In the Summer 2003 Issue of
The Development of Early Turbojet Engines
Peter Berry traces the history of early turbojets and the three design
concepts—the reverse-flow centrifugal, the straight-through centrifugal and the
axial-flow —that helped revolutionise post-war aviation.
Use of 100LL Fuel In Warbird Engines
In the 1970s environmental concerns and regulations practicality dictated
that lead compounds be removed from fuels for vehicles powered by reciprocating
engines. Subsequently the introduction and use of unleaded fuel has been nearly
universally adopted within the United States, and is rapidly spreading
throughout the rest of the world.1 A part of this movement has affected aviation
as well, although the complete elimination of lead from aviation fuels has not
occurred for some very good reasons.
A large number of the aircraft powered by reciprocating engines were built in
the last half of the 20th Century and utilize engines that were designed using
technology developed in the 1940s and 1950s. These aircraft and their engines
are expensive and irreplaceable, though their numbers are few in comparison to
the millions of automobiles built each year and the quantities of fuel cars
consume. As a result there are significant financial incentives to not obsolete
the aircraft by eliminating the fuel needed to operate them, and accept the
comparatively minimal environmental impact.
The Curtiss-Wright R-1820 Cyclone
If you were a child during the years 1964 through 1969, your introduction to
the sights and sounds of the Curtiss-Wright R-1820 Cyclone may have been the
popular television series “Twelve O'clock High”. Because of that series, a whole
generation of kids learned about radial engines with their smoky starts and
monotonous low drone. Then restored Boeing B-17s started touring the air show
circuit and "Warbird" entered the lexicon of aviation enthusiasts everywhere.
Today, Cyclones are commonplace in air show B-17s, T-28s, and the occasional
F4F.
Much has been written about the design, development, production and application of the Wright Cyclone. This article aims to illuminate its evolution by describing some its more obscure ancestors and to survey the advances in technology that allowed it to more than quadruple its original power.
Chinese Choice
Warbird fans worldwide are anxiously awaiting the first flight of one of
twelve replica-built Focke-Wulf FW 190 A-8 N (N means new) at German Flugwerk
Company deep in the Bavarian countryside. First flight is due in summer 2003.
Meanwhile, Torque Meter is offering a technical view at the impressive Huosai
HS-7 powerplant, which is very similar to the famous BMW 801 two-row radial of
the former FW 190 A-series.
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