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Any Curtiss engines flying?

Thu Nov 16, 2017 6:45 pm

No, I'm not referring to Curtis Wright radials or even OX-5/OXX-6s and the like...rather D-12s, Conqueors etc.

For that matter any early 1920s-30s (non-Merlin) Packard power plants out there...even in non-flying running condition?

I'd hazard a guess if anyone has one it would be Glenn Peck in Missouri.

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:34 pm

Here are some D-12 equipped designs:
http://aerofiles.master.com/texis/maste ... rtiss+d-12
And Curtiss Conqueror types:
http://aerofiles.master.com/texis/maste ... ch%3A&s=SS

From Aerofiles:
Curtiss-Rolls? "Strange thing, isn't it, that the USA has never recognized Glenn Curtiss as by far the greatest man America has ever produced in Aviation? ... And the D-12 engines, from which the Rolls Falcon, and ultimately the Merlin, are descended ... So far as I know, there is nobody in the world who has claim to have influenced aircraft design and production as he did or had done ..." Charles Grey, founder and editor of The Aeroplane 1911-1939; editor of Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1916-1941, and an Englishman (c.1950).

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:40 pm

Yes, the engines were ubiquitous in the "golden age"...hence my question.

I realize most if the OE a.c. are airworthy...or even statically...extinct. But there are a few lesser-known flyers out there.

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:08 pm

How about a floater?
https://www.boatingmag.com/go-fast-blas ... -12#page-2
or a replica?
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa-museum/museu ... ---nx606pe

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Sat Nov 18, 2017 6:56 am

The D-12 had nothing to do with the R-R Falcon, which was a WWI design powering the Bristol F2 and others. Separate cylinders, not a block.

But the D-12 directly inspired the R-R Kestrel -- the Air Ministry was appalled at having an American engine in the Fairey Fox, and having the D-12 engine built under license in the UK. So they commissioned R-R and also Napier for a similar engine.

Whereupon R-R stole Napier's Chief Designer, Arthur Rowledge, and thus won the competition.

Dave

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Sat Nov 18, 2017 8:29 am

Dave Hadfield wrote:

But the D-12 directly inspired the R-R Kestrel --

Wasn't it just the manufacturing technique (the cast block) that was copied? that was the engine advancement Curtis achieved, there was nothing else that inspired the Kestrel from the D-12, RR already built there own 60 deg V12 aero engines before the D-12

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Sat Nov 18, 2017 11:31 am

There is a Packard diesel radial engine surviving on a Stinson airframe. It used to be at the New England Air Museum but I can't remember where it was sent.

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:08 pm

A cast block was difficult to do then. There are all sorts of channels and passages inside for oil and water and pistons. Quite intricate.

The Curtiss was the spur. But Rowledge then added supercharging, a geared down prop, and allowed for higher octane fuels.

This was state of the art at the time.

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Mon Nov 20, 2017 1:51 pm

airknocker wrote:How about a floater?
https://www.boatingmag.com/go-fast-blas ... -12#page-2
or a replica?
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa-museum/museu ... ---nx606pe


If I remember correctly what I read about the P6 replica in Sport Aviation about 25 years ago (had the great fortune to see it in Oshkosh in 1993), the project almost came to nothing due the more-or-less non-availability of a correct engine. Probably one of the most rare engine types today..

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Mon Nov 20, 2017 2:41 pm

John Dupre wrote:There is a Packard diesel radial engine surviving on a Stinson airframe. It used to be at the New England Air Museum but I can't remember where it was sent.


http://www.goldenwingsmuseum.com/

http://www.goldenwingsmuseum.com/collec ... n-Det.html

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Mon Nov 20, 2017 7:40 pm

As far as I know, the Packard diesel Stinson Detroiter was never at the New England Ait Museum, but did spend many years at the museum now known as The Henry Ford.

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Mon Nov 27, 2017 1:37 pm

Curtiss Challenger engines are still around on some Robins:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_Robin

Re: Any Curtiss engines flying?

Mon Nov 27, 2017 9:19 pm

Went to NEAM on Friday. They have a Guiberson Diesel Engine; T-1020, on display.

Phil
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