2013 Restoration Attempt
This is the Curtiss-Wright R-3350 Turbo Compound 18-cylinder, twin row, radial engine that powers the DC-7. The R-3350 first flew in 1941 , and it remained in production until 1960. Over the years its power rating grew from 2200 HP to 3700 HP. During WW2 it powered the B-29 and numerous military aircraft after that. In 1952, Wright released the engine for commercial use with their new turbo-compounding system (the engine was available with the turbo compound system a couple of years prior but was restricted to US military use only). This system directed cylinder exhaust gases to three Power Recovery Turbines (PRTs). These PRTs returned up to 600 HP to the engine’s crankshaft.
The R-3350 Turbo Compound engine was a commercial success with airliner manufacturers like Douglas and Lockheed. It was powerful, reliable, and economical to operate. At the time its only competition was the Pratt & Whitney R-4360; a 28-cylinder, four row, radial engine. And while the R-4360 produced more horsepower (up to 4300 HP) it proved to be rather unreliable with very high maintenance and operating costs.
Over the years the R-3350 powered airplanes such as the XB-19, the B-29 Superfortress, the B-32 Dominator, the A-1 Skyraider, the C-119 Flying Boxcar, the F8F Bearcat, the Hawker Seafury, the P-2 Neptune, the Martin Mars, the Lockheed Constellation, the DC-7, and others.
The engine shown above was photographed during the 2013 restoration effort. It was either the replacement or the replaced engine. What you see there is referred to as a Quick Change Package. It has all the engine accessories preinstalled with an engine mount. The idea is to decrease the work involved in an engine change. As an old Chief Mechanic once told me (tongue-in-cheek), "You simply unbolt the old one and bolt on the new one."
Photo: Olympus OM2/Zuiko 50mm f1.8/Yellow filter/Ilford HP5/Adinol 1:50@09:50min@20C
2013 Restoration Attempt
This is the Curtiss-Wright R-3350 Turbo Compound 18-cylinder, twin row, radial engine that powers the DC-7. The R-3350 first flew in 1941 , and it remained in production until 1960. Over the years its power rating grew from 2200 HP to 3700 HP. During WW2 it powered the B-29 and numerous military aircraft after that. In 1952, Wright released the engine for commercial use with their new turbo-compounding system (the engine was available with the turbo compound system a couple of years prior but was restricted to US military use only). This system directed cylinder exhaust gases to three Power Recovery Turbines (PRTs). These PRTs returned up to 600 HP to the engine’s crankshaft.
The R-3350 Turbo Compound engine was a commercial success with airliner manufacturers like Douglas and Lockheed. It was powerful, reliable, and economical to operate. At the time its only competition was the Pratt & Whitney R-4360; a 28-cylinder, four row, radial engine. And while the R-4360 produced more horsepower (up to 4300 HP) it proved to be rather unreliable with very high maintenance and operating costs.
Over the years the R-3350 powered airplanes such as the XB-19, the B-29 Superfortress, the B-32 Dominator, the A-1 Skyraider, the C-119 Flying Boxcar, the F8F Bearcat, the Hawker Seafury, the P-2 Neptune, the Martin Mars, the Lockheed Constellation, the DC-7, and others.
The engine shown above was photographed during the 2013 restoration effort. It was either the replacement or the replaced engine. What you see there is referred to as a Quick Change Package. It has all the engine accessories preinstalled with an engine mount. The idea is to decrease the work involved in an engine change. As an old Chief Mechanic once told me (tongue-in-cheek), "You simply unbolt the old one and bolt on the new one."
Photo: Olympus OM2/Zuiko 50mm f1.8/Yellow filter/Ilford HP5/Adinol 1:50@09:50min@20C