Warbird Information Exchange

At the shop I work at, we have an inverted Ranger engine. It's been sitting in the corner for the entire time I've worked there and I was told many years before that. I'm pretty sure there is no log book with it. It most likely will need some overhaul, but from what I can tell it's all there. The fact of the matter is, we don't have a use for it, and I'm sure someone else does. What's it's approximate value of it so we can try to pass it on?

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Curtis: A model number and dash number are needed to start with. Also, what all is with it? Is it hanging on a mount or in a crate; complete core motor or are internals missing....and so on. Ranger built 6's and 12's with various dash numbers, with the dash indicating configuration and hp. Logs will make some difference in value too.

I kind of figured I'd need to provide some more info. I've got to dig the thing out so I can get a good look at it myself. I usually have my camera on me so I'll shoot some photos and put them up. It may be a few days though.

Thanks for the interest.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

These are photos of the engine in question. I was told it has sat in this spot for at least the last 10 years, and I've only uncovered it one other time before. I didn't even remember it having the military data plate.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Those data plates are always a bit of humor aren't they? The tag says Air Corps number (which implies Army), yet it has a naval acceptance stamp. Anyhow, it was likely in a Cornell or Widgeon of RCAF as evidenced by the RCAF stamp and since it has a Pesco or Chaco fuel pump. Has a vacuum pump so may rule out PT. It is 7.5:1 Compression and civil C5 so it is the 200 hp (according to plate). The starter is worth $300 or so, the rear cone up front on prop shaft (Rangers didn't use front cones on hubs) is $40 if unhurt. Has complete Bendix breadbox mags @$75 each core. Pending your location and someone who wants it local, $800 - $1100 is my opinion. Good engine, but select users. You are more likely to find a user among the Fairchild 24 crowd. That is opinion.

When I first looked at Curtis's photo of the Ranger plate the provenance seemed quite clear to me, but it was Wheels up's posting that prompted me to respond.

I could not begin to suggest the engine's current or potential value, but without the logs or an examination to discover it's condition or the number of previous overhauls I imagine it would not amount to much. Perhaps, a useful museum object or something to mount in an engineless static exhibit. It may be the engine has previously been overhauled more than once. An engineer with a good experience of Ranger engines would be able to guide you.

Looking at the data plate all the clues are there.
This engine was part of Lend-Lease order. Cannot comment much on the US Navy inspection stamp but I have seen a similar stamp on other ex-RCAF Ranger engines. There is a number alongside I believe it may identifiy the department or Inspector. The Lend-Lease program included both USAAF and the USN types and therefore there may have Naval inspectors permanently attached to the Ranger plant authorised to carry out inspection and approval more than just Naval porcurements. Both 6 cyl and 12 cyl Ranger engines were being made to both USN and Lend-Lease orders.

As has been pointed out by Cvairwerks this is a 200 hp Ranger 6-440C-5. The Contract No. DA-W535-ac-802 covered 400 Fairchild Cornell Mk.I (PT-26) with RAF serials FH651 to FH999 and FJ650 to FJ700. Presumably this engine was either fitted to one of that batch, or possibly as a spare engine supplied with that order.

As with many Lend-Lease supplied aircraft, the engines have multiple identities: The manufacturer's serial no. is 3077. The USAAF serial no. is 42-85013 and the DOM is November 20, 1942. At some stage the Ranger was assigned an RCAF serial no. 27186 -- rather difficult to be read but that RCAF s/no. would likely match the m.s.n. 3077.

It is very likely that after, say, 1,000 hours the Ranger was removed from the Cornell Mk.I and overhauled. The Cornell then received a new, or overhauled Ranger and continued in service or reserve storage. After Ranger no. 3077/27186 had been overhauled it may well have been fitted in another Cornell. Looking at the RCAF Cornell record cards I can see Ranger engine serial nos, close to this having been fitted to Cornell Mk.IIs that were transferred to the USA for surplus sale in 1946/47. The engine. nos. shown on the RCAF record card are those fitted at the time of disposal and probably not the same engine fitted when the aircraft left the factory.

Looking at four Cornell record cards for examples.:
Cornell Mk.I FH652, the first to the RCAF. Sold in 1947 - Time since new 801.00 hrs. Time since overhaul N/A. Ranger nos. 3007/27118.

Cornell Mk.I FH653. Returned to USA in 1946 - Time since new 1163.00 hrs. Time since overhaul 3.00 hrs. Ranger Nos. 7500/24349.

It may be FH652, having flown only 801 hours, retained it's original engine - whereas FH653 at 1163 hours had a replacement/overhauled engine fitted.

Cornell Mk.I FH706 did not survive to be sold off - it crashed in Quebec whilst serving at No.3 Flying Instructors School, Arnprior, Ontario. in January 1943. The card records the s/nos. of the engine fitted at the time of the crash... "Ranger 2921/42-84857/27102".
You will notice both m.s.n. and AAF s/nos are 156 lower than serials stamped on the plate in Curtis's photograph.

Cornell Mk.II 10644 (part of an RCAF order and not Lend-Lease order). Sold in 1946 - Hours not recorded. Ranger nos. 3067/27176.
Similarly the m.s.n. and the RCAF s/no. are just 10 lower than serials stamped on the plate in Curtis's photograph.

Hope this is of interest, Tony Broadhurst

M-62A,

Very interesting information.

So I noticed from your post that you seem to know where to get RCAF record cards. I've been trying to find out how to get those for a while now. Would you care to enlighten me on that process. I would appreciate your help in that immensely.

As for the engine, I had brought up the idea of getting rid of the thing and the owners son agreed it would be a good idea. It's not that I don't like it, I'd just rather see it go to someone who would use it than have it sit around and get in the way. If any one would like to make an offer let me know and I'll pass it on. I'll probably also end up putting it down in the parts market.

Thanks for the info guys.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Yes that was some very interesting bit of info.

Do you have any idea about the condition of the engines internals, Curtis? Meaning, have you
oiled 'er up and attempted to turn the crank to get a feel for it? Leakdown to see how "even"
the cylinders read? Does it have spark plugs or the dessicant plugs? This is the fun part in
finding an old engine, and an idea of condition can be passed on to an interested party.
Paperwork is great if you have it, but it only gives the history up to some point and it's not a problem
in the experimental category stuff.

Dunno what part of the country your at, but you might contact these folks at VAHF in the following link.
They use the Rangers in some of their WWI replicas. Bonus in the link is a video of the 80hp
LeRhone runup and first flight of their Dr.I replica last month. Contact info is at the bottom of the page...
www.vintageaviation.org

Might check out somefolks at www.enginehistory.org if no flyguys are interested? Might even be a member
nearby interested in a groundrun Ranger display?

I certainly would love to have the Ranger, but it ain't in the budget right now. Heck, if it was my find in a barn
it'd just end up in my barn taking up space...but they're neat to have around for "ambience" til
'round2it comes!

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

Tony IS Mr. Fairchild!

He helped me a couple of years ago, to find the identity of my PT-19 project.

Saludos,


Tulio

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Why take the best part of life out of your life, when you can have life with the best part of your life in your life?

I am one of them 'futbol' people.

Will the previous owner has pics of this double cabin sample

GOOD MORNING, WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Press "1" for English.
Press "2" to disconnect until you have learned to speak English.

Sooooo, how am I going to know to press 1 or 2, if I do not speak English????

Curtis,
I have sent you a PM. I am not aware of the current arrangements, but hope my message may help you.

Tulio,
Thank you for the kind comments and hope your project is progressing well.
Tony Broadhurst