R-2800: Pratt and Whitney's Dependable Masterpiece (Premiere Series Books)

746 Pages·2001·82.429 MB·English

by  Graham White

Pratt & Whitney's
Dependable Masterpiece
Graham White
This book is on what was arguably
I the finest aircraft piston engine ever produced - the Pratt & Whitney
R-2800. It was an engine that was put together with the invaluable help of
those who were actually there at the drawing boards, in the test cells and at the
test flights. An aircraft engine, however, does not stand alone. R-2800: Pratt &
s
Whitney Dependable Masterpiece provides a background of Pratt & Whitney,
and delves into the design challenges faced by its engineers when building the
R-2800; answering questions like, "How did the airframe designers mount the
engine?"; or "How was the intercooler supplied with cooling air?" In addition,
this comprehensive book covers propellers, carburetors, and the many famous
and not so famous aircraft the R-2800 powered.
From the Preface ...
As the heyday of the R-2800 is rapidly becoming a fond memory, the younger
generation needs to realize how commercial and military aviation gained
prominence in this country thanks to the R-2800. Today's generation, raised
on the pungent stink of kerosene and the
high pitched whine of a gas turbine's
compressor, can take solace in knowing
that at one time the wonderful aroma of
burned oil and high performance fuel
used to waft through airports along with
that wonderful, loping idle of the
R-2800, or its ferocious roar at takeoff
power. That they dripped oil, and always
looked messy with exhaust stains and oil
leaks only added to th~ir charisma.
R-2800: Pratt & Whitney's Dependable
Masterpiece examines the piston pow
ered engine that helped lead a nation to
victory in war, and the men and women
whose hard work and dedication made it
possible. Topics covered in this
book include:
• Why Radials?
• Pratt & Whitney History and
Background
• R-2800 Development
• Model Types & Specifications
• Carburetors
• Propellers
• Installations
• Military Applications
• Commercial Applications
• Helicopters
• Operating, Service Difficulties
and Overhaul
• Racing
• The Future
About the Author. ..
Graham White was born in 1945 and
spent his formative years in England
where he got his start in aviation by
racing U control model airplanes. Since
then, he has spent much of his time
researching and learning about the
various piston powered aircraft engines
that he adores so much. In addition to
owning and restoring an R-2800,
Graham's collection also includes an
ultra-rare Continental IV-1430 Hyper
engine; a Packard built Rolls-Royce
Merlin, and two Pratt & Whitney
R-4360s. Graham is also author of the
SAE Bestseller Allied Aircraft Piston
Engines of World War II (R-154).
R-2800
Pratt & Whitney's
Dependable Masterpiece
Other SAE books
Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II
By Graham White
(Order No. R-154)
German Aircraft Industry and Production, 1933-1945
By Ferenc A. Vajda and Peter Dancey
(Order No. R-236)
The World's Most Significant and Magnificent Aircraft
Evolution of the Modern Airplane
By David B. Thurston
(Order No. R-285)
For more information or to order this book, contact SAE at 400 Commonwealth Drive,
Warrendale, PA 15096-0001; [phone]; fax [phone]; e-mail: [email protected];
web site: www.sae.org/BOOKSTORE.
R-2800
Pratt & Whitney's
Dependable Masterpiece
Graham White
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
White, Graham, 1945-
R-2800 : Pratt & Whitney's dependable masterpiece I Graham White.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7680-0272-9
1. Airplanes-Motors-Design and construction-History. 2. Air cooled engines
Design and construction-History. 3. Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Group-History. I. Title.
TL703.P7 W45 2001
629.134'35'0973-dc21
2001020429
Copyright © 2001 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.
400 Commonwealth Drive
Warrendale, PA 15096-0001 U.S.A.
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.sae.org
ISBN 0-7680-0272-9
All rights reserved. Printed in Canada
Permission to photocopy for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted
by SAE for libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), provided that the
base fee of $.50 per page is paid directly to CCC, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923. Special requests
should be addressed to tl1e SAE Publications Group. 0-7680-0272-9/01-$.50.
SAE Order No. R-241
Dedicated to my wonderful wife Diane who has always supported me in my various endeavors
Contents
Foreword ............................................................................................................................................ ix
Preface .............................................................................................................................................. xi
Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................ xv
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... xix
Chapter 1 Why Radials? ................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 2 Pratt & Whitney History and Background ....................................................................... 9
Chapter 3 R-2800 Development ...................................................................................................... 21
Chapter 4 Variations ...................................................................................................................... 125
Chapter 5 Model Types & Specifications ..................................................................................... 225
Chapter 6 Carburetors ................................................................................................................... 299
Chapter 7 Propellers ...................................................................................................................... 317
Chapter 8 Installations ................................................................................................................... 365
Chapter 9 Military Applications ..................................................................................................... 375
Chapter 10 Commercial Applications ............................................................................................ 563
Chapter 11 Helicopters .................................................................................................................. 601
Chapter 12 Operating, Service Difficulties and Overhaul ............................................................. 617
Chapter 13 Racing ......................................................................................................................... 655
Chapter 14 The Future .................................................................................................................. 663
Color Section ................................................................................................................................... C 1
Index ............................................................................................................................................... 669
About the Author ............................................................................................................................ 717
vii