The de Havilland Goblin, originally the Halford H-1, was an early turbojet engine designed by Frank Halford. He had a long history of engine design, from the de Havilland Gipsy air-cooled piston engine to the 3,500 hp Napier engines. The Goblin was the second British jet engine to fly, powering the first flights of the Gloster Meteor in March 1943, and the de Havilland Vampire in September 1943.
The engine was based on the design pioneered by Frank Whittle, using a centrifugal compressor providing compressed air to sixteen individual flame cans, from which the exhaust powered a single-stage axial turbine. The straight airflow through the engine compared to Whittle’s design made the engine simpler, although slightly longer.
The initial version of the Goblin engine for use in the de Havilland Vampire gave only 2,100 lbs of thrust, but this compared well with the Whittle engine. As development continued, later engines increased in power culminating in the De Havilland Goblin 4, with 3,750 lbs thrust. While it had been designed with the de Havilland Vampire in mind, the Goblin engine went on to be used by other aircraft, with a total of 4,400 units being produced.
In July 1943, one of the two H-1s then available was sent to the United States, where it was selected to become the primary engine of the Lockheed F-80. This engine was fitted to the prototype that first flew in January 1944. Because of production difficulties this engine was not used for the F-80. The Goblin also powered the Saab 21R, Fiat G.80 and de Havilland Swallow.
The Museum's de Havilland Vampire on display in the Courtyard was powered by this engine. A cutaway version of this engine is on display inside the hangar showing the internal workings of the engine.
This engine is a contemporary of the Rolls-Royce Derwent also on display at the Museum.
Technical Details: (DH Goblin 2)
Engine Type: centrifugal compressor turbojet
Thrust: 3,100 lb thrust (14.05 kN) at 10,200 rpm
Compressor: Centrifugal, single sided impeller
Combustors: 16
Turbine: Single-stage axial flow
Dimensions: Length: 107 in (271.8 cm), Diameter: 50 in (127 cm)
Dry weight: 1,550 lb (703 kg)
Overall pressure ratio: 3.3:1
Fuel consumption: 3,720 lb/hr (1,687 kg/hr)