Warbird Information Exchange

I'm just curious, but ISTR having read off & on that most racing engines put out between 4,000 & 5,000 horses. That's a lot of power! Anyway, is that about right? More specifically, what about the typical racing Merlin? Griffon? R-2800 (if any are used now)? How about the R-3350 & R-4360? Seems like the 3350 is more common than the 4360. I'm guessing the 3350 can generate as much as the 4360 but in a smaller package (both physical size & weight). I'd also suspect that long crankshaft in the 4360's doesn't tolerate all that hard work in such a short time well, too.

Sorry can't really help with answers to all your questions but you might find this an interesting read:

http://www.enginehistory.org/rolls-royce.htm

Titled "One Second in the Life of Racer." by Tom Fey

Cheers

Mark

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Is it big, round, loud and belch flame?

Very interesting.

Eric

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

Are the race engines dyno'ed? If so, at what power?

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Some very good stuff here:

http://warbirdaeropress.com/articles/Mo ... s/Mods.htm

http://warbirdaeropress.com/articles/Dr ... ought2.htm

It might be obvious to say, but of course lots of the competitive racers aren't telling... Would you expect Ferrari to fess up? (oops).

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Some of the large radial's have a torquemeter that will measure the applied torque, and thus HP output. The smaller engines like the V-12s can be run on a dynamometer, and also since they are liquid cooled its easier to run without a propeller, and control temperature etc.

I've heard (from a crew member) 5000hp+ for RareBear when the NO2 is flowing... & that was about 8 years ago...

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Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.