Pratt & Whitney R4360 Radial Engine

[mdsalemi]

One of my aviation enthusiast friends sent me the following...since we have offered and discussed engines such as the Rolls-Royce and Packard Merlins, which powered both British and American fighter planes in WWII, this might be of interest to those who love mechanical complexity, warbirds and the like.

Below, you will find a great test stand video of the Pratt & Whitney 4360 Wasp engine introduced in 1944. Basically, the engine was 28-cylinder four-row air cooled radial engine, and was the largest piston-engine radial ever produced. Each row of pistons was slightly offset from the previous, forming a semi-helical arrangement to facilitate efficient airflow cooling of the successive rows of cylinders, with the spiraled cylinder setup inspiring the engine's "corncob" nickname. A mechanical supercharger geared at 6.374:1 ratio to engine speed provided forced induction, while the propeller was geared at 0.375:1 so that the tips did not reach inefficient supersonic speeds. Initially, it developed 3,000 horsepower, later models gave 3,500 horsepower.

The 4360 powered the B-50, successor to the B-29 and later the B-36, to name a few. And although reliable in flight, the Wasp Major was know to be very maintenance-intensive. Improper starting technique could foul all 56 spark plugs which would require hours to clean or replace. As with most piston aircraft engines of the era, the time between overhauls of the Wasp Major was about 600 hours when used in commercial service. Why am I sending this to you? Because it looks and sounds neat. That's all.

Just a test stand video of a newly restored engine. Turn up your speakers. Bask in the roar of twenty-eight cylinders belching the sound of freedom. Be advised, however, that the sound will most likely clear out the cat, your wife and any other extemporaneous people not accustomed to military sounds and the glorious roar of a Pratt & Whitney "round" engine.

As Warbird folks say, "Jets are for kids." And, no, it can't be mounted on a Stearman.

Click the link below: Pratt & Whitney R-4360-20 first start on Vimeo

http://vimeo.com/16117810
 
Enjoy

[71Beige280SL]

That is one very brave gentleman with the flashlight! Sounds and looks fantastic.

[mdsalemi]

That is one very brave gentleman with the flashlight! Sounds and looks fantastic.

Those were my thoughts exactly!  Also, the cameraman!!!

[Iconic]

Michael,
You are way off base. There is no way you will be able to shoe-horn that into a Pagoda....
Thanks for the link !!

[Garry]

Now, thats an engine

[georgem]

Michael,

Aww come on - nothing is impossible  - ok, the bulge in the hood may have to be enlarged a little but ..............