Rolls-Royce Meteorite
Encyclopedia
The Rolls-Royce Meteorite, also known as the Rover Meteorite was a V8
petrol or diesel engine of 18.01 litres (1,098 cu in) capacity, and was derived from the Rolls-Royce Meteor
. In essence it was two-thirds of a V12
Meteor, and it shared the Meteor's 60° vee angle. Meteorites were built for vehicles, for marine use and as stationary power units.
It powered the Thornycroft Antar
or Mighty Antar Tank Transporter, so was used to transport Meteor-engined tanks, the Centurion
and Conqueror
(and later the non-Meteor Chieftain
). This association with the defence ministry lasted 21 years to 1964, and was centred at the Acocks Green
"shadow factory" near Birmingham
.
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
petrol or diesel engine of 18.01 litres (1,098 cu in) capacity, and was derived from the Rolls-Royce Meteor
Rolls-Royce Meteor
The Rolls-Royce Meteor was a British tank engine of the Second World War.It was developed from the Rolls-Royce Merlin aero-engine by W. A. Robotham and his chassis design and development division at Belper, as they were not involved in aero-engine work...
. In essence it was two-thirds of a V12
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....
Meteor, and it shared the Meteor's 60° vee angle. Meteorites were built for vehicles, for marine use and as stationary power units.
It powered the Thornycroft Antar
Thornycroft Antar
The Mighty Antar was a heavy-duty tractor unit built by Thornycroft from the 1940s onwards. For some decades it was the standard tank transporter of the British Army and was also used by other nations.- History :- Origins :...
or Mighty Antar Tank Transporter, so was used to transport Meteor-engined tanks, the Centurion
Centurion tank
The Centurion, introduced in 1945, was the primary British main battle tank of the post-World War II period. It was a successful tank design, with upgrades, for many decades...
and Conqueror
Conqueror tank
The FV 214 Conqueror, also known as "Tank, Heavy No. 1, 120 mm Gun, Conqueror" was a British heavy tank of the post-war era. It was developed as a response to the Soviet Joseph Stalin IS-3 heavy tanks and carried a larger 120 mm gun compared to the 20-pounder gun carried by its peer the...
(and later the non-Meteor Chieftain
Chieftain tank
The FV 4201 Chieftain was the main battle tank of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s. It was one of the most advanced tanks of its era, and at the time of its introduction in 1966 had the most powerful main gun and heaviest armour of any tank in the world...
). This association with the defence ministry lasted 21 years to 1964, and was centred at the Acocks Green
Acocks Green
Acocks Green is an area and ward of south Birmingham, England. It is named after the Acock family who built a large house in the area in 1370. Acocks Green is one of the four wards making up Yardley formal district...
"shadow factory" near Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
.
External links
- http://www.rrec.org.uk/History/Clan_Foundry_Belper.php