Warbirds Online has recently visited the restoration site of several Bristol Hercules engines which will eventually power the Australian Beaufighter project under long term rebuild to airworthy condition at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) facility at Albion Park NSW.
The rebuilding of a Beaufighter is a very complex task and although the project based at the HARS facility has been under restoration for many years, it has not been until now that the time and resources have been available to accelerate progress on the project. There is only one other airworthy rebuild of a Beaufighter being undertaken anywhere else in the world, that being done at the Fighter Collection at Duxford in the UK.
One critical aspect of any Beaufighter restoration is the matter of locating of suitable engines and propellers. Postwar, the Beaufighter was removed from service in a fairly rapid manner along with most other aircraft which utilized the earlier series of Bristol Hercules power plants. This rapid scrapping of aircraft and engines has created a shortage of these engines, and more importantly the almost total absence of suitable propellers and propeller hubs. New technology has now allowed propellers and hubs to be manufactured from new and it is proposed to go down this path rather than continue to source original components.
The engines are being restored by Peter Brooke at Historical Aircraft Engines in Brisbane Queensland. There were 5 of these fantastic sleeve valve radials in evidence in the workshop on the day of my visit. Most of the engines are of the earlier wartime type of Hercules power plants. Post war the engine was built in upgraded versions which are not suitable for fitting to a Beaufighter but thankfully there are enough of the earlier engines on hand to construct suitable units for the Beaufighter project. At the time of my visit one engine had already been stripped and the complexity of the sleeve valve arrangement was plain to see – more like a complex clock movement than an internal combustion engine.
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- Engine front view
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- Engine side view
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- Engine rear view
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- Engine sleeve valves
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- Engine crankcase
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- Engine components
Of particular note was the unique nature of the all-important sleeve valves which are impossible to source and very difficult to replicate. Again, hopefully there are sufficient items in stock to allow the completion of the project.
The plan is to strip down the other engines and assess each one to determine its serviceability. From there the rebuilds will follow the usual practice of cleaning, machining, refurbishment of serviceable components and replacement or manufacture missing parts. Once the engines are rebuilt they will undergo a full testing program prior to being installed in the Beaufighter.
Sleeve valve engines have a poor reputation for reliability and durability. However this is largely not justified and as Peter Brooke said on the day “they are like any engine, if well designed and built they are as reliable as any”. The sleeve valve design was also derided as a result of the Napier Sabre inline engine which was certainly not a highly regarded engine. Throughout World War II the Bristol Hercules engine provided excellent service in a large variety of aircraft.
Peter and Historical Aircraft Engines have a long term enviable reputation for the excellent work they do on the refurbishment of radial engines. Although the work on the Hercules is complex Peter is confident that within a couple of years the refurbishment of the engines will be completed successfully and that they will prove to be reliable and long term performers.
Warbirds Online will be following this fantastic project and at regular intervals will report on the progress of the restoration.
We wish to thank Peter Brooke and Historical Aircraft Engines for their help in allowing us to report on this fantastic project. There can’t be a single Warbird enthusiast who can’t wait to see a Beaufighter fly again in Australia.
© John Parker 2014
The most exciting article you’ve wirtten, John. A Warbirds Online exclusive I would have thought. Well done, Scoop!
Thanks Andy
We are very grateful that we are able to share news such as this with Warbird enthusiasts. A lot of great work is being done to restore many types of historic aircraft and it’s good to recognize the effort of those involved.
kind regards
John
I saw one of these being pulled apart at Oaky Army air Base Museum around 10 years ago.
Hi Len
Thanks for sharing this interesting news.
kind regards
John
Really interesting article John. Sleeve valve engines actually have fewer moving parts than poppet valve engines, and as you say their reliability has been unfairly maligned.
Hi Derek.
Thank you for your feedback and the comments about the engines. We are really looking forward to providing more details about the restoration work as it progresses.
kind regards
John
Hi John,
This is indeed really great news given the scarcity of the correct Hercules engines for the Beaufighter. This article wets our appetite now to get some updated details on the airframe restoration that Peter’s restored engines are going to power.
Kind regards,
Rob
Hi Rob
Thank you for your comments. We look forward to providing further updates on this great restoration. Stay tuned..
kind regards
John
Post-war Hercules engines achieved a world record for piston engines of 3000hrs between overhauls, largely attributed to the sleeve valves.
Hi Ralph,
Thanks for sharing the information about the Hercules engines. They certainly are a work-horse!
Kind regards
John
I am truly excited at the news of the engines being restored, its time for the aviation world to see and hear one of these truly astounding aircraft in the air again.
Good Luck
Hi Ray
Yes we agree. We will continue to report on these engines and it will be great to hear them operating in the air again where they belong.
Kind regards
John
Great work going on here, these types have been troublesome but it seems persistence is winning, I do hope one is flying while a few of the pilots who used them are around. Thanks restorers for your tenacity, I live near Exeter and the Poles who flew them “the night owls” were the cities only defence and almost forgotten until recently 307 squadron I think. Bravo.
Hi John
Yes the restoration work is continuing and the results are paying off. Thanks for getting in touch.
kind regards
John
My father flew Beaufighters during the last World War. So you can see why I am excited that an example of the aircraft will take to the air once again.
Regards
Peter
Hi Peter
Yes we share your excitement.
Kind regards
John
My Late Uncle Group Captain Brian (Blackjack) Walker would wish you all more power as he had great respect for the “Beau” and those magnificent Bristol engines. The power of those Engines that helped prevent Japan from reinforcing its troops in New Guinea and then driving down into Australia.
Hi William
Thanks for letting us know about your Uncle. These type of stories make the restorations more important for the restorers and very “real”. Thanks again for letting us know.
Kind regards
John
Hi, is there any update on this project yet? Wonder if the fighter collection’s example will benefit from the engine work here?!!! (fingers definitely well and truly crossed!!)
Chris
Hi Chris
Work is still progressing on the Bristol Hercules restorations. However there is nothing significant to report. We will publish more as it comes to hand. We imagine the work will assist the fighter collection aircraft.
Kind regards
John
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many
thanks, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS.
I don’t understand the reason why I can’t join it.
Is there anybody else getting similar RSS problems?
Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanx!!
Hi Lenora
Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry to hear about the problem with the RSS feed. It is likely the browser that is causing the problem – there is currently a known problem with Internet Explorer and subscribing to RSS feeds – there are number of steps you can take to resolve this problem via the solution outlined on the Microsoft website. With the Chrome browser you will need to add the RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) from the Chrome store and a number of steps. However to make life easier if you use Firefox you can subscribe to it and it will show as a bookmark without any problems – it seems to work well.
kind regards
John
It is now 2021, is there any more news about the restoration of the engines and in the Beaufighter project as a whole. As each year goes by the number of survivors reduces. It would be wonderful if a Beaufighter could fly whilst a few of these intrepid crews remain. My own father flew Beau’s in 603 squadron and he loved the aircraft. I also had the privilege of meeting his Squadron Leader who remembered Dad. So please let us know how things are progressing.
Hi Peter
The engine restorations are still proceeding and will take a few years to complete. Due to COVID and border restrictions in Australia over the past 2 years, it has been difficult to travel from our location to the Engine restoration facility. Rest assured we will report on when we can.
Kind regards
John
Pity it wasn’t the same Hercules used inthe Bristol Frieghters operated by Airexpress at Archerfield in the 60/70s. I remember sending a industrial shedfull of factory pact parts to the dump after the shed went under water in the 74 flood. Kept a few pistons tho for souvenirs, still in my shed somewhere.
Also I remember working with Peter Brooke building a Bristol Fighter replica for the film ‘ A thousand skies’.He may remember me , but maybe not.
Hi Syd
Funnily enough some of the Hercules parts from the later series engines have a role to play in the rebuild of the Beaufighter engines and are being used in these rebuilds, I am sure Peter would remember you he has a fantastic memory – I shame all the Hercules parts went to the tip but it’s a common story from those days – thanks for your comments they are appreciated.
Kind regards
John