Napier Sabre IIA Supercharger

[Alloy]

Hello everyone,

I'm as green as they get on the forum, but very pleased to have found it

We are rebuilding Hawker Typhoon JP843 to airworthy status, and slowing picking away at the mighty Sabre while working on the airframe. I've seen the Napier Sabre topic appear several times here, and thought that there may be some interest in images from the disassembly of our Sabre IIA supercharger.

[ArmyMP]

Re: Napier Sabre IIA Supercharger

Always has and will be one of my favorites. Looks like you all still have a long road ahead of you. Is this the temperamental model of the Napier or the newer one? I know there were alot of problems with fires in those engines. What substitute do you all have in mind just in case? Parts? Like Paul Allen's Sturmovic, he hab the boys in Russia put a left hand Allison on it.

Keep bending away and hope to see her fly someday!

[Alloy]

Re: Napier Sabre IIA Supercharger

Always has and will be one of my favorites. Looks like you all still have a long road ahead of you. Is this the temperamental model of the Napier or the newer one? I know there were alot of problems with fires in those engines. What substitute do you all have in mind just in case? Parts? Like Paul Allen's Sturmovic, he hab the boys in Russia put a left hand Allison on it.

Keep bending away and hope to see her fly someday!

Hi John,

We're pushing for airworthiness within 20 years, a big part of this is due to the engine. Our engine is what would be considered an early variant, but one which saw service through to the end of the war in Typhoons and Tempests. There were many modifications implemented, but the sleeve issues were solved before this variant was produced. Our goal is to see the aircraft fly behind a Sabre; we do have a contingency plan which would involve fitting a RR Griffon should the airframe be ready long before a Sabre is viable, but this would just be an interim solution and work would continue on the Sabre.

[IcePaq]

Re: Napier Sabre IIA Supercharger

Awseome Pics!!!

Love the damage/wear on the dogs that shows someone used it hard.

The paul garber restoration facility has quite a bit on napier engines but my contacts died long ago.

Kermit Weeks has one.......or two.......or 4.

[FuryFan]

Re: Napier Sabre IIA Supercharger

Why is the gear case shown so corroded? Looks like it spent some time submerged in water, even the studs are badly corroded. Those engines are beautifully complex. Good luck.

Kevin

[Alloy]

Re: Napier Sabre IIA Supercharger

Why is the gear case shown so corroded? Looks like it spent some time submerged in water, even the studs are badly corroded. Those engines are beautifully complex. Good luck.

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

The supercharger as well as the the upper/lower accessory cases are magnesium, few of these have survived given that most engines that are around (ours included), are crash recovered. The housing we have, were (from our understanding) all from the same engine which was buried in mud, and in a salt water environment. How they managed to survive in those conditions is anyone's guess, but we are very pleased to have them!

Our Sabre was in similar circumstances having been recovered from salt water, but buried in mud which prevented significant corrosion. While there are still issues with it from air pockets, crash damage etc., a great deal of the engine is in amazing condition (so much so, that the original paint and stencilling is still clearly visible). This engine will never fly again, but there is enough there to combine with our data and reverse engineer new parts. Dedication, time and money... that's all

Ian

[Alloy]

Re: Napier Sabre IIA Supercharger

Here are a few links for anyone looking for some more images that show what we're dealing with:

Typhoon JP843 Website

Typhoon JP843 Facebook Page

Ian

[FuryFan]

Re: Napier Sabre IIA Supercharger

Thanks for the response Ian.

Kevin