menards wrote:
While I agree that production of R-3350 was enormous, it does not change the fact that it was (is) an unrealible powerplant. Isnt the CAF still having issues with the hybrid? Did that restored DC-7 ever get out of Charlotte after its -3350 expired on takeoff?
I disagree. First, the issue with the EAL DC-7 was a PRT issue, not the engine. While the PRTs were fairly reliable in airline use, like many things with radial engines, they don't like extended periods of not running. Also, the DC-7 is still at CHS and will probably remain there after the crew was unable to obtain funding to repair the engine. This also occurred about the time that the parent company started running into problems due to a loss in work from the continued recession as well that saw them selling several of their other aircraft.
The B-29 engines (both the hybrid and original) do not use PRTs, so this removes them from the equation. Additionally, as was said above - the R3350 is a fairly reliable engine. 1000HRS TBO is about average for current radials (R1830, R2800, R2600) and last I heard, Anderson had said he hoped for 1200-1500HR TBO on the hybrids, which would exceed what you get out of the originals, but as was said before, they've already well surpassed the average TBO from the original engines, so it's more than a smart investment to get the new engines on 'Doc.'