Rolls-Royce Meteorite

The Rolls-Royce Meteorite was a British V8 petrol or diesel engine of 18.01 litres (1,099 cu in) capacity, and was derived from the Rolls-Royce Meteor,[1] which was itself based on the Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engine. The Meteorite was, in essence, 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.

Rolls-Royce Meteorite
Meteоrite-powered Antar Mk2 tractor and DAF trailer with Meteor-powered Centurion tank load
Overview
ManufacturerRolls-Royce Limited
Layout
ConfigurationV-8
Displacement18.01 litres (1,099 cu in)
Output
Power outputMark 204: 260 bhp @ 2300 rpm

It powered the Thornycroft Antar or Mighty Antar tank transporter and was used to transport two types of Meteor-engined tanks, the Centurion and Conqueror (and also carried the later Chieftain). It was also used in two prototype vehicles, the Leyland 40-Ton Centurion, and the TV1000 experimental six-wheeled vehicle. This association with the defence ministry lasted 21 years to 1964 and was centred at the Acocks Green "shadow factory" near Birmingham[2]

See also

References
  1. Evans; McWilliams; Whitworth; Birch (2004). The Rolls Royce Meteor. Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust. pp. 126–140. ISBN 1-872922-24-4.
  2. Graham Robson (1977). The Rover Story. Cambridge: Patrick Stephens (PSL). p. 51. ISBN 0-85059-279-8.


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