Description: Framed picture 1960 Proteus Bluebird by Piet Olyslager, 1963 "BLUEBIRD" is unique in many ways, not least in being the first car designed for a world land speed record attempt to use a gas turbine engine. The unit is a Bristol Siddeley Proteus 755, known to engineers as a free turbine but often called a "turbo-prop". Proteus drives all four wheels of "Bluebird" and at full throttle delivers 4,250 horse power. There is no clutch and a fixed gear ratio, providing two-pedal control. Like all turbines it turns over much faster than a piston engine, delivering maximum power at 11,000 rpm. The car is 30 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 4 feet 9 inches high without its removable fin. With the fin in place it is 7 feet 8 inches high. It weighs 9,600 lb ready to run, and has a front track of 5 feet 6½ inches and a rear track of 5 feet 6 inches. This four ton monster burns fuel - aviation turbine kerosine - at the rate of about 1½ miles per gallon at full speed, which should be about 500 mph. if full throttle can be used. On Donald Campbell's record attempt at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, in 1960, "Bluebird" accelerated from a standstill to nearly 400 mph. over 1½ miles in 24 seconds. Less than 80 per cent of full power was then being used. The Proteus engine used in "Bluebird" is of the same type used to propel the Royal Navy's "Brave" class fast patrol boats. Like all gas turbines of this type it delivers high power for its bulk and weight, being 8 feet 0½ inches long and 40 inches in diameter, and weighing about 3000 lb. It requires no cooling system, and no clutch because it uses the equivalent of a fluid torque converter. The output shaft is coupled permanently and directly to bevel gears in front and rear axles. The engine turbine provides no engine braking on the over-run at low speeds, but at 400 mph. about 500 h.p. would be available for braking if the throttle were closed. Two braking systems provide the stopping power - air flaps opening out from the rear of the vehicle and power operated Girling disc brakes on all four wheels; the discs run at a maximum temperature of 2,200 degrees F., almost white hot. "Bluebird's" complex cockpit instrumentation is reflected onto the windscreen and focused onto the horizon ahead so that the driver can see the course and his instrument readings simultaneously. Smart picture framed in a 25 x 20 cm. (10 x 8 inch) size clipframe. The picture offered does NOT have the "SAMPLE" watermark!!Powered by WonderLister Desktop App
Price: 12 GBP
Location: Croydon, Surrey
End Time: 2024-12-09T20:01:20.000Z
Shipping Cost: 10.1 GBP
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Return postage will be paid by: Buyer
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
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Motor Sport Type: Land Speed Record
Period: 1960s
Sport: Motor Sport
Type: Framed Picture
