Warbird Information Exchange

Gary,

The R-2600s were adapted to the airframe after their military service. The nacelles for the original set-up are elliptical, but the inlets are top and bottom on the PB4Y instead of on the sides on the B-24, and there isn't a turbo on the Privateer.

PB4Y-2:


B-24/PB4Y-1:


I don't think anyone has ever found a complete set of original cowlings for the stock Privateer engines. At least that is one of the explanations I've heard that explains why the Pensacola example still has the R-2600 QECs. In a perfect world it would be great to have the 1830s, but the 2600s won't look bad after she is painted. After working with '927s cowlings and nacelles, I'd think it would be quite a project to fabricate four complete cowlings with all the associated flaps, ring cowls, etc. even if they had a pattern set.

I have contemplated the fate of the 1830 firewall forwards when the big engines were first installed. I'd imagine the cowlings and mounts went in the dumpster after a time.

No one has found a complete set ? oh come on, I saw enough cowling to equip several PB4Y-2 at the H&P auction in Greybull.




I believe Aerotrader bought them, no one else bid on them.
The -94 Pratts are hard to find, but, like the cowls, they are out there.

Contact Aerotrader and see what they know?

Excellent photos, Matt! I knew they had to have gone somewhere all those years ago. When we visited Pensacola some time ago the "unavailability" of the nacelle and cowling parts was given as a reason they hadn't re-engined their airplane. Now I see that the pieces do exist. I learn something every day I'm on this website.

Scott

Well Now this is Way Very Cool that she could possibly return to a complete PB4Y with the correct nacelles. The question is, are the guys paying for this reserection will to approach AeroTrader to obtain the correct nacelles?

_________________
Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

I would think five rebuilt -94's would be the bigger part of that picture!

Besides, 2600's make louder chugga chugga noises.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Ahhhhh, the ole Pratt & Whitney R-1830-94s Well now, is this powerplant in abundence? surely there are some out there, maybe someone would "donate" a few (like 4), and maybe, ifin someone knew one of the bigshots at P&W, maybe over a round of golf, and a pause that the 19th hole, side trip to Hooters for wings and "things" , they (P&W) would be cool enough to sponsor the rebuilds??

_________________
Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Can't wait to see this one completed...

the -94 is a odd ball version, and as far as I know, it was only used on the 4Y. There are several DC-3s flying with them as part of a horsepower upgrade.

Thanks to all for all the compliments on behalf of Lone Star. Matt has answered the question of cowlings but the official word from the top is that the R2600s will stay because of the cost and engineering work to go back to the Pratts. Also the big auction at Greybull made lots of R-2600 operators happy including LS.
The windshield will stay for the time being. It's apparently in airworthy cond. so that's a job for later.
My friend Mark O'Connell in SoCal flew Charlie 30 for one or two summers in the late sixties when it was owned by the late George Stell. Mark said that it had the Wrights on it already and that "They were loud but the extra power saved our bacon a few times."
At 6'2", I don't think I can fit into any of the turrets on it except maybe the dorsals.
Matt, how's that A-26 oil cooler these days?

Doug

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"I love the smell of 100LL in the morning."

no idea, I walked away from all of Hans's planes when I was not allowed to give them the care they needed. It was a question of I do things my way since it is my certs and butt on the line

Just got a chance to read the article and was pleasantly surprised to see it may now get the tri color scheme as opposed to the dark sea blue scheme I thought it was getting.

Awesome!

Oooohhh..I would definately vote for tricolor (as long as it's not colors as a certain Hellcat.) Although I understand that for a flying aircraft, overall dark blue would probably be easier to maintain. Either one is fine with me..I'm just looking forward to seeing her back in the air (I got to see her make a few flights out of Jeffco while she was working a fire west of Denver back in the mid 80s.)

SN

I got a ? for the LSFM.
When she is restored to flying status. Will she tour ? Being a one of a kind flying that is. I bet that she would draw a crowd

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Always Keep Em Flying !

Glen

Lookie Capt Jim! Wham! Wham! ...............................Termights

Touring would be cool Specially if she could be hooked up with 927 and a B-17, and when the PBJ comes on line

_________________
Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.