The Lycoming XR-7755
Contracts/Administrative Chronology, 1944
by Kimble D. McCutcheon
Gen Arnold requested that the RCS and PPL review the WPB opinions to insure agreement on the part of all MatCmd offices and submit recommendations to his office. The War Production Board (WPB) in Washington seemed favorably disposed toward the XR-7755 project, being fully cognizant of the need for engines of extremely high power. Gen Arnold further suggested that Lycoming and PPL engineers meet on this topic. On 2 May 1944, Lycoming's A.L. Johnson and Hugh Fenwick visited the PPL to "sell" PPL on going ahead with the contract and facilities. [Penciled notes by J.G. Blackwood. RG 342 RD2311 XR-7755, 1943-1948: 503-602 Conf and Tel Notes. 440501018-440501021.]
8 May 1944. The conference Gen Arnold had ordered was held at the Materiel Center and included representatives Col Gillespie, Chenoweth, Prescott and Blackwood from Wright Field; Hoffman, Heath, Ryder, Strassburg and Johnson from Lycoming; and Lt Col Moriarity, Chapman, and Lee Perkins from the WPB. and Wright Field on Lycoming facilities for development contract. The 2-cylinder testing was no longer required, but 3-cylinder radial and 4-cylinder block testing was required instead. The new dynamometers could be water cooled to give sufficient (450 hp) capacity; Lycoming's old dynamometers (150 – 200 hp) could handle some of the new test requirements. All usable dynamometer equipment from the XH-2470 and BX programs and their related 2- and 1-cylinder test engines were to be included with the new XR-7755 development.
Letter Contract No. W 33-038 ac-564 (11169) resulted from negotiations between Lycoming and MatCmd. This temporary contract covered development of the XR-7755 (Lycoming X-7), a 5,000 hp takeoff rated engine. Lycoming had indicated that certain facilities were required for this contract and had submitted a facilities request that was then being considered by the WPB. This conference was called to establish the necessity of certain items and determine that all parties involved were in common accord on the facilities requirements.
A misunderstanding regarding the new building was cleared up; the WPB had the impression that the new building was intended only for 2-cylinder testing, whereas the building was actually required for 1-, 3-, 4-, and 36-cylinder engine testing, as well as for testing engine components. Most of the machine tools Lycoming had requested were available and not of much value to other production programs. Lycoming stated that the large Bullard lathe would be needed in 60 days for machining the crankcase.
A common understanding of Lycoming requirements was reached and this led to an agreement to proceed with processing the requested facilities with two exceptions:
1) Machine tools not required and
2) 400 hp dynamometer not required as the old 250 hp dynamometer could be water cooled and capable of 450 hp.
The WPB was going to withdraw its objection to the Berol gear and spline grinder, along with the Bullard lathe. [Penciled notes by J.G. Blackwood. RG 342 RD2311 XR-7755, 1943-1948: 503-602 Conf and Tel Notes. 440508090-440508094.]
8 May 1944. Exhibit A
| Maximum Present Rating | 5,000 hp |
| Possible Future Rating | 7,200 hp |
| 1-cylinder testing: | hp = 5,000 / 36 = 140 hp |
| hp = 7,200 / 36 = 200 hp | |
| 3-cylinder testing | hp = 5,000 / 12 = 417 hp |
| hp = 7,200 / 12 = 600 hp | |
| 4-cylinder testing | hp = 5.000 / 9 = 555 hp |
| hp = 7,200 / 9 = 800 hp | |
| 9-cylinder testing | hp = 5,000 / 4 = 1,250 hp |
| hp = 7,200 / 4 = 1,800 hp |
Lycoming had dynamometer capacity from 1,250 to 1,800 hp from previous XH-2470 program.
Exhibit B
12 Aug 1944, Contract W-33-038 ac-564 (11169) with the Aviation Corporation, Lycoming Division, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Approved 18 August 1944 by Brig Gen K.B. Wolfe, Commander, Materiel Command.
AFP 381731, 401826
Classification: 02-A
Cost Plus Fixed Fee Supply Contract with The Aviation Corporation, Lycoming Division (the Contractor)
Estimated Cost: $3,651,575.00; Fixed Fee: $80,000.
Debit ACA 1942-44, 2-4005 P 611-09 A 212/40705 = $1,571,575.00 (1944 funds).
ACA 1942-45, 502-5150 P 611-07 A 212/50705 = $2,080,000.00 (1945 funds).
Program: MX-434
This formal contract supersedes letter contract dated 24 Aug 1943, as amended. (Note: The author has streamlined the contractual "boilerplate" wording.)
Article 1 – Statement of Work
(a) The Contractor shall, within the time specified in Article 4 hereof, perform, manufacture, furnish and deliver to the Government the following services, materials and articles:
Item 2. Design and necessary test work the parts required for single-cylinder performance investigations with previously-designed liquid-cooled cylinders of different sizes (5.250" x 4.750" (the size of the Lycoming O-1230 and H-2470 cylinder), 5.750" x 5.375", 6.125" x 5.375") than were to be used on the XR-7755. The purpose of these investigations shall be to develop design criteria on compression ratio, valve timing, spark timing, exhaust back pressures, various fuels, cylinder pressure at 8.5:1 compression ratio; to develop special techniques and methods for use in determining performance characteristics, and similar items all of which shall relate to the ultimate development of said XR-7755-1 engine, as approved by the PPL. Reports in triplicate covering performance investigations accomplished shall be furnished.
Item 3. Design and necessary test work and parts required for single-cylinder endurance tests during the period ending 1 Sep 1944 on cylinders of the same general design but different sizes than the XR-7755-1 engine (known as BX, 5.750" x 5.250", and short-stroke X-7, 6.375" x 5.375"). These tests shall be directed to the ultimate development of said XR-7755-1 engine and shall not exceed 600 hours of operation; at least 60 hrs of which shall be at takeoff power and speed, 60 hrs at normal power and speed; the remainder to be at or above minimum cruising conditions. Reports in triplicate shall be furnished on the foregoing tests.
Item 4. Engineering studies, design, layout, and detail work covering preliminary design of the said XR-7755-1 engine, meeting the requirements of said Lycoming Specification No. 2020, such design being subject to approval and release by the Commanding General, AAF Materiel Command, Wright Field, or his duly authorized representative. Design reports and blueprints of assembly and detail drawings in triplicate pf the power section of the engine shall be furnished.
Item 5. Design and fabricate a complete mockup of said XR-7755-1 engine described in said Lycoming Specification No. 2020.
Item 6. Rough, semi-finished and finished parts for said XR-7755 engine as released by progress of engineering work specified under Item 4, but in quantities not to exceed those required for 3 engines and the test program called for in this contract.
Item 7. Three sets of rough forgings, castings, and bearings, as required, to make available for fabrication material for 3 complete sets of parts for said XR-7755-1 engine.
A report in triplicate will be furnished as to each test.
Item 10. Provide 3 fuel injection pumps, 12-cylinder, complete with 36 nozzles. This equipment shall be designed for said XR-7755-1 engine.
Item 11. Provide 1 set of fuel injection equipment, complete, suitable for installation on said XR-7755-1 engine.
(c) Tests called for by this contract shall be witnessed by the Government Representative. The Contractor shall give the Government notice a reasonable time in advance of the running of each test so that such representative will be present at the time of the test.
(d) It is understood that the Contractor has been working for a long period of time on the project of developing and engine such as said type XR-7755, and that the Government authorized the Contractor to do such work at the expense of the Government in anticipation of this contract, beginning 28 Jul 1943. It is further understood that said developmental project was until recently designated as the Lycoming X-6 Engine Project. It is agreed that all the terms of this contract shall apply to work of the Contractor done in anticipation of this contract from and after 28 Jul 1943. It is further agreed that that work done subsequent to 28 Jul 1943 by the Contractor in the development of the Lycoming X-6 engine in accordance with the Contractor's Specification No 2020 dated 5 Jul 1943 shall, to the extent that such work is within the scope of the work called for by Items 1 – 11, inclusive of Paragraph (a) of this Article, be considered work done under this contract.
This contract is classified confidential.
Article 2 – Estimated Costs (Based upon data on file in the office of the Commanding General, Army Air Forces.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $213,500.00 |
| 2 | $56,000.00 |
| 3 | $40,000.00 |
| 4 | $260,000.00 |
| 5 | $40,000.00 |
| 6 | $298,000.00 |
| 7 | $75,000.00 |
| 8 | $359,500.00 |
| 9 | $150,000.00 |
| 10 | $18,825.00 |
| 11 | $30,270.00 |
| 12 | $2,000,000.00 |
Article 3 – Consideration.
(c) In the event that prior to final settlement under this contract, the above mentioned Regulations (T.D. 5000) shall have been amended either before or after the effective date of this contract, so as to provide for additional allowable items of cost, such additional items shall be considered allowable items hereunder.
(d) Any cost incurred by the Contractor under the terms of this contract that would constitute an allowable item of cost under the provisions of Paragraph (b) of this Article shall be included in determining the amount payable under this contract, notwithstanding any provisions contained in the specifications or other documents, incorporated in this contract by reference, designating services to be performed or materials to be furnished by the Contractor and its expense or without cost to the Government.
(e) The cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost system of contracting shall not be used by the Contractor in procuring articles, materials, supplies or services required for the performance of this contract.
(f) The Contractor shall, to the extent of its ability, procure materials and services at the most advantageous prices available, with due regard to securing prompt delivery of satisfactory materials, take all cash and trade discounts, rebates, allowances, credits, salvage, commissions and bonifications, and when unable to take advantage of such benefits it shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer to that effect and the reason therefore. In determining the actual net cost of articles and materials of every kind required for the purpose of this contract, there shall be documented from the gross cost thereof all cash and trade discounts, rebates, allowances, credits, salvage, commissions and bonifications that have accrued to the benefit of the Contractor or would have accrued except for the fault or neglect of the Contractor. Such benefits lost through no fault or neglect on the part of the Contractor, or lost through fault of the Government, shall not be deducted from gross costs.
(g) In fixing the amount of the fee called for under the terms of paragraph (a) of this Article, the parties have understood and agreed that, in view of the necessity for increasing war production through subcontracting and in order effectively to carry out this contract, the Contractor will enter into subcontracts for the performance by subcontractors of parts of the work to be performed in connection with the supplies or services to be furnished hereunder. Subject to the providions of paragraph (f) of this Article and to the provisions of Article 27 hereof, any amounts poaid to subcontractors under such subcontracts, including any fees or profits to subcontractors for which such subcontracts may provide, shall constitute allowable items of cost to the Contractor and the Contractor shall be reimbursed for such costs as provided in Article 6 hereof without any reduction by reason thereof in the amount the Contractor's fee called for under the terms of said paragraph (a).
Article 3A – Shipping, Packaging, Marking, Tagging and Labeling Requirements is generic contractual boilerplate defining how business was to be done with the Government.
Article 4 – Delivery.
(a) Work and material called for by the items of Article 1(a) hereof will be completed and delivered in accordance with the following schedule:
| Item | Delivery Schedule |
|---|---|
| 1(a) | ≤ 4 months after contract approval |
| 1(b) | ≤ 5 months after contract approval |
| 1(c) | ≤ 6 months after contract approval |
| 2 | By 1 Oct 1944 |
| 3 | ≤ 30 days after contract approval |
| 4 | ≤ 8 months after contract approval |
| 5 | ≤ 2 months after contract approval |
| 6 | ≤ 8 months after contract approval |
| 7 | ≤ 8 months after contract approval |
| 8 | Each test as soon as possible after XR-7755-1 development permitted such test to be run. Each test report was to be delivered within 30 days after test completion. |
| 9 | ≤ 12 months after contract approval |
| 10 | ≤ 3 months after contract approval |
| 11 | ≤ 12 months after contract approval |
| 12 | As specified in the Exhibits to be attached hereto pursuant to Item 12 of Article 1(a) hereof. |
Article 4(b) through Article 46 are generic contractual boilerplate defining how business was to be done with the Government. [RG 342 RD 2311 XR-7755 Contract W-33-038AC-564. 1st Contract. 002-045.]
Calls
18 Oct 1944. Blackwood released ten calls to Contract W-33-038 ac-564, all dated 30 Aug 1944. Call 1,Exhibit 1 consisting of 10 Call Items to Contract Item 12, was approved on 13 Nov 1944 by Air Corps Contracting Officer 1st Lt Robert B. Thomas.
Call 1 Item 12-1. Necessary design and test work and parts required for 50 hr single-cylinder endurance test of Lycoming XR-7755-1 cylinder at alternating 30 min periods as follows:
| Duration (min) | Rating | rpm | imep (psi) | isfc (lb/hp/hr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Takeoff | 2,600 | 231 | 0.59 |
| 30 | Cruise | 2,200 | 155 | 0.39 |
| 30 | Takeoff | 2,600 | 231 | 0.59 |
| 30 | Cruise | 1,600 | 141 | 0.333 |
In this test the optimum valve timing and spark advance for takeoff, as found in Item 1(a) of this contract, shall be used for the takeoff period. The optimum valve timing and spark advance for intermediate cruise, as found in Item 1(b) of this contract shall be used for all cruising periods. Three test report copies shall be furnished. Delivery = 1 May 1945; estimated cost = $15,431.00.
Call 1 Item 12-2. Necessary design and test work and parts required for 2,000 hours of single-cylinder endurance tests of Lycoming XR-7755-1 cylinder. This item shall cover tests of revised and/or improved designs. At least 200 hrs shall be at or above takeoff power and speed; 200 hrs at or above normal power and speed; the remainder at or above minimum cruising. All ratings shall be as defined in Item 5 below. A maximum of 25% of this time may be accomplished with a short-stroke XR-7755-1 cylinder. Three report copies shall be furnished. Delivery = 1 Sep 1945; estimated cost = $154,326.00.
Call 1 Item 12-3. Necessary design and test work and parts required for 500 hrs of single-cylinder performance investigations with previously designed liquid-cooled cylinders of a different size (5.250" x 4.75"), that that to be used on the Lycoming XR-7755-1. The purposes of these investigations shall be to develop design, criteria on compression ratio, valve timing, spark timing, exhaust back pressures, various fuels and special techniques and methods for use in determining performance characteristics and to determine cylinder pressure at 8.5:1 compression ratio. These investigations shall also cover similar items of work relating to the ultimate development of the Lycoming XR-7755-1 engine, as approved by the PPL. At least 50 hrs shall be at or above takeoff imep and speed and 50 hrs at or above normal imep and speed, the remainder to be at or above minimum cruising conditions; all ratings shall be as defined in Item 5 below. Three report copies shall be furnished. Delivery = 1 Sep 1945; estimated cost = $23,133.00.
Three report copies shall be furnished. Delivery = 1 Sep 1945; estimated cost = $77,162.00.
| Multi- Cylinder | Single- Cylinder | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | bhp | rpm | bmep (psi) | bsfc (lb/hp/hr) | Mechical Efficiency | imep (psi) | isfc (lb/hp/hr) |
| Takeoff | 5,000 | 2,600 | 196 | 0.70 | 0.85 | 231 | 0.595 |
| Military | 5,000 | 2,600 | 196 | 0.69 | 0.85 | 231 | 0.595 |
| Normal | 4,000 | 2,300 | 178 | 0.60 | 0.87 | 205 | 0.522 |
| High Cruising | 3,000 | 2,200 | 139 | 0.40 | 0.90 | 155 | 0.360 |
| Crui 1sing | 2,000 | 1,600 | 128 | 0.37 | 0.90 | 141 | 0.333 |
| Low Cruising | 1,000 | 1,300 | 102 | 0.39 | 0.88 | 89 | 0.336 |
Three report copies shall be furnished. Delivery = 1 Sep 1945; estimated cost = 23,146.00.
Call 1 Item 12-6. Design, layout and detail work covering design of the said Lycoming XR-7755-1 engine, meeting the requirements of Lycoming Specification No. 2020 dated 16 Jun 1944 with such modifications thereto as Contractor and PPL may agree upon. Design reports and blueprints of assembly and detail drawings in triplicate of all except the power section of the engine shall be furnished. Delivery = 1 Mar 1945; estimated cost = $158,582.00.
Call 1 Item 12-7. Design studies in triplicate of the single-speed, two-speed and dual-rotation model reduction ears suitable for the Lycoming XR-7755-1 engine. Prints and design data in triplicate of the detailed design of one of the said propeller reduction gear as selected by the PPL. Delivery = 1 May 1945; estimated cost = $94,761.00.
Call 1 Item 12-8. Completion of rough, semi-finished and finished parts to complete work initiated and partially completed in Item 6 of the contract. Deliveries = 1 May 1945, 1 Jul 1945 and 1 Sep 1945; estimated cost = $854,276.00.
Call 1 Item 12-9. One finished XR-7755-1 parts set for spares. Delivery = 1 Sep 1945; estimated cost = $208,135.00.
Call 1 Item 12-10. Necessary parts to complete two reduction gear units in accordance with the detailed design of the type selected by the Government in Call Item 12-7. Delivery = 1 Mar 1946; estimated cost = $139,819.00.
[RG 342 RD2311. XR-7755\XR-7755 Contract W-33-038AC-564, Contract Calls. 001-013.]
02 Dec 1944. Change Order No. 2. Contract W 33-038 ac-564, Article 1, Paragraph (b), Subparagraph (1), as amended, is hereby changed to read as follows:
As to each part such list shall show the part numbers, nomenclature, number replaced and unit cost of the replacement work.
If, however, the Contractor, due to delay in compiling the list of parts called for above, cannot submit the bi-weekly report with said list attached then the Contractor shall submit sais report on engineering work accomplished as called for and submit the list of parts separately at the earliest possible date thereafter."
2. Except as provided in this Change Order, no adjustment of the estimated cost or fixed price shall be made for or on account of any changes effected hereby.
[RG342 RD2311 XR-7755 Contract W-33-038AC-564 Supp Agreements, CCNs, COs. 441202013-441202014.]
29 Dec 1944. J.G. Blackwood informed Lycoming on behalf of Col Donald J. Keirn, Acting Chief, PPL, Propulsion and Accessories Subdivision, Engineering Division, that Contract W 33-038 ac-564 was to be changed to clearly cover three- and four-cylinder test engines. While these were discussed during contract negotiations and were covered in the original cost estimates, the Government thought clarification was in order in the form of Contract Change Notification Serial No. N-26155.
[RG 342 RD 2311 XR-7755 Contract W-33-038AC-564 Authorizing Correspondence. 003.]