Aerospace Through The Ages

From the Merlin Engine to the Merlin Helicopter!

Teddington Engineered Solutions has its origins in aviation, as it was founded as the British Thermostat Group in Teddington, London, in 1927, and manufactured brass and copper bellows for control instruments. Ever since, Teddington has been there in every major step taken in the world of aviation and aerospace, in projects from the Merlin Engine to the Merlin Helicopter.

Spitfires, Hurricanes & Lancasters via the Merlin Engine

During the Second World War, the company was approached to manufacture bellows for the exhaust system for the Merlin Engine throughout the 1930s-40s. This was the engine as used in the legendary combat aircrafts, the Supermarine Spitfire, the Hawker Hurricane and the Lancaster Bomber. These planes defended our island in the Battle of Britain and bought time for the liberation of Europe. Teddington’s involvement in the production of this engine is one of our proudest achievements.

Comet

The de Havilland Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner. It marked a significant milestone in aviation history by introducing jet-powered flight to passenger air travel. The Comet featured a sleek design with four turbojet engines mounted in the wings. It had a pressurized cabin, which allowed it to fly at higher altitudes, providing a smoother ride and reducing travel time. Despite its early troubles, the redesigned Comet 4 became a reliable aircraft, and its innovations paved the way for future jet airliners. After debuting in 1952, Production ended in 1964, with later models like the Comet 4 serving into the early 1980s.

Teddington supplied the pressure switch bellows assembly - the apparatus with which the pilot can measure pressure changes in either atmosphere or fuel gauge.

Concorde

The Concorde was a joint British-French supersonic passenger airliner, known for its high speed and distinctive design, which was one of only two supersonic transports to enter commercial service (the other being the Soviet Tu-144). Concorde could fly at speeds of up to Mach 2.04 (approximately 1,354 mph or 2,180 km/h) more than twice the speed of sound, flew primarily transatlantic flights, such as between London and New York, in record times, and was an icon of luxury air travel known for its speed and the prestige of flying on a supersonic aircraft. Concorde remains an iconic symbol of aviation history and technological achievement, celebrated for its speed, design and the groundbreaking nature of supersonic passenger travel.

Teddington supplied 50NB gimbal assemblies for incorporation from 1969 onwards.

Tornado

The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, fixed-wing fighter-bomber aircraft developed by the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, and is used in the Royal Air Force (RAF), the Luftwaffe and the Italian Air Force. The Tornado features a variable-sweep wing, allowing it to operate effectively at both high and low speeds, and is equipped with advanced avionics and electronic warfare systems, making it adaptable to various combat situations. It is renowned for its versatility and has been used in various roles, including air superiority, interdiction and reconnaissance, and has seen extensive service in various conflicts, including the Gulf War, the Kosovo War and operations in Afghanistan and Libya, proving to be a reliable and adaptable aircraft in multiple combat scenarios.

Teddington has supplied the single and double bellows assembly for use on environment control systems. The environmental control system (ECS) of an aircraft is an essential component which provides air supply, thermal control and cabin pressurization for the crew (and additional functions include the cooling of avionics, smoke detection and fire suppression).

Harrier

The Hawker Siddeley Harrier is a family of jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL). It was the first operational close-support and reconnaissance fighter aircraft with these capabilities. The Harrier is renowned for its V/STOL capabilities, achieved through thrust vectoring nozzles. It has a single engine and a compact design, making it suitable for operations from improvised bases and aircraft carriers. The Harrier has been used in various conflicts, including the Falklands War, where its V/STOL capabilities proved invaluable, particularly in the Royal Navy fleet against Exocet anti-ship missiles. It has also seen action in the Gulf War and operations in Afghanistan.

Teddington supplied the centre fuselage duct bellows - the fuselage being the central body of the aircraft in which the crew are located, usually a cylindrical vessel which typically expands as altitude is gained - to handle these pressure changes and significant expansion, high-quality expansion joints are needed.

Merlin Helicopter

The AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin is a medium-lift helicopter used for both military and civilian applications. It is known for its versatility, advanced avionics and multi-role capabilities. It is powered by three turboshaft engines, providing excellent performance and reliability. The Merlin has been deployed in various military operations, including peacekeeping missions and combat support roles, and even sea rescue operations. It is valued for its range, payload capacity and versatility. The AW101 remains in active service with several military forces and civilian operators worldwide. Its advanced capabilities and multi-role design ensure its continued use in diverse operational environments.

Teddington produced bellows manufactured in Titanium 115 for use on the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and the engine bay ducts – only the highest quality and lightest weight materials are expected for the most significant components of such importance vehicles.

Conclusion

From the Merlin Engine to the Merlin Helicopter, Teddington has been producing only the best bellows for the best aircraft for a century, and we intend to continue to do so for the next century as well. There is a reason experts in aerospace choose Teddington.