To Speedy, re-engining something like a Venom with its centrifugal flow turbojet to a more modern axial flow engine such as say a J-85 or CJ610 (i am aware of the lower thrust output between these and the Ghost, just used as an example) would be a massive engineering undertaking at best, to say nothing of the difficulties in getting such extensive mods approved by the relevant aviation authority.
To the kind of people who restore and maintain classic warbirds or design new aircraft, it’s not an overwhelming job. It’s another engineering job. Sure… the certification issues would just about rule it out in UK/Europe. If it was done it’s likely to happen in USA.
I was thinking more of using an engine like the Williams J44 . A centrifugal engine like the Ghost/Nene/Goblin is very large for it’s thrust, and leaves a big space to design in an adaptor for mounting the engine. I suspect there might be problems with the intake geometry, and then the tail pipe would need work. J44 is already retrofitted in the Saab 105 (ex J85)
Less thrust than the original would be compensated by the weight saving. The J44 is about 1/3 of the weight of a Ghost, and the lower fuel consumption would require less fuel to be carried. The weight saving is also the killer, though (at least in a Venom)…. The Ghost looks like it is aft of the aircraft C of G. A much lighter engine would make a Venom nose heavy.
In this case it’s probably a non-runner, but I don’t think the idea of turbofan conversions for some classic jets should be ruled out quite so easily.
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