare by aeroengine standards, fitted to the Bristol Brittannia, various RN fast patrol boats, large numbers of Vosper Thornycroft patrol boats, the SRN4s and a whole load of standby electricity generators.

Haydon-Baillie purchased ALL remaining Bristol marine Proteus spares up around 17 years ago.

I was looking at restoring Vosper designed parol boat a few years ago, owner turned out to be a Dutch robdog and Haydon-Baillie wanted gerzillions for Proteus parts.