I know there has been 79 years of human progress, but I don't think there has been anything sexier made since the P51 Mustang with a 1650 cubic inch supercharged V12!

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Originally posted by ibanda:
I know there has been 79 years of human progress, but I don't think there has been anything sexier made since the P51 Mustang with a 1650 cubic inch supercharged V12!

Let me introduce you to the five bladed, Griffon powered Spitfire.

Here's one with a teardrop canopy.

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Originally posted by Tailhook 84:

quote:

Originally posted by ibanda:
I know there has been 79 years of human progress, but I don't think there has been anything sexier made since the P51 Mustang with a 1650 cubic inch supercharged V12!

Let me introduce you to the five bladed, Griffon powered Spitfire.

Here's one with a teardrop canopy.

That engine/propeller combination was so powerful it had the effect of making the aircraft somewhat longitudinally unstable until a new tail was designed!

Thanks for the post. I really liked the look of the Spits (and P-51's) with the Malcolm Hood.

As for Unlimited Hydroplane races. I was super lucky to have gone to Hydroplane races at the Miami Marine Stadium in the early 80's when they were still racing those motors. Only a few were running the new turbines (both of which caught fire).

And to completely derail this, got to see Jimmy Buffett play at the same stadium, just before hurricane Andrew destroyed it.

I wonder what increase in power and efficiency and reduction in weight we could achieve now if the top engineers and scientists were designing piston aircraft engines and no jet engines? In other words, what would the state of the art be now, if it hadn't frozen in time 70 years ago?

Fun video.

What a cool video.

Thanks for sharing.

Yes, a great video. Those engines must have been state of the art as well as a piece of artwork. Built in the Packard plant in Detroit, no less.

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Originally posted by jhe888:
I wonder what increase in power and efficiency and reduction in weight we could achieve now if the top engineers and scientists were designing piston aircraft engines and no jet engines? In other words, what would the state of the art be now, if it hadn't frozen in time 70 years ago?

Fun video.

A great deal.

Aluminum blocks, progressive supercharging, Fuel Injection, multiple valve and variable valve-train geometry are but a few things that proved greater power to rate and efficiency of power production.

quote:

Originally posted by Micropterus:
You can tell whether a P-40 has an Allison or a Merlin by whether or not it has a carb air intake scoop on the top of the engine cowling just behind the propellor. If it has a scoop, Allison. If not, Merlin.

Learn something new every day.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
I wonder what increase in power and efficiency and reduction in weight we could achieve now if the top engineers and scientists were designing piston aircraft engines and no jet engines? In other words, what would the state of the art be now, if it hadn't frozen in time 70 years ago?

Fun video.

A great deal.

Aluminum blocks, progressive supercharging, Fuel Injection, multiple valve and variable valve-train geometry are but a few things that proved greater power to rate and efficiency of power production.

I have no doubt. We'll probably never know.