Rolls-Royce Marine Spey SM1C Power Module

This large wooden structure is a full scale "mock-up" of the Marine Spey SMIC propulsion unit, used at Rolls-Royce, Ansty, to finalise pipe runs, wiring schemes, component siting, etc., prior to production. An exhibit in its own right as an example of patternmaking, it is a dimensional replica of what would be the starboard unit in the two-Spey engine room of, for example, a Type 22 frigate of the Royal Navy and gives an accurate representation of its layout. Its final use at Ansty, however was to facilitate its projected installation in a large hydrofoil ferry for Sweden.

The SM range originated in a M.O.D.-funded design study in 1972 for an engine of a size between the Olympus TM and the Tyne RM, although at that time no application existed. Development started in 1977 and the engine selected was the Allison TF4IA licence-built Rolls Royce Spey as being the latest uprated Spey available, used in the Vought A7E Corsair strike aircraft of the United States Navy. In addi¬tion to being marinised the main modification was the cropping of the fan section of the LP compressor and redesign of the casing. An en¬tirely new control system was also developed by Lucas. Depending on the application, power ranges from 14,750 BHP (11 Mw) of the SM1A to 20,800 BHP (15.5 Mw) of the SMIC and could be further uprated. Its specific fuel consumption is almost half that of its predecessors. The first two SMIA production units, built and tested at Ansty, were installed in HMS Brave "type 22 frigate in 1983 in place of the originally specified Olympus TM3B. The Marine Spey was installed in 21 frigates of the Royal Navy combining with Tyne RM3C (Type 22) or diesel electric (Type 23). It was also be used in 8 frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy and in 12 destroyers end 6 frigates of the Maritime Self-Defence Force of Japan. In the Asagiri class of destroyer, the Japanese reverted to the original concept of the Spey providing all the propulsion power, in this case 4xSMIA. However, in common with most of its overseas defence procurement, Japan manufactured under licence the Spey SM series and other Rolls-Royce machinery.