DH goblin

The prototype XP-80 had a pre-production Goblin (shipped over from the UK) installed and powered up on November 17, 1943. On its second run on the 18th, the intake ducts collapsed and cracked the impeller so the engine was too badly damaged to run further, so it was sent back to the UK. A replacement Goblin arrived and was static tested in the aircraft on December 30. It was used for the first flight on January 8, 1944 and subsequent flights, being replaced by a more powerful new H-1 engine in May 1944 which was also used for flight tests in the prototype. This aircraft continued to be used for testing with a Goblin until the end of its military service on June 10, 1946.
(Summary of information on pages 20-22 of “Lockheed’s Skunk Works – The First 50 years” by Jay Miller.)

It looks as if Halton – who I think designed the Goblin…

Major Frank Halford

AFAIK there was a trial installation of a Goblin in a P-80 jet….

Martin

Thanks

Thanks very much for all your comments except for Lord Ullswater. It looks as if Halton – who I think designed the Goblin asked for the engine back from Malcolm Campbell because he wasn’t happy with him using it!

I think in the process of polishing it I have rubbed off what was left of the chrome and gone through to the brass – I suppose it is possible to get things re-chromed.

I have since discovered this picture showing a similar plate mounted in position.

Isn’t this a standard DeHavilland Engine company ‘logo plate’?

I had one of these that said ‘DH Spectre’ , I gave it to Newark Air Museum over thirty years ago. I wonder if it is still there. I picked it up as a schoolboy and we lived in the DH catchment area for employment.

From memory it would have been just the centre piece of the above illustration. It was chromed brass, from memory, with the words, I would think, chemically etched deep into the material leaving a recessed brass finish, possibly to be filled with paint later.

Mark

In 1945 Malcolm Campbell tried to re-engine the Bluebird K4 (boat) with the Goblin. I’m not sure why, but it didn’t work.

The only turbine powered cars were the Proteus Bluebirds which ran in 1960 and 1964. The firstcar was very badly damaged in a 300 mph crash in Utah and a replacement was then built (this time with a tail fin).

I had always thought that Donald Campbell’s jet boat Bluebirds were fitted with the Metrovick Beryl jet engine and later the Bristol Siddeley Orpheus. I think his father planned to make an attempt on the water speed record in 1947/48 with a De Havilland powered jet boat and that might be where the Goblin comes into the story.

Bluebird CN7 (the Car)

The 1950’s/60’s Bluebird Car was powered by a Bristol Proteus Turbine engine which was connected to the wheels with a gearbox at the front and another at the rear. The jet pipe then split into 4 and two came out on the top of the car and 2 underneath. The engine area of the car is in very good condition and also is very original with the original fire extinguisher fitted in 1958(9?). I know all this as I spent a weekend this spring working on the upkeep of the interior areas of the car which is quite a task.
Also in the end when the boat K7 crashed killing campbell it was fitted with an Bristol orphues engine.
The earlier cars of Malcome campbell were powered by Napier Lions, Rolls Royce R’s but The First Bluebird/Sunbeam had a 350hp airship engine I’m afraid I could not tell you the make as I’m at uni and my info from work is at home.
Sorry to go off on one just thought that this may intrest some of you?
But this is all to say that it is deffinatly not form Donald Cambell’s Bluebird CN7.

I’ve never heard of any of the Bluebirds being powered by a Goblin – seems unlikely. It would have to have been a boat as the cars were wheel-driven, Proteus I think on the last one.
Prototype Meteor (F9/40?) was powered by the Halford H.1 which became the Goblin, other than that I believe it’s only the Vampire.
Vague memories – XP59?