HP Victor Question

Thanks papa lima.
So it was normal for them to be in the open position while on the ground both before takeoff and after landing?

Victor ram-air scoops

Here are the ram scoops, picture scanned from page 53 of “Postwar Military Aircraft:6 – Handley Page Victor” by Andrew Brookes.

They are the scoops for the ram air turbine. These scoops open automatically if any two adjacent engines fall below 52% rpm. They feed air into two Rotax ram air turbines which provide enough power above 25,000 ft to keep essential powered flying controls operating while the bomber descends to less rarefied air. There the Artouste could be started by the AEO to take over essential services until the engines were relit and the main alternators brought on line.
Further to my first post, the Artouste apu could also be used for engine starting where external power was not available as well as providing emergency power below 25,000 ft.

Thanks Papa Lima.
I Have often wondered what this intake was for as well.
Keeping with the thread topic, What are the two intakes that stick up on the spine near the base of the vertical tail? Sory no pic…!

It does look rather ‘draggy’ to be open in flight doesn’t it? (The aircraft was preforming a flyby, rather than taking off or landing)

Unmolested copy attached, looks a bit better without my graffiti on it doesn’t it? 🙂

Of course, the question still remains (and I’m not qualified to answer it) why is it open and is this standard operating procedure?
Love your photos by the way, since I was working in the control tower at Cottesmore in 1962 where XV Sqn was based with Victor B1s, I have always had a proprietorial interest in them.
BTW, can you please post a link to your original picture at the head of this thread? I would very much like to download a “clean” copy for my collection.

…..especially when someone goes to the trouble of finding the correct cutaway and posting it, very kind of you.

Just noticed the intake is open on XH672 ‘Maid Marian’ too, strange I’ve been looking at Victors for years and never noticed it – should be more observant I guess!! 😮

It’s item 89 on this cutaway picture, part of the full cutaway at the back of “Modern Combat Aircraft 11 – V-Bombers” by Robert Jackson.

Ah I see, thanks Papa Lima much appreciated. 🙂 Who needs reference books when this forums here!

This is the retractable intake to the Blackburn Artouste auxiliary power unit driving the emergency alternator and also providing cooling air to the alternator.