Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
My question is simple how in god's name did they fit an inline water-cooled motor into a space for a radial?
It's not unusual and had been done in several cases:My question is simple how in god's name did they fit an inline water-cooled motor into a space for a radial?
The engine, or engines, still exist. I know for a fact that the NASM has one and possible I saw one at the New England Air Museum...but I may have dreamed that.
That number was wistful thinking that developed into an urban legend. In my book Chrysler Aircraft Engines I explore the actual flight reports in detail and and relate extensive interviews with the engineer who oversaw the flight test program. On page 141, I summarize as follows:So where did the 504 mph figure come from?
The highest speed recorded at military power (3,400 rpm, 71 inHgA) was 380 mph at 11,800 ft. This was achieved on 17 Aug 1945 during flight No. 7. At the 73°C manifold mixture temperature recorded that day, the engine was producing 2,443 hp. No acceptable data was obtained for higher altitudes. The Republic report presents a different value of 393 mph at 20,000 ft,74 but this was derived from unreliable data."
Correct. The XP-47H was nothing but a test bed for the engine. There was little-to-no refinement of the cooling system, cowling, etc. Hence, cooling drag was high. It is counter-intuitive that more air is required to cool a liquid-cooled engine than an air-cooled one. The inlets, outlets, ducting, radiators, etc., must be very carefully designed to handle all that air if cooling drag is minimized.That appears to be similar performance to a P-47D, but using slightly more power.