Gordon Lewis (engineer)
Gordon Manns Lewis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Cheltenham, England |
| Died | October 4, 2010 (aged 86) Bristol, England |
| Occupation | Aeronautical engineer |
| Known for | Development of turbine engines, Olympus engine, Pegasus engine, Turbo-Union RB199 engine |
Gordon Manns Lewis (24 June 1924 – 4 October 2010) was a distinguished British aeronautical engineer recognized for his significant impact on the development of turbine engines.
Early life
Lewis was born in Cheltenham in 1924 to a father employed as a railway clerk. He secured a scholarship to Pembroke College, Oxford, where he completed a degree in Engineering Science in 1944.
Bristol Engines
In 1944, Lewis commenced his career at the Bristol Aeroplane Company, initially focusing on stress analysis for the Theseus engine. By 1946, he had assumed leadership of the design team for the Olympus engine, which successfully passed its inaugural test without any issues, a testament to his meticulous methodology. The Olympus engine powered prominent aircraft such as the Avro Vulcan, TSR-2, and Concorde.
He directed advancements in compressor technology, pushing forward the development of transonic compressors ahead of comparable American efforts. His investigations extended to two-spool engine configurations featuring contra-rotating spools, as well as concepts for hypersonic propulsion. In 1956, Lewis enhanced Michel Wibault’s design for a vectored-thrust vertical takeoff fighter by streamlining and reducing weight through the use of axial compressors and swiveling nozzles, culminating in the BE53/2 model—later known as the Pegasus. Both Wibault and Lewis are credited as inventors on the key patents for this engine. The Pegasus powered aircraft including the Hawker P.1127, Kestrel, Harrier, and Harrier II, and it continued to serve with the US Marine Corps.
Rolls-Royce
Lewis held the position of Managing Director at Turbo-Union, where he guided the creation of the Turbo-Union RB199 engine used by the Panavia Tornado. Over a span of forty years, he secured numerous patents and maintained a prominent role in advancing turbine engine technology well into the 21st century.
Personal life
He died in Bristol on 4 October 2010.