What would have seriously focussed minds on this project would have been if the Typhoon had been cancelled along with the Tornado in mid-1941. Even then, I can only see it happening with Peregrines producing their original design output of 1000hp instead of de-rated to 885hp – which is pretty much what Petter proposed in mid-1940 – and some other ‘easy’ wins, vis.
High-efficiency radiators – they were available and would have fitted the existing space with minimal modification (And arguably should have been done, anyway!)
Chattellerault cannon feed – available for the last few Mk I Whirlwinds but not fitted
Internal strengthening of the wing to mount 500lb bombs or, potentially, drop-tanks (The Whirlibomber was first proposed in September 41 by S/Ldr Pugh, but only implemented nearly a year later)
More problematic but probably necessary works would have been reversion of the Exactors to mechanical controls. Like so much of the Whirly, a great idea in theory that never quite worked out that way.
And then there’s the heavily design- and production-intensive stuff;
Redesigned blowers – this is an interesting one because the original intention would have been to improve altitude performance, whereas it turned out that the envisaged ever-greated combat heights never really eventuated. Also, they would probably be restricted by not lengthening the engine overall
Rotol props – although this would have required a unique hub design (Or a redesigned output shaft from the reduction gear?)
The uprated Peregrine was very likely possible – but only after the redesign of the 3-way oil union to the supercharger and camshaft bearings in late Feb 42. I have it in mind that at some point after this a test engine was uprated and run at full noise without issues although it was decided that there was no benefit it modifying the few remaining airframes, but I can’t remember where I saw this (have I imagined it?!). It would almost certainly require the new rads, so yet more effort required.
The question always comes back to resource, even for the ‘easy’ parts. Rolls didn’t have it. Even Westlands didn’t really have it, as by 1940 it was raining Spitfires and Lysanders. The Yanks *may* have had it (hence the suggestion of Packard-built Peregrines?) but considering the time required to transfer the design, jigs, and production, then test, manufacture, and ship an American-built engine, when would it actually have arrived? All for a relatively small number of aircraft which would then require a logistics train to support it and dedicated maintenance facilities and fitters/riggers…
(Also veering wildly off-topic; to go back to my opening sentance, had Rolls invested sufficient development time into the Peregrine, would we now be talking about the awesome striking power of the Tornado on the march across Europe rather than the small footnote in history that was the Typhoon?!)
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